Blueberries

OUR FARM NOW OFFERS U-PICK

U-Pick is for registered customers only. If you would like to register, please click here to read conditions of entry and to be added to the list

We provide buckets for picking and bags for you to carry your berries home. If you prefer, you can bring your own containers. These empty containers will be weighed and marked prior to entering the U-Pick area. Also, sensible shoes to pick in, a hat, sucscreen and a bottle of water are suggested. Water is available for sale in bottles at the weighing-in table.

If you prefer not to pick your own, our delicious blueberries are picked daily and are available at farm gate direct-to-the public prices but should be ordered ahead of time to be sure of availability.

Our pre-picked berries are sold in either 500g or 1Kg size containers, but please phone ahead and place your order to be sure your berries are ready

PICKING YOUR OWN BLUEBERRIES

Picking your own blueberries has its benefits and costs less, but also comes with responsibilities.

A lot of work has gone into planting, installing irrigation, weeding, pruning, feeding, mulching, and care of the plants in general, not to mention the astronomical cost of bird netting - so we ask you to treat them well and respect our property. Be careful not to break branches or step on smaller bushes that may have been planted in gaps in between larger bushes. Should you accidentally pull out an irrigation line from any plant, or cause other damage, please either correct the problem or notify us immediately so we can correct it.

For bagged plant areas, you must never cross above-ground irrigation lines. Areas free of plants are provided for you to cross. For areas where plants are directly planted in the ground, Please be very careful if you cross a row, as irrigation lines run along the top of the ground for the full length of the row, and if these lines are disturbed the plants will not receive water and will die.

We will show you where to start picking and someone will be available if you need help or have any questions.

If any areas are "roped off", do not go inside those areas. These areas are "roped off" for a reason, either due to berries not being ripe for picking, or there is some problem within the area.

Anyone not observing the farm rules while u-picking will be asked to leave and may be removed from the list of registered customers

HOW TO PICK BLUEBERRIES

Blueberries are ripe when they are completely blue. The part around the stem turns blue last so if it is GREEN, RED, OR WHITISH-YELLOW, the berry is not ready to be picked unless you want them for cooking or jam. You should expect to make some mistakes in the beginning and pick some berries that are not quite ripe and will be a little tart, but they add a really nice flavour once mixed together with the ripe berries.

To pick, take a bunch (cluster) of berries in your hand, first checking for unripe berries. It is best to cup your hand under the cluster of berries and gently roll the berries through your thumb and fingers - the ripe ones will fall into your hand and the unripe ones will hang onto the bush. These will be left to ripen for another day.

Blueberries like to hide in under the leaves and branches so be sure to check underneath and inside the bushes.

Some bushes have a lot more berries than others, but be sure to pick AKK of the ripe berries on the bush before moving on.

Once you have finished picking your berries, take them to the weighing station. Please note, no credit card facilities are available at the field so be sure to bring enough cash to pay for your berries.