Blueberries!

Tips, Facts, Varieties, U-Pick, Recipies

U-Pick Season

  • Blueberry picking is generally available mid-July to late August depending on the year’s weather.

  • Season 2018 will start July 5 with the Duke variety, followed by the Northland and Bluecrop.

  • Picking is daily from 8:00am until 5:30pm, 7 days of the week.

  • Visa, Mastercard and debit are accepted.

  • Containers for picking are provided.

  • The field is closed in case of lightening and severe weather in the area.

Blueberry FAQ

  • When will fresh blueberries be available?

    Fresh blueberries are usually available mid-July to late August.

  • Are containers available for U-Pick?

    Yes. We provide containers for pick your own berries.

  • What are the methods of payment?

    Cash, Debit, Visa and Mastercard.

  • How should I store berries?

    Fresh picked, farm direct blueberries will keep up to two weeks in the refrigerator, and two years in the freezer. There is no need to wash blueberries as this removes the berry’s natural protective waxy coating, or bloom. Do not add sugar as this toughens the skin when storing. Simply place berries into airtight containers, leaving about a half inch of head space, then cool or freeze. If you prefer to freeze your berries individually and then package, that works great too- just remember not to wash them until they thaw.

  • Are pets allowed in the field or store?

    Pets are not allowed for food safety compliance concerns. A working guide dog, in harness, is the exception.

Health Tips

The following are some helpful information on the health benefits of blueberries.

  • When you think of healthy lifestyle think of Blueberries from a Local source. Blueberries have long been recognized as a nutritious and healthful food choice.  Over the last decade, they have earned increasing acclaim as one of nature’s super-fruits.  Studies worldwide are resulting in exciting and significant findings.  Blueberries are now linked with improvements in memory, motor skills, vision, cardiovascular and urinary tract along with cancer prevention, and a reduction in the effects of aging.
  • Blueberries are rated tops in antioxidant activity when compared to 40 other fresh fruits.  USDA lab at Tufts University in Boston  researchers have found that the Antioxidants in fruits help neutralize harmful by- products of metabolism called free radicals that can lead to cancer and other age-related diseases.
  • How did they do it?
    Anthocyanin (from the Greek anthos for plant and kyanos for blue) are ke.  Anthocyanins have incredible antioxidant power!
  • Another blueberry benefit is that it can prevent and alleviate urinary tract infection. Blueberries create a ‘teflon’ effect, prohibiting the growth of bacteria by preventing bacteria’s adherence to urinary tract walls.
  • Blueberries are packed with vitamin C. In just one half cup serving, you can get 14 mg of Vitamin C – almost 25 percent of your daily requirement. Vitamin C aids the formation of collagen and helps maintain healthy gums and capillaries. It also promotes iron absorption and a healthy immune system.
  • Blueberries are an excellent source of manganese. Manganese plays an important role in bone development and in converting the proteins, carbohydrates and fats of food into energy – a perfect job for blueberries.(http://www.blueberrycouncil.org/health-benefits-of-blueberries/)
  • There is also a powerful connection between blueberries and memory. Research has shown that blueberries might help reverse the short term memory loss that often comes with aging. Blueberries are thought to be a key in preserving a healthy young brain. (http://www.cookingnook.com/health-benefits-of-blueberries.html)
  • Experts recommend consuming a half cup of blueberries per day to reap the full benefits of ‘blue plant power’.  Fresh or frozen, raw or cooked, the anthocyanins in blueberries are as healthful as the berries are flavourful.

Our Blueberry Varieties

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Reka

Reka is a vigorous, fast growing cultivar and adapts well to a wide range of northern climates. Produces bountiful yields of early ripening, medium sized, tasty berries.

Bluecrop

A midseason blueberry, Bluecrop is a leading commercial variety. Medium to large, open clusters of large, firm, crack resistant, light blue fruit. High quality fruit with good flavour. Bluecrop is good for fresh eating, preserves, baking and freezing. Vigorous, upright growth, with slender light red canes, it can reach 4-6 feet at maturity, but will be shorter and more compact when pot grown.

Duke

Early season variety with good hardiness and very good productivity. Bushes are vigorous, 2.0 m tall, open and upright. Fruit is very firm, medium blue and very good flavour. 

Open bush and firm fruits.

Northland Blueberry Bush

Early-season ripening.

Northland: Early season variety with excellent hardiness and excellent productivity. Bushes are very vigourous, 5-7 ft tall. Fruit medium in size, firm, light blue with excellent flavour. High yields and wild flavour.

Perfect for muffins.

Legacy

Legacy is similar to a high quality highbush variety in flavour and yield. vigorous upright growth about 4′ to 6′ tall, with foliage that stays evergreen. Ripens after Bluecrop. Production is high, berries are light blue and medium large. Has rated high in flavour trials.

Draper

Draper blueberry is a mid-season variety which crops a few days before Bluecrop, this variety has strong upright growth and is highly productive. The fruit is consistently large and uniform and is light blue in colour, firm with crisp flesh. The flavour is low acid and the fruit has a strong skin. Some of the notable features are ease of picking of the ripe fruit and the concentrated ripening period, as well as  good shelf-life.