July is when blueberries come into season, both wild and grown in tall shrubs. Depending on how the weather has been and where you live in the country, it can be anytime from the beginning of the month to the first few weeks. Here are some tips for visiting a blueberry farm.
Call before you leave / check website
If you’re not sure what the farm hours are, or what the weather might be like, or if they can accommodate your Uncle Charlie’s wheelchair, call first. There is nothing more disappointing than driving there, especially if you have to drive a long way, only to find that you made your trip in vain. The farm is more than happy to answer any questions you have before hand over the phone. The weather is somewhat fickle and it may not be raining at your house, but an hour away it could be pouring rain. On a similar note, check to see if the farm has a website or Facebook page. Often times the information you need will be listed directly on the page. They will tell you what their policies are, what the weather conditions are, what they are currently choosing, and what their hours are.
Leave your strollers / large bags / pets / buckets at home
Strollers are awkward to maneuver through the rows of a blueberry farm, and the terrain is often rough. It also makes it difficult for farm staff to be on the lookout for potential “thieves.” The same goes for large bags. If you must bring a large bag, plan to leave it secured in the trunk of your car while you are picking up.
Most farms have a no pet policy. This is for the safety of visitors and any animals they may have on your farm. Please leave your dogs at home.
You bought the cute berry baskets from the local basket making company. You have cubes that your great-aunt Sheila collected when she was a child. His family has been using the same buckets for decades. Keep them at home and put them on display, or take them on a hike and use them to pick wild berries. Most farms that choose their own farms provide you with buckets to use and have policies that prevent you from using yours.
Visit early in the day
Blueberries thrive in warm, sunny conditions, and the fields in which they grow offer very little shade. The temperature may only read 82 ° F on the thermostat, but in the country sun it will feel much hotter. On top of that, the bushes retain heat and it’s easy to overheat on a very hot day. The best time to pick is in the morning, before the berries get too hot. After noon on a day when the temperatures rise to the 80s and 90s, the berries will be warm and soft and, once you get home, they won’t keep as well.
Wear a hat and bring water
A large floppy hat that keeps the sun off your face and neck is the best option. If all you have is a baseball cap, it will surely work too. The goal is to keep the sun off your head and to give you some shade and coolness. Picking blueberries isn’t hard work, but on a hot day you can quickly dehydrate in the heat of the field. Drinking plenty of water will keep you safe and allow you to enjoy your time on the farm.
Leave the bag in the bucket
If your farm gives you a bucket with a plastic bag, please leave it there. You may have read Blueberries for Sal with your kids before you go, and they want to hear the “plink, plink, plink” like in the book, but after a handful or two of berries, they aren’t going to drop anyway. The bag is there to help staff weigh your berries when you are done harvesting and so you can take them home safely and easily. Those buckets may have been on the farm for a long time and could be a bit dirty and rusty. You don’t want your hard-picked berries right on them now, right?
It’s choosing your own, not self-service
Of course, you should try SOME berries to make sure you like the variety you are picking, especially if you have multiple varieties to choose from. Selling berries is the farmer’s livelihood, and if you eat as many berries as you pick, you’re essentially stealing them. Pick to your heart’s delight, then take the berries home and enjoy them.