strawberry Picking Schedule Update

Blueberries grow in clusters on blueberry  bushes. Ripe blueberries are uniformly blue. To harvest the berries, use one  hand to hold your bucket under a cluster of berries and very gently rub the  cluster with the fingers of your other hand. Ripe berries will detach themselves  and fall into your bucket. If the berries resist and do not gently fall off,  they are not ripe. Of course, taste testing is a good test for ripeness too:)  Please try and pick each bush clean, that is, remove all ripe berries before  moving on to the next bush. This ensures the best picking experience for all of  our visitors, and reduces waste and crop loss. 

Blueberry Yield Per  Pound 1 pound of blue berries yields  approximately 2 and 2/3 cups. Blueberry pie recipes typically require  about 1 1/2 to 2 pounds of berries Blueberry jam recipes usually call for  about 3 and 3/4 pound of berries

Blackberries also grow in clusters. Ripe  blackberries are uniformly dark in color, soft, and yield to a gentle tug. If  you have to pull on the berry to remove it, it is not yet ripe. Taste testing is  a good method also (we won't tell:) Please try and pick each bush clean, that  is, remove all ripe berries before moving on to the next bush. This ensures the  best picking experience for all of our visitors, and reduces waste and crop  loss. 

Blackberry Yield Per  Pound One pound of blackberries yields about 4  cups

Refrigerator  storage Do not wash berries before refrigeration,  it causes blueberries to become mushy and hastens spoilage of blackberries.  Instead, wash immediately before use. Store berries in shallow, closed  containers in the refrigerator. Blueberries will keep for 10 to 14 days;  blackberries for 3 to 4 days. 

Freezing  Berries Do not wash blueberries before freezing,  it can cause thicker, tougher skins. Intead, wash after thawing before use.  Blackberries can be washed prior to freezing. For smaller amounts, place the berries in  a single layer on a cookie tray to freeze. Once frozen, transfer the berries to  a ziplock freezer bag for long term storage. Remove as much air as possible to  prevent freezer burn. Label the bags for later ease of use. For larger quantities,  transfer the  berries directly to freezer bags or containers. Remove as much air as possible  to prevent freezer burn. Label the bags for later ease of use. For other storage options, visit Michigan  State University's excellent Blueberry Preservation  Page