Blueberry U-Pick Orchards in SW MI: Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties in 2025, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for blueberries that we know of in this area.

Not all areas of a state have blueberries orchards that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using the add a farm form!

Remember to always check with the farm's own website or Facebook page before you go - or call or email them if they don't have a website or Facebook page. Conditions at the farms and crops can change literally overnight, so if you want to avoid a wasted trip out there - check with the farm directly before you go! If I cannot reach them, I DON'T GO!

PLEASE report closed farms, broken links and incorrect info using the "Report Corrections" form below.

New! As inflation remains high, see this page for reliable (tested) brands of generic canning lids at lower costs, and cost-saving measures for getting fruit and vegetables and home canning.
 If you are having a hard time finding canning lids, I've used these, and they're a great price & ship in 2 days.

New! Road tripping and camping is a great way to have a fun, safe and inexpensive family trip. The national and state parks and monuments are open, and campgrounds usually cost between $10 and $40 per night. September to November is the best camping weather.  See our new website Road Tripping and Camping.com for tips, tricks, guides, checklists and info about parks, monuments and other places to visit.

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Berrien County

• Berry Lucky Farm - blueberries, U-pick and already picked, porta-potties
  3542 West Lemon Creek Road, Bridgman, MI 49106. Phone: (574) 850-4322. Email: BerryLuckyFarm@gmail.com. Open: Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12 pm to 6 pm and on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm; Be sure to check Facebook page, website or call before leaving to make sure we are open. Directions: From Bridgmam on Red Arrow Highway, drive North, then rightEast on Lemon Creek Road. Berry Lucky Farm is 34 mile East down Lemon Creek Road on the rightSouth side. From the East, exit US31 at exit 15bM139. Take M139 West to stoplight just past the ramp. Turn leftSouth at Red Bud Trail, then rightWest on Lemon Creek Road. Berry Lucky Farm is 8 miles East on Lemon Creek Road on the leftSouth side. Blueberry season at Berry Lucky Farm is typically July 8 through August 8, but that can vary based on - truncated. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only.
  Berry Lucky Farm Facebook page. is 3/4 mile East down Lemon Creek Road on the right/South side. From the East, exit US31 at exit 15b/M139. Take M139 West to stoplight just past the ramp. Turn left/South at Red Bud Trail, then right/West on Lemon Creek Road. is 8 miles East on Lemon Creek Road on the left/South side. Blueberry season at is typically July 8 through August 8, but that can vary based on the weather;. . (ADDED: June 16, 2020) (UPDATED: June 9, 2025, JBS)
• Blueberry Patch - 2024 permanently closed, blueberries, U-pick or we-pick blueberries. Preserves, honey, blueberry gift items. Picnic area.
  7015 Blackwell Drive, Sawyer, MI 49125. Phone: . Email: pinecrestkris@yahoo.com. Open: permanently closed. Click here for a map and directions. Please call for all-ready picked orders.
• Bredeweg Acres - blueberries, U-pick and already picked, gift shop, porta-potties are available, picnic area, farm animals
  2268 W Rockey Weed Rd, Stevensville, MI 49127. Phone: 269-422-2731. Email: rlbredeweg@aol.com. Open: Monday to Saturday from 9am to 6pm; closed Sunday. Directions: In Michigan take I-94 to exit 22. Go East on JohnBeers to first blinking light in Stevensville. Turn right on Saint Joseph Avenue One mile South, then turn left on West Rockey Weed Road 13 mile to farm. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Go East on JohnBeers to first blinking light in Stevensville. Turn right on Saint Joseph Avenue One mile South, then turn left on West Rockey Weed Road 1/3 mile to farm. . Blueberries: are typically available from mid July to mid August. (UPDATED: June 9, 2025, JBS)
• Eckler's Produce and Greenhouse - u-pick blueberries, raspberries
  1879 Barron Lake Road, Niles, MI 49120. Phone: 269-683-2509. Email: seedsman@ecklerfarms.com. Open: April-Nov. Directions: I-94 to US-12 E at Niles. Becomes M-60, continue E to Barron Lake Road; turn left, go approx. 3-12 miles Located on E side of road. \\\\[ . Click here for a map and directions. , seven days a week, 9 am to 8 pm. Becomes M-60, continue E to Barron Lake Road; turn left, go approx. 3-1/2 miles Located on E side of road. (UPDATED: June 10, 2025, JBS)
• Lehmans Orchard - Uses integrated pest management practices, apples, blueberries, cherries, red currants, black currants, raspberries (red), raspberries (black), strawberries, Nectarines, Blueberries, Blackberries, Plums, ​Peaches, ​Tomatoes, Peppers, ​Pears, Sweet Cherries, Tart Cherries, Gooseberries, Honey from hives on the farm, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), porta-potties are available, picnic area you may bring your own food
  2280 Portage Road, Niles, MI 49120. Phone: 269-683-9078. Email: stevelecklider@aol.com. Open: Monday to Saturday, from 9 am to 5 pm; Sunday from 12 pm to 5 pm, from late May through October; Off season hours open every day from 12 pm to 5 pm November, December, closed January, February, March then open in April and May. Directions: coming from Chicago, Take I80-90 Toll Road east to exit 72. Drive north on bypass 31 into Michigan, turn right on US12 and head east one mile. Turn right on Portage Road and head south one mile, the red farm house is on the right. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
  Lehmans Orchard Facebook page. Drive north on bypass 31 into Michigan, turn right on US12 and head east one mile. Turn right on Portage Road and head south one mile, the red farm house is on the right. . We use integrated pest management practices. . Pick your own tart cherry and blueberry starting around July 1; Please check website or phone for current pick your own information. Also visit our farm winery/cidery/farm stand during the season. We are always adding interesting products and crops. (UPDATED: June 10, 2025, JBS)
