We’ve needed to miss loads of joyous events this spring, however there’s one factor we will nonetheless rely on: Selecting blueberries.
A handful of farms in our area are nonetheless providing an opportunity to collect our personal buckets of berries or in case you want, you should buy them pre picked or presumably delivered. It’s also possible to discover blueberries at our farmers’ markets or by the Pink Hills Small Farm Alliance.
Berry season is underway at a pair farms and others will get began on the finish of Might or in June so you may fulfill your blueberry cravings into the summer season months.
Blueberry farmers are taking precautions and sustaining correct distancing within the area, together with hand washing stations and sanitizers.
Regardless of precautions you may nonetheless savor the thrill of the season. Whereas selecting blueberries, try the birds, the wildlife and at the least one location, the beautiful springs. These are just about unspoiled areas the place you may escape to vast open areas, take pleasure in nature and eat simply-picked heat, juicy berries.
It’s a enjoyable household exercise so in case you’re searching for a method to entertain your youngsters, give selecting a strive.
A tip from farmers: Goal to go early or late to keep away from the warmth of the day. Farmers advise that you simply put on footwear, socks and hats and slather on sunscreen. Finest to deliver your individual water bottle.
As for choosing, you need to run your hand underneath the berries. Ripe berries, farmers advise, will fall proper off the bush and you may catch them in your bucket or basket. If it’s important to tug at them or in the event that they’re nonetheless white or pinkish in coloration, they’re not prepared.
Under are among the blueberry farms in our space, adopted by some suggestions for choosing and storing berries. Examine with every farm earlier than you exit to substantiate their hours.
Have enjoyable and preserve pickin’.
Blueberry Springs Farm: A go to to Blueberry Springs gives extra than simply selecting. Homeowners Jack and Teresa Krause have been welcoming guests to “choose and paddle” for greater than 30 years. You’ll be able to collect rabbiteye blueberries at this household-owned farm then go canoeing or kayaking within the close by Wacissa River Springs. Whereas there observe loads of birds, amongst them woodpeckers, owls and crows. Choose blueberries for $four a pound or get them picked for you for $6 a pound. Place an order they usually’ll be prepared. Blackberries are $5 per pound; u-choose solely. Blueberry Springs is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 7 a.m. to midday and 5 to nightfall — “the good components of the day,” Jack mentioned. The farm additionally has blackberries and plenty of vegetation to purchase — fig bushes, blueberry and blackberry bushes, tomato vegetation and pepper vegetation. Convey money or test. The farm is off a street that ends on the mouth of the springs. 383 Wacissa Springs Street; 850-997-1238.
Blue Sky Berry Farm: The scenic Monticello farm anticipates blueberry season will get underway in early June. As a result of virus, Blue Sky will restrict selecting to 10 folks at a time. And this 12 months, the farm is proscribing selecting to these selecting at the least six kilos of the natural blueberries. The price is normally $four a pound however there will likely be reductions for folks selecting six kilos or extra. Hours are eight a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Bank cards accepted. 1180 Asheville Hwy., Monticello; 850-545-6128.
Inexperienced Meadows Farm: This household-owned Monticello farm has been open to the general public since 2008, mentioned proprietor Delores Inexperienced. You’ll be able to choose the natural, rabbiteye blueberries on 5 acres of land, the place it’s also possible to take pleasure in birds and catch deer sightings. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays beginning Might 29. Delories mentioned she anticipates the season will final by June. The farm is taking precautions like putting markers to social distance when pickers go to weigh and choose their berries and workers will put on masks. It prices $5 a pound for the berries. You’ll be able to pay by money or test. Inexperienced Meadows isn’t promoting meals merchandise at this time. “It’s all about selecting blueberries this 12 months,” mentioned Delores. However you may nonetheless choose up her cookbook with blueberry and different recipes for $10 or order it by localharvest.org. 117 E. Bluebird Rd., Monticello; 850-997-4886.
Jubilee Orchards: You’ve got numerous blueberry selecting’ choices at Jubilee. Now you can choose blueberries day by day from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from four to 7:30 p.m. day by day. The natural berries price $7 per pound. On Mondays, they’re $5 per pound. Jubilee urges you to make each effort to pay by bank card. You’ll be able to seize a sanitized bucket and cease by the handwashing station earlier than getting into and exit. It’s also possible to purchase pre picked berries at Jubilee Orchards or get them delivered. Supply days are presently 10 a.m to 2 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Prospects are requested to depart a cooler exterior their entrance door. Go to app.barn2door.com/e/94Okay85/all to search out out extra about deliveries and pickup. Jubilee’s season is predicted to go until the tip of Might. The farm retailer gained’t be open this 12 months and no meals and leisure actions due to the coronavirus. Jubilee Orchards is crammed with a lot historical past. The plantation was bought in 1990 by former Florida Gov. Lawton Chiles. His restored 1840s period log cabin is dubbed the “Cook dinner Shack.” The orchard is owned by Chiles’ son Bud and his spouse Kitty, who develop Southern highbush blueberry varieties. 12008 Miccosukee Rd.; 850-385-7800.
Farmers’ markets and Pink Hills Small Farm Alliance: It’s also possible to discover contemporary blueberries at our native farmers’ markets or by the Pink Hills Small Farm Alliance On-line Market at rhomarket.com/ For extra about becoming a member of the net market and to see an inventory of native farmers’ markets please see this story on TallahasseeTable,
Listed here are some tips on blueberry selecting from native farmers and the location pickyourown.org:
- As soon as picked, don’t place the berries, nonetheless heat from the solar, in a closed bag or container. Depart the container open so moisture doesn’t type within the container.
- Don’t wash berries till simply earlier than utilizing, to forestall berries from changing into mushy.
- Chill berries quickly after selecting to extend shelf life, advises Jubilee Orchards. Retailer your contemporary blueberries within the fridge as quickly as you get them residence, with out washing them, in a lined bowl or storage container. If refrigerated, contemporary-picked blueberries will preserve 10 to 14 days.
- Freeze berries in freezer containers with out washing to maintain the skins from toughening. Place berries one layer deep. Freeze, then pour the frozen berries into freezer containers. Each frozen and contemporary berries ought to be rinsed and drained simply earlier than serving. Simply earlier than utilizing, wash the berries in chilly water.
- Blueberries fluctuate in density however listed below are some approximate figures: one pound of contemporary blueberries is normally between about two and three cups of berries. One gallon of blueberries weighs about 7.5 kilos.
