Tips for a Wonderful Outing to a You-Pick Blueberry Farm
There is a Florida You-Pick Blueberry Farm calling your name as we speak! Florida blueberries are ripe for the picking, and you won’t find fresher blueberries for such a bargain anywhere else, unless you grow them yourselves! Before you put on your blueberry-picking smile, check out our tips below to make sure that your outing to your local You-Pick blueberry farm is a good one!
Tips for Visiting a You-Pick Blueberry Farm
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Location, Location, Location. Find a You-Pick blueberry farm near you by using the You-Pick farm locator tool provided by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). Find the tool here.
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Gather Intel. Get the details on the You-Pick farm you’re heading to. Explore their website, social media sites, and online reviews. Find answers to a blueberry picker’s important questions: Do you need to bring your own bucket to hold the berries? Are they organic? Do they only take cash?
- Pick Up the Phone. While you may think you have all the information you need based on your website and social media searching, but things can change daily—even hourly—on a You-Pick farm. Call ahead just to make sure that they will be open when you arrive, especially if you are driving a ways.
- Check the Weather. The weather can change quickly in Florida, so make sure you know if dangerous weather is on its way.
- Gather Your Supplies. Make sure you have everything you will need, including sunscreen, water, and a cell phone. Remember that having extras or backups—such as a poncho for rain—can be a lifesaver.
- Dress for the Occasion. You are going to farm, so that means there will definitely be dirt and bugs. It’s not the venue for your new kitten-heel sandals or alligator-skin loafers. Make sure you’ve considered how to combat the effects of the sun, such as a hat, sunglasses, loose layers, and sunblock.
- Grab a Buddy. Blueberry picking is more fun when there’s more than one! It’s a great way for a family to get outside together, or even for friends to pass an afternoon. If you are going alone, make sure you let someone know where you are going and when you can be expected back, just for safety’s sake.
- Have a Plan for Your Blueberries. You’ll likely come home with a ton of fresh blueberries, and while blueberries are great all by themselves, you don’t want any to go to waste just because you couldn’t eat them in time! Follow our tips for freezing fresh blueberries here, and look for recipes on the BlueberriesFromFlorida.com recipes pages or the Blueberries from Florida Pinterest recipe boards!
Image courtesy of ChrisDag.
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