All About Our Blueberries – FAQ

Blueberry season is in full swing here at Parlee Farms. Stop by the farm to buy some in our farm stand or come and pick your own! Our blueberries are plump and juicy, and they are truly one of the greatest joys of summer. Here are answers to some of the commonly asked questions that we get about our blueberries:

How do your blueberries get so big?

Our blueberries get so big for a variety of reasons:

• The types of blueberries we’ve planted.
• The presence of the other blueberry plants.
• How we care for the blueberry plants, including irrigation.
• Pruning that we do in the winter

Blueberries are self pollinating, but having multiple plants and varieties of blueberries present nearby affects the size of the berries.

Why do you have netting over them?

We love blueberries – and so do the animals, especially birds. In order to protect the fruit, we place netting over the plants to prevent other critters from eating the fruit. If blueberries were left on their own, out in the open, the animals would eat them long before we had a chance to pick them and enjoy them.

Why do you use drip irrigation?

Blueberries need a certain amount of water in order to thrive – not too much, and not too little. Blueberry plants also thrive when the water is deposited directly to the root area. Our drip irrigation system delivers the water, in the perfect amount, right where the plants really need it. It is a more controlled way to give the blueberries their nourishment.

What is the best way to pick our blueberries?

To pick the best blueberries possible, there are some things to keep in mind. Pick fully ripe berries that are dark-colored if possible (these are the sweetest), blue, round, and not cracked. Avoid berries that are not fully blue in color because they aren’t yet ripe and will not be sweet. A blueberry that is ready to be picked will easily roll off of the stem.

Please visit our home page for more information about when our farm is open and when you can pick your fresh blueberries. While you’re here, also be sure to explore our other offerings, such as our food selections, petting zoo, and more. And of course, get a warm blueberry crisp from Mary’s Country Kitchen! We look forward to seeing you!

Categorized in: Blueberries

This post was written by Parlee Farms