• Mike's Blueberries - Blueberries, from low bushes, restrooms
  11160 Farina Rd, New Buffalo, MI 49117. Phone: 269-469-2509. Open: Usually July and August. Directions: Call for directions. Payment: Cash, only. Construction on the road\\\\(s\\\\) is now complete, and not applicable. Wooden signs on road indicate how to get there, and are up when the season is on. Sign painted on property\\\\\\\'s white arch, with name \\\\Mike\\\\\\\'s Blueberries.: Porta-Potty, swingset, friendly and old dog. Swallow birds often have a nest. Come early in the day to avoid mosquitos. Parking for about 10 cars available. Kid-friendly. Sometimes have f - truncated. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Appx. 7:30 am to 7 pm. Closed Mondays. Construction on the road(s) is now complete, and not applicable. Wooden signs on road indicate how to get there, and are up when the season is on. Sign painted on property's white arch, with name ".: Porta-Potty, swingset, friendly and old dog. Swallow birds often have a nest. Come early in the day to avoid mosquitos. Parking for about 10 cars available. Kid-friendly. Sometimes have fresh honey- (blueberry!), or local tomatoes for sale. (UPDATED: June 10, 2025, JBS)
  Comments from a visitor on September 06, 2013: "Owners very pleasant. Farm well-maintained. Fruit delicious and easy to pick, with hundreds of bushes, with farm in existence about 50 years now. We come here every year. Owners also own the Ramberg Bakery in Union Pier, MI, and live on the property, in the house."
• Prillwitz Fruit Farm - apples, blueberries, sweet cherries, tart cherries, peaches, plums, grapes, apple cider and pumpkins.
  7196 E. Main Street, Eau Claire, MI 49111. Phone: 269-461-6720. Open: Daily June through October call for hours. Directions: Located 1 mile outside Eau Claire on Main Street. Click here for a map and directions. Family owned and operated for over 60 years. True, authentic, down-home and refreshingly real. Grown and sold right on the farm, including sweet and tart cherries, peaches, plums (dunkelberg, damson and stanley prune), blueberries, grapes, apples, cider and pumpkins. U-Pick or already picked available. . 11 miles from the I-94 Exit or 11 miles north of Niles. (ADDED: June 30, 2016, JBS) (UPDATED: June 10, 2025, JBS)
• Rambo Blueberries - blueberries, U-pick and already picked, porta-potties are available
  11306 Gast Road, Bridgman, MI 49106. Phone: 269-426-4074. Email: ramboblueberries@gmail.com. Open: Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm, Michigan time, Early July to mid August; Our typical season is Early July through Mid August; Please check our website for updated information. Directions: see our website. Payment: Cash, Check. Weather greatly affects the blueberry season! Please make sure to check our website for all information and updates. Does not except credit cards. \\\\(UPDATED: August 15, 2016\\\\). \\\\[ . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
  Rambo Blueberries Facebook page. . Weather greatly affects the blueberry season! Please make sure to check our website for all information and updates. Does not except credit cards. (UPDATED: August 15, 2016). (UPDATED: June 10, 2025, JBS)
  Comments from a visitor on August 24, 2013: "Went blueberry picking at Rambo farms this year; we usually go to another place, but decided to switch it up. The blueberry bushes were some of the best we've seen and we've picked in a couple of different states. We are a family of seven and everyone was happy! We also picked up some of the blueberry syrup, and loved it."
  Comments from a visitor on July 29, 2013: "We found the Rambo farm on your wonderful website. We have a new summer home in Michigan and fruit picking is one of the things we couldn't wait to try. I picked Rambo farm because it was very close, and easy to find. The people were great, the blueberries were plentiful and the kids and 3 grand kids loved it! We would have stayed longer, but..
• Starbucks Blueberry Farm - formerly Jone's Blueberries - formerly Jone\'s Blueberries - U-pick blueberries, Picnic area, clean Porta potties
  9245 Gast Road, Bridgman, MI 49106. Phone: 269-465-4745. Email: info@starbucksblueberryfarm.com. Open: after July 4 through end of August, depending on fruit availability, 9 am to 6 pm; Closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Directions: 9245 Gast Road, Bridgman. Less than 3 miles from I-94. From Chicago: I-94 E to Bridgman Exit 16, N on Red Arrow Hwy. to stoplight, turn right on Lake Street 1.1 mile to Gast Road; turn left, we are 12 mile down on the right. Watch for signs. Over 6 varieties of blueberries available including Blue Crop and Jersey Buckets provided for picking. Take your blueberries home in the plastic bag, or for small fee, we provide nice boxes perfect for longer car trips. Picnic area and clean Porta potties av - truncated. . Click here for a map and directions.
  Starbucks Blueberry Farm - formerly Jone's Blueberries Facebook page. Less than 3 miles from I-94. From Chicago: I-94 E to Bridgman Exit 16, N on Red Arrow Hwy. to stoplight, turn right on Lake Street 1.1 mile to Gast Road; turn left, we are 1/2 mile down on the right. Watch for signs. Over 6 varieties of blueberries available including Blue Crop and Jersey Buckets provided for picking. Take your blueberries home in the plastic bag, or for small fee, we provide nice boxes perfect for longer car trips. Picnic area and clean Porta potties available. . (UPDATED: June 10, 2025, JBS)
• Sweet Summer Gardens - 2021 permanently closed for pyo, already picked blueberries, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms
  M-140 Just North Of Hagar Shore Road, Watervliet, MI 49098. Phone: 269-463-5786. Email: slpodjan@cpuinc.net. Open: permanently closed. Click here for a map and directions. We had to open late and sales were down due to everyone being quarantined. We had to make a tough decision at the end of the season and we decided that we would be closing permanently. We still plan on doing blueberries from the fruit stand when they are ready starting the beginning of July
• The Extraordinary Berry - 2023 permanently closed, blueberries
  , Riverside, MI 49084. Phone: . Open: permanently closed. Click here for a map of the area.

