BUCKHANNON – The pandemic has not put an end to blueberry picking in Upshur and surrounding counties.
As the sun shines and we are having fewer cooler and rainy days, families are searching for fun activities to share while being safe and socially distanced. One great pursuit that offers a healthy and nutritious outcome is loading the family up and visiting a ‘pick-your-own’ field where families can enjoy harvesting big, red and juicy strawberries or plump, bright blueberries.
In past years, there have been quite a few farms who have opened their gates and allowed folks to come and harvest their own fruits; however, this year has been especially hard on berry farmers with lots of cold weather well into the spring, late snows and too much rain.
Unfortunately, all the pick-your-own strawberry farms we contacted had been picked dry for this year because of the inclement weather. However, everyone will be happy to learn that a local pick-your-own blueberry farm, Floral Acres, is open beginning today, Saturday, July 4.
Floral Acres, located at 385 Bridal Ridge Road in French Creek, is opening for their pick-your-own blueberries season this Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. and owner Dinah Campi said she is happy to be able to offer this for area folks.
“The weather has been a big factor on our season this year which is beginning a little later than normal,” Campi said. “But, we will open this Saturday and will be glad to see folks coming to get their blueberries.”
Campi said since the bushes are already ‘socially distanced’ and out of doors, patrons are not required to wear a mask while picking but are encouraged to remain apart from others who are picking.
She said they still will have buckets for folks to use while harvesting the blue beauties and that this year, the blueberries are $2.50 per pint. However, Campi recommends pickers bring their own straw hats this year.
Additional information about Floral Acres is available on Facebook, their website which is http://floralacres.com or by calling 304-924-6462.
For those who would like to venture a little further north for blueberry picking fun, Blueberry Ridge Farm offers ‘u-pick’ blueberries, but said as of this week, their berries are not quite ripe enough.
In the past, the farm has offered picking by July 4, but they said they do not believe they will be opening for u-pick until later in the week. Blueberry Ridge Farm is located at 98 Rustic Lane in Fairmont and information about them can be found on Facebook or by calling 304-368-8294.
According to the USDA website, blueberries have just 85 calories per cup and health benefits include their fiber, potassium, folate and vitamin C and B6 content. In fact, a cup of blueberries provides 24 percent of a person’s recommended daily allowance of vitamin C.
The Blueberry Council’s website (www.blueberrycouncil.org) said to store blueberries, wash them well before completely drying them. Place them on a cookie sheet and freeze. Once frozen, place in freezer bags and use within about 10 months.
