How do you pick blueberries? Ripe berries, picking tips and keeping them fresh
Short version: pick berries that are completely blue and feel springy when you squeeze gently. Cup a cluster under your palm and roll your thumb across it: ripe berries fall into your hand and unripe ones stay. Keep them dry, shallow and cold, and wash them only right before eating.
How do you know a blueberry is ripe?
University of Minnesota Extension says berries go from green to blue and are ready when they are completely blue and springy when gently squeezed. Any red or green near the stem means wait. Taste a few first so you know what ripe looks and feels like on that farm's bushes.
What is the fastest way to pick blueberries?
Hold your container under a cluster, cup the berries with your fingers and roll them with your thumb. Ripe ones drop, unripe ones hang on. Berries on one bush ripen over a couple of weeks, so the farm may send you to rows that are ready. A container that hangs on your belt keeps both hands free.
When should you go?
Blueberry season here is Jun to Aug. Go in the cool of the morning, when berries are firm. See when blueberry season starts for regional timing.
How do you keep picked blueberries fresh?
UMN Extension advises refrigerating them soon after picking in a firm container, no more than a couple of inches deep, and not washing until you eat them, which helps prevent mold. Plan to use them within about a week. To freeze, wash and dry them, freeze in one layer on a sheet, then move them to a freezer bag.
Where can you pick blueberries?
We list 796 blueberry farms. A few to start with:
- Lyon’s Blueberry and Pumpkin Farm, Creedmoor, NC
- Cedar Grove Blueberry Farm, Woodlawn, NC
- Abshier Blueberry Farm, Belleview, FL
- Adkins Blueberry Farm LLC, Eugene, OR
- Alexander's Wild Maine Blueberries, Milford, ME
- All About The Blueberry Farm, Plant City, FL
- Aunt Zelma's Blueberries, Island Grove, FL
- Belle Jolie Blueberry Farm, La Center, WA
- Berkey's Blueberries, Lebanon, OR
- Bill's Berry Farm, Grandview, WA
- Billy Boy's Blueberry Barn, Michigan City, IN
- Black River Blues Blueberry Farm, Rochester, WA
See all blueberry farms near you. A belt picking pail keeps both hands on the bush.
Quick questions
How can you tell a blueberry is ripe?
It is completely blue with no red near the stem and feels springy when gently squeezed. Ripe berries roll off easily.
Should you wash blueberries before storing them?
No. Refrigerate them unwashed in a shallow container and wash just before eating.
Can you freeze fresh-picked blueberries?
Yes. Wash and dry them, freeze in one layer, then store in a freezer bag.
Sources
- University of Minnesota Extension: growing blueberries
- Mississippi State Extension: blueberries, harvest and post-harvest
- Nebraska Extension: when to harvest fruits and vegetables
General guidance, not advice for a specific farm. Farm rules, prices and dates vary, so check with the farm.