Cass County

• Eckler's Produce - blackberries, blueberries, raspberries (Spring, red), raspberries (Spring, black), tomatoes, porta-potties
  1879 Barron Lake Road, Niles, MI 49120. Phone: (269) 683-2509. Email: seedsman@ecklerfarms.com. Open: Call for availability. Directions: Take I94 to Niles exit us 12 to Niles becomes m60 continue on TO Barron Lake Road turn north down 3 12 miles on east side of road. From the north m51 take south of Dowagiac Mi. to Pokagon highway turn east to Barron Lake Road turn south take for a little over a mile on east side of road. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. From the north m51 take south of Dowagiac Mi. to Pokagon highway turn east to Barron Lake Road turn south take for a little over a mile on east side of road. . We use integrated pest management practices (IPM). (UPDATED: May 21, 2018) (UPDATED: June 10, 2025, JBS)
• PYO Blueberries - blueberries, U-pick and already picked
  29485 Yaw Rd, Dowagiac, MI 49047. Phone: . Open: permanently closed. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Naturally Grown High Bush Blue Crop Blueberries in July. Formerly called Punkin's Pick.

Van Buren County

• Adams Farms - Certified Organic, blueberries, Aronia berries, farm stand, Maple Syrup from trees on the farm, U-pick and already picked, porta-potties, picnic area you may bring your own food
  69676 Cr 376, Hartford, MI 49057. Phone: (269) 214-0873. Email: toquinfarm@gmail.com. Open: 7 days a week;8 am to 6 pm; July thru mid-August. Directions: I-94 to exit 41,north 6 miles to cr 376,then 2 miles east. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover.
  Adams Farms Facebook page. . Maple Syrup all year. . We also have Aronia berries. Maple Syrup is available year round. Please call ahead for pre-pick. it is usally wet in the mornings so be prepared. We have buckets and boxes (5,10 and 30 pounds) Farm is certified thru MOSA. Pick USDA Certified organic and conventional blueberries on a multi-generational family farm. (UPDATED: June 10, 2025, JBS)
• Berry Brothers Retail LLC - blueberries, U-pick and already picked, gift shop, concessions or refreshment stand, restrooms
  37146 30th Street, Paw Paw, MI 49079. Phone: (269) 657-3871. Email: heidi@walkerbb.com. Open: See our website for current hours. Directions: 37146 30th St Paw Paw, MI 49079. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
  Berry Brothers Retail LLC Facebook page. . (ADDED: August 02, 2021) (UPDATED: June 10, 2025, JBS)
• Brookside Farms - Gobles Location - Gobles Location - blueberries, Honey from hives on the farm, Maple Syrup from trees on the farm, U-pick and already picked, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms
  37988 Co Rd 388, Gobles, MI 49055. Phone: 269-521-7655. Email: brooksidefarm@btc-bci.com. Open: See our website for current hours. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. . We provide limited retail offerings at this site and are open in season to u-pickers. Please do not hesitate to call if you are looking for a specific item. The farm has three retail/u-pick locations in the Gobles, Paw Paw, and Martin communities in MichiganOur new location will have a bakery which will bake fresh pies, muffins, coffee cakes. You can come and have a fresh piece of pie ala mode or enjoy a smoothie made with our fresh fruit. Formerly called Fritz's Blueberries. (UPDATED: June 10, 2025, JBS)
• Brookside Farms - Paw Paw Location - Paw Paw Location - blueberries, Honey from hives on the farm, Maple Syrup from trees on the farm, U-pick and already picked, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms
