Helpful tips for u-pick blueberry season

Blueberry season has begun!

Michigan has over 30 varietiesof blueberries grown across about 600 family-owned farms. While Macomb County is home to a select few of those, there's still plenty of the delectable berry to go around.

Below are a couple of tips when participating in u-pick blueberry season.

Before you begin

Make sure to call the farm ahead to confirm blueberry availability. If you are given the go-ahead, make sure to wear closed-toe shoes and pack sunscreen, bug spray and water. Wash your hands before and after u-picking or use hand wipes andhand sanitizer if available.

While you pick

Once you've made your way to the fields, gently grab ahold of the berries you want and tug with a delicate hand. If any of your pickings are soft, throw them away. Avoid green and overly red or pink berries if you can, and be careful not to shake the bushes around you.

Storage and consumption

When you return home, store your fresh-picked blueberries in the refrigerator and make sure to wash them just before eating. You can also freeze, dry or 'can' them to preserve them for later.

When freezing berries, make sure you do not wash them before you pack them into a container with ½ to 1 ½ inchheadspace, depending on the type of container.

The easiest wayto 'dry' blueberries is to use the oven. Rinse, drain and dry your berries before spreading them out on a cookie sheet lined with parchment (here you can lightly add sweeteners if you'd like, such as honey). Then bake them in your oven for three hours at 225 degrees fahrenheit. Once they are done, make sure to conceal them in an airtight container. Dried blueberries can taste great in baked goods, or by themselves.

For a list of Macomb County farms visit our orchards and cider mills page, or find fresh produce at Local farmers markets.

Department:Make Macomb Your Home

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