Blueberry ripeness August 15,2009

This is a picture of Bluecrop ready for the third picking. Dukes are picked in two pickings so their time of availability is shorter. The coming week should be good for fresh market Bluecrop.

Bluecrop ready for third picking

Elliot is a low sugar content berry that ripens after Bluecrop. The tartness combines with flavour to cause a love ‘em or hate ‘em response. I love them – my wife doesn’t.

Elliot blueberries

Blueberry ripeness – July 21,09

The first Bluecrop will be ready for picking in a few days. Bluecrop has been the mainstay of the B.C. blueberry market. Now it shares a place with Duke which is earlier and Elliot which is a later. Bluecrop will ripen over about four pickings spaced about a week apart.

Bluecrop

We are part way through our second picking of Dukes. Dukes come in two pickings. By the time you get to the second picking you aren’t picking berries you are picking CLUSTERS of berries, The pickers love it!

Dukes

Blueberry ripeness – July 17,09

The first pick of Patriots is ready for harvest. This berry is known for it’s large size and distinctive flavour.

Patriot blueberry

As we finish the first pick of Dukes at one end of the field we are getting ready for the second pick at the other end. The next couple of weeks is the main harvest time for Dukes.

2nd pick Dukes

Blueberry ripeness – July 8,09

Duke is that great fresh market berry – the berry with the crunch when you eat it. Dukes will last in the fridge for several weeks. They also freeze well. They look almost like fresh when thawed.

Duke blueberries

Last year we sold some Junes as “freezer berries”. They are very sweet and great for muffins, pancakes and smoothies.

June blueberries

Blueberry ripeness – June 22,09

Duke will be one of the first to ripen. There are a few berries showing a little colour. Expect more frequent reports as we get into the picking season.

Duke blueberries

Patriot joins Duke as an early ripening berry.

Patriot blueberries