  34448 44th Avenue, Paw Paw, MI 49079. Phone: 269-657-3500. Email: brooksidefarm@btc-bci.com. Open: See our website for current hours. Directions: From I-94 take M-40N. Kalamazoo Street toward downtown Paw Paw, continue to follow M-40 North 2 miles. Turn Left onto 44th Avenue, the farm\\\\\\\'s driveway is on the left side of the road. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. Kalamazoo Street toward downtown Paw Paw, continue to follow M-40 North 2 miles. Turn Left onto 44th Avenue, the farm's driveway is on the left side of the road. . This location has the largest variety of retail and fresh bakery items available as well as servicing u-pick customers. The farm has three retail/u-pick locations in the Gobles, Paw Paw, and Martin communities in MichiganOur new location will have a bakery which will bake fresh pies, muffins, coffee cakes. You can come and have a fresh piece of pie ala mode or enjoy a smoothie made with our fresh fruit. Formerly called Fritz's Blueberries. (UPDATED: June 10, 2025, JBS)
• Degrandchamp Blueberries - blueberries, raspberries, cranberries
  76241 14th Avenue, South Haven, MI 49090. Phone: 616-637-3915. Email: info@degrandchamps.com. Open: early July to mid-September, seven days a week, 8 am to 6 pm. Directions: 3 miles S of South Haven on corner of Blue Star Hwy. and 14th Avenue, From I-196, take Exit 18, turn left \\\\(W\\\\), 1 mile. You will find plenty of fresh air, free parking, picnic areas, and clean restrooms. But best of all, our fields are well groomed and trimmed for easy picking. DeGrandchamp\\\\\\\'s Farm staff moves the U-Pick location as berries ripen in order to assure that you can pick the ripest, most abundant fruit. Few Blueberry farms have the wide varieties of blueb - truncated. . Click here for a map and directions. and 14th Avenue, From I-196, take Exit 18, turn left (W), 1 mile. You will find plenty of fresh air, free parking, picnic areas, and clean restrooms. But best of all, our fields are well groomed and trimmed for easy picking. DeGrandchamp's Farm staff moves the U-Pick location as berries ripen in order to assure that you can pick the ripest, most abundant fruit. Few Blueberry farms have the wide varieties of blueberry bushes so you are assured an abundant supply of fresh, plump berries July through August. After picking as many blueberries as you would like, stop by our Farm Market where you can get more fresh picked blueberries, preserves, spreads, dried fruit, candies, mustards, dressings, salsas, sauces, bake mixes, cook books, homemade fudge, and more! [ ] (UPDATED: June 10, 2025, JBS)
• Joe's Blues - blueberries, porta-potties are available, picnic area
  61687 34th Ave, Bangor, MI 49013. Phone: 847-293-1690. Email: sales@joesblueberries.com. Open: Seven days a week from 10 am to 6 pm from July 4 to August 15. Directions: We are located 8 miles north of Exit 46 on I-94 \\\\(Hartford\\\\) on C.R. 687 \\\\(62nd\\\\) Street at 34th Avenue just south of Bangor. We are also accessible off of Route 43, about eight miles East of South Haven; turn right at C. R. 687\\\\(62nd\\\\). . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Discover, AmEx.
  Joe's Blues Facebook page. R. 687 (62nd) Street at 34th Avenue just south of Bangor. We are also accessible off of Route 43, about eight miles East of South Haven; turn right at C. R. 687(62nd). We have beautiful 60 year old jersey high bush blueberries. We have a unique bush rental program that allows you to pick from your own bush. See our website. Jersey high bush blueberries, naturally grown with no pesticides or chemicals. (UPDATED: June 10, 2025, JBS)
• Morrison's Sunny Fields - blueberries, French and American grapes
  30384 Red Arrow Hwy, Paw Paw, MI 49079. Phone: 269-657-6115. Email: johnmurson@msn.com. Open: permanently closed. Click here for a map and directions. We have been a family farm in the same location since 1835. from light off M-40, Mich Avenue, Paw Paw (I-94 Exit 60) W I-94 N from Mattawan, 1/2 mi. to Red Arrow W left 2 miles. Also prepicked asparagus, strawberries, sweet corn, tomatoes, peaches, grapes, apples, and more. We strive to maintain a 3-century tradition of providing the best freshest produce available.
• Schemenauer Farms - 2025 permanently closed, blueberries, grapes, raspberries (red), raspberries (Spring, red), raspberries (Autumn, red), tomatoes, other vegetables,
