Pick-your-own season is underway
The recent stretch of rain over the Fourth of July weekend has given local blueberries a boost, as several New Hampshire farms are already underway with pick-your-own. Most will continue to produce blueberry varieties through the end of July or into August.
Berrybogg Farm in Strafford opened for the season on July 6, about a week ahead of schedule, according to owner Julie Butterfield. The 7-acre farm is now in its 45th season and grows nine varieties of blueberries over a period of roughly six weeks.
“We were a little worried with the drought in June, although we’ve got irrigation, [but] this recent rain was really beneficial for us,” Butterfield said.
Certain blueberry varieties can be more favored for either eating on their own or for baking with. Among the most popular varieties at Berrybogg Farm, Butterfield said, are a medium-sized tart blueberry called the Bluetta, as well as the Blueray and the Bluecrop.
“The Blueray and the Bluecrop varieties are very large and are great eating berries,” she said. “Then you have Northlands, which are smaller and very sweet. They’re better for baking.”
David Miller of Grounding Stone Farm, a 13-acre certified organic blueberry farm in Contoocook, was also able to open a week earlier than normal for pick-your-own.
“All berries love the hot weather, but they also need water,” Miller said. “The rain was extremely welcome. After it rained, everything just turned so blue. … We had to open, because the berries were literally ripening and falling off the bushes.”
Grounding Stone Farm grows Blueray and Bluetta blueberries, as well as a larger variety called the Patriot that Miller said can grow to the size of a quarter coin.
Apple Hill Farm in Concord, which grows 15 blueberry varieties, opened for pick-your-own on July 5. Co-owner Diane Souther said picking is available six days a week from Monday through Saturday, with the patches closed on Sunday to allow the berries to ripen.
“Overall they’re looking good,” Souther said of this year’s blueberry crop. “They’re plumping up and getting nice and juicy. … We’ll have varieties that will keep going through August.”
Blue Moon Berry Farm in Warner began its pick-your-own blueberry season on July 9 and is now open every day except Monday. According to Heidi Crozer, whose family runs the farm, there are a total of 12 blueberry varieties available for picking throughout the season.
“The last couple of seasons have been really short because of the drought,” Crozer said. “Last year it was only four weeks, and the year before it was five weeks. … Everything is weather-dependent so it’s hard to gauge the season, but we’re hoping for temperate weather.”
Blueberry maple syrup
Courtesy of Diane Souther of Apple Hill Farm in Concord
2 cups frozen or fresh blueberries
¾ cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon grated orange peel
1 Tablespoon cornstarch
½ teaspoon vanilla
½ teaspoon cinnamon
In a small saucepan, combine blueberries, maple syrup and orange peel. In a small cup, dissolve cornstarch in 2 tablespoons of water, then add to the blueberry mixture. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture boils. Reduce heat and simmer until the mixture thickens (about one minute). When thickened, add vanilla and cinnamon. Serve warm over pancakes, French toast or waffles.
Blueberry lemon muffins
Courtesy of Julie Butterfield of Berrybogg Farm in Strafford (makes about one dozen regular-sized muffins, or six extra-large muffins)
3½ cups flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
½ cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
2 cups buttermilk
½ cup melted butter
⅔ cup sugar
½ cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons lemon zest
2 cups blueberries
For the glaze:
Juice of a lemon (about ¼ cup)
½ cup sugar
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Mix flour, baking powder, ½ cup of sugar and salt in a large bowl. Beat eggs in a separate bowl. Add buttermilk and melted butter and mix well. Mix ⅔ cup sugar, oil, lemon zest and blueberries in another bowl. Add egg mixture and blueberry mixture to the flour mixture. Mix thoroughly and add to muffin tins. Bake for 25 minutes.
Where to pick your own blueberries
Check out this list of where to pick your own blueberries in southern New Hampshire — most of these farms will continue with blueberry varieties through the middle or the end of August, depending on the weather conditions. Be sure to contact the farm directly for the most up-to-date information.
Apple Hill Farm
580 Mountain Road, Concord, 224-8862, applehillfarmnh.com
Cost: $3.50 per pound
Picking hours: Monday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to noon
Bartlett’s Blueberry Farm
648 Bradford Road, Newport, 863-2583, bartlettsblueberryfarm.com
Cost: $3.10 per pound
Picking hours: Hours are generally 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. but may vary depending on the crop
Bascom Road Blueberry Farm
371 Bascom Road, Newport, 359-7703, bascomroadblueberryfarm.com
Cost: $20 per gallon or $11 per half-gallon
Picking hours: Current hours are Thursday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., but hours will likely expand mid-season
Berry Good Farm
234 Parker Road, Goffstown, 497-8138, find them on Facebook
Cost: $3.29 per pound
Picking hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Berrybogg Farm
650 Province Road, Strafford, 664-2100, berryboggfarm.com
Cost: $2.85 per pound ($2.75 per pound for seniors ages 65 and older)
Picking hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Blueberry Bay Farm
38 Depot Road, Stratham, 580-1612, blueberrybayfarm.com
Cost: $4.20 per pound
Picking hours: Daily, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Blue Moon Berry Farm
195 Waldron Hill Road, Warner, 410-9577, find them on Facebook
Picking hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Brookdale Fruit Farm
41 Broad St., Hollis, 465-2240, brookdalefruitfarm.com
Cost: $3.50 per pound
Picking hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Carter Hill Orchard
73 Carter Hill Road, Concord, 225-2625, carterhillapples.com
Cost: $3.25 per pound
Picking hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., when blueberries are available, which will likely be around mid-July; calling ahead is recommended
Grandpa’s Farm
143 Clough Hill Road, Loudon, 783-4384, grandpasfarmnh.com
Cost: $3 per pound
Picking hours: Now available daily, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Grounding Stone Farm
289 Maple St., Contoocook, 746-1064, groundingstonefarm.com
Cost: $5 per pint
Picking hours: Daily, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Kimball Fruit Farm
Route 122, on the Hollis and Pepperell, Mass., border, 978-433-9751, kimball.farm
Picking hours: Daily, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; blueberries will likely be available around mid-July
Lavoie’s Farm
172 Nartoff Road, Hollis, 882-0072, lavoiesfarm.com
Cost: $4.49 per pound
Picking hours: Daily, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Norland Berries
164 N. Barnstead Road, Barnstead, 776-2021, norlandberries.com
Cost: $2.75 per pound ($2.50 per pound for seniors)
Picking hours: Daily, 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Rossview Farm
85 District 5 Road, Concord, 228-4872, rossviewfarm.com
Cost: $3.20 per pound
Picking hours: Sunday and Monday, 8 a.m. to noon, and Tuesday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Saltbox Farm
321 Portsmouth Ave., Stratham, 436-7978, find them on Facebook
Cost: $5 per pound
Picking hours: Daily, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Stark Farm
30 Stark Lane, Dunbarton, 854-2677, starkfarmblueberries.com
Picking hours: Sunday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; calling ahead the day of or the night before is recommended
Sunnycrest Farm
59 High Range Road, Londonderry, 432-7753, sunnycrestfarmnh.com
Cost: $3.75 per pound
Picking hours: Daily, 7 a.m. to noon
Featured photo: Chicken marbella. Photo courtesy of Rig A Tony’s.