  26980 Cr 215, Bangor, MI 49013. Phone: 269-214-0837. Email: luka@i2k.com. Open: permanently closed. Directions: 2 miles east of Bangor on M-43, 34 mile north on CR 215, on left. June 23 to September 30. Payment: Cash, Check. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. june23 pm to September 30 24 hours. June 23 to September 30. . unique self serve operation, taste testing, drive right to where you pick, leaves a feeling of being on your own farm. 30 acres of fruit. (ADDED: July 25, 2016)
• Schultz Fruitridge Farms, Inc. - apples, blueberries, cherries, peaches, U-pick and already picked, farm market, porta-potties are available, picnic area, school tours
  60139 County Road 652, Mattawan, MI 49071. Phone: 269-668-3724. Email: info@schultzfruitridgefarm.com. Open: Hours of Operation: Monday - Saturday 9 am to 6 Sunday 10 am to 5 U - pick is finished 12 hour before closing Call for holiday Hours: Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. [ ] (UPDATED: June 10, 2025, JBS)
• Stokes Homestead Farm Market - blueberries, pumpkins, gift shop, concessions or refreshment stand, porta-potties are available, restrooms, picnic area, birthday parties, school tours, events at your location (call for info)
  13988 County Road 215, Grand Junction, MI 49056. Phone: 269-427-7777. Email: info@stokeshomestead.com. Open: permanently closed. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
  Stokes Homestead Farm Market Facebook page. Click here for current open hours, days and dates/a>. May: Asparagus, Sugar snap peas June: Asparagus (Early June) Strawberries, blueberries (late June), cherries July: Fresh flowers, blueberries, peaches (late July), peppers (late July), Sweet Corn, Peppers, Squash, Zucchini August: Peaches, potatoes, blueberries, Sweet Corn, Squash, Zucchini September: Pumpkins, gourds, Indian Corn, Apples, Potatoes October: Pumpkins, gourds, Indian Corn, Apples, Potatoes. .
• True Blue Farms - blueberries
  009548 CR 215, Grand Junction, MI 49056. Phone: 269-434-8844. Email: katie@truebluefarms.com. Open: for the season, July 5-August 31, Monday to Sun. Directions: From South Haven follow Phoenix Street, also known as CR 388, E for approx. 11 mile; When you reach the town of Grand Junction, turn S on to CR 215 12 mile on E side of road.U-pick or pre-picked blueberries and potted blueberry plants. \\\\[ . Click here for a map and directions. , 8 am to 8 pm. 11 mile; When you reach the town of Grand Junction, turn S on to CR 215 1/2 mile on E side of road.U-pick or pre-picked and potted blueberry plants. (UPDATED: June 10, 2025, JBS)
• Understory Farm and Orchard - Certified Organic, blueberries, apples, cherries, apple cider mill,
  28120 County Road 215, Bangor, MI 49013. Phone: (810) 701-6522. Email: understoryfarm@gmail.com. Open: UPDATE for 2025: I assume they are still open, but their Facebook page has not been updated since 2019, so call before you go, blueberries in July, Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 5pm. Click here for a map and directions. Understory is a 20 Acre Farm and Orchard, producing gourmet mushrooms, heirloom and specialty vegetables, apples, blueberries, Montmorency cherries, and apple cider on our 25 bushel cider mill.Our fruit, vegetables, and mushrooms are all grown using natural methods and the farm is now Certified Organic through the USDA and MOFA. We are passionate about growing great food in a way that is sustainable and healthy for our farm, ourselves, and our community. Our cider is made in the traditional way on a press that has been in use for over 100 years. We offer an increasingly rare view of our history with the apple in Michigan, using fruit that is grown without the use of synthetic materials and a press that is still cranked by hand. We are proud to be a part of the time-honored tradition of cider-makers in Michigan and strive to carry that torch by continuing to make a simply delicious product, free of preservatives or chemicals. [ ] (UPDATED: June 10, 2025, JBS)

 

Blueberry

Blueberry Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

Blueberries are one of the easiest fruit to prepare and serve. There's no peeling, pitting, coring or cutting. They have few natural pests, (other than birds), so pesticides are generally unnecessary! This year's crop is fantastic (see related news story), thanks both to the weather and to more farms planting more blueberry bushes due to increased consumer demand over the past few years as more studies proclaim the anti-oxidant and other health properties of blueberries.

Click here to find a local Blueberry Festival (usually held between April and July).

If you are looking for information about a similar berry, the saskatoon (also called the June berry or Serviceberry) see this page about saskatoons.

Picking tips:

Select plump, full blueberries with a light gray-blue color. A berry with any hint of red isn't fully ripened.

Ripening AFTER picking?

First, it is key to know that once picked, blueberries will NOT become any sweeter, nor will the flavor improve. The only change that occurs is the color. They will APPEAR to ripen, but it is only a color change, from white to green to rose to red to pale blue to fully blue. So, white and green colored blueberries will not "ripen" after they are picked; while blueberries that have already turned purple, red or blue-ish usually DO change color after they are picked (if they are kept at room temperature to "ripen").

As the blueberries ripen ON THE BUSH, the flavor goes from tastless to bitter to tasteless tart to tart blueberry flavor to sweet blueberry flavor.

Grocery stores sell blueberries that are tart, not sweet because they had them picked unripe by machine so they are very firm and can handled being bumped around in shipping. They may look good, but are not as tasty as those picked when actually ripe.

So, the key is, PICK ONLY RIPE BERRIES!

How to pick blueberries

Since blueberries hang on the bushes in bunches a but like grapes do, the easiest and fastest way to pick them is hold your bucket under them in one hand and with your other hand, cup a ripe bunch and gently rub them with your fingers. The ripe berries will drop into your bucket, while the unripe ones will remain attached to the bush.

When the bushes are at peak, I can easily pick 2 gallons per hour (if I'm not being distracted by the kids and the sun isn't too hot!). A newbie might do 1 gallon per hour.and at the beginning or end of the season it takes more time as the berries are not as plentiful nor concentrated in clusters.

Tips for storing blueberries after harvesting:

• Once picked, don't place the berries, still warm from the sun, in a closed bag or container. Leave the container open so moisture doesn't form in the container.
• Don't wash berries until just before using, to prevent berries from becoming mushy.
• Chill berries soon after picking to increase shelf life. Store your fresh blueberries in the refrigerator as soon as you get them home, without washing them, in a covered bowl or storage container. If refrigerated, fresh-picked blueberries will keep 10 to 14 days.
• Freeze berries in freezer containers without washing to keep the skins from toughening. Place berries one layer deep. Freeze, then pour the frozen berries into freezer containers. Because unwashed blueberries freeze individually, they can be easily poured from containers in desired amounts. Remember both frozen and fresh berries should be rinsed and drained just before serving. Just before using, wash the berries in cold water.

Blueberry Measurements and Conversions

Keep in mind that blueberries vary considerably in density and moisture content, so these ranges are approximates.

• 1 gallon of blueberries weighs about 7.5 lbs or (4 liters of blueberries is about 3.5 kg)

• 1 pint of fresh blueberries weights about 3/4 of a pound. (1 liter of blueberries is about 700 grams)

• 1 pound of fresh blueberries is usually between about 2 and 3 cups of berries.

• It takes about 4 cups (about of blueberries to make a blueberry pie (see this fantastic and easy blueberry pie recipe)

• A normal batch of blueberry preserves, jam or jelly requires 5 pints of berries.

• Blueberries do come in a variety of sizes from small (190-250 berries per cup) to extra large (<90 berries per cup).

Blueberry Recipes, Canning and Freezing Blueberries

Recipes

• The world's best Blueberry pie, recipe and directions and illustrated!
• Blueberry buckle coffee cake: illustrated directions for this great crumb-topping blueberry coffee cake
• Other easy directions to make blueberry desserts: cobblers, etc.

Canning, freezing and other blueberry recipes:

• How to Freeze Blueberries
• How to Can Blueberries
• How to Make Homemade Blueberry Jam
• How to make blueberry jelly
• How to make and can blueberry syrup (it works for strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, too)
• blueberry pie filling to use later,
• blueberry butter

Baking tips

If you have trouble with blueberries settling to the bottom of muffins and blueberry breads, try one or more of these tips:

• Coat them with flour before adding to the batter. Just gently shake the blueberries in a bag (plastic or paper) with 1/2 cup of flour, then dump them mix in a sieve to remove excess flour.
• It may just be that your batter is too thin. try making the batter a little thicker!
• Fill the muffin cups or baking pan up to 1/4 full with batter (which hasn't had blueberries added to it yet); then stir the blueberries into the remaining batter, and continue to fill the muffin cups or bread pan. The blueberries will start off higher in the mix!

Other Local Farm Products (Honey, Horses, Milk, Meat, Eggs, Etc.)
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)

• Farm markets and roadside stands
• Local Honey Finder
• Local Meat, Milk and Eggs
• Venues: Farms, Wineries, Orchards for your event, wedding or party
• Easter egg hunts
• Children"s consignment sales
• Fruit and vegetable festivals
• Winery tours and wine tastings
• Horse rides, stables, lessons, trails
• Maple Syrup farms and sugarworks
• Bed & Breakfasts on Farms, Wineries, Ranches and Orchards
• Pumpkin patches
• Corn mazes
• Zombie Paintball venues
• Christmas Tree Farms & lots
• Environmental resources
• Consumer fraud information
• Wholesale food sources
• Resources for Farmers