There’s nothing quite like the taste of freshly picked blueberries, whether you’re foraging in the woods or stepping out into your own backyard. Whether you eat them raw by the handful or cook them down into a delicious jam or compote, a blueberry harvest is always worth the effort. Here’s everything you need to know to get the most out of your berry picking.
Wild Blueberries vs. Garden Varieties
Wild blueberries (often called huckleberries or bilberries depending on where you are) are usually found in boggy forest areas and ripen in mid-summer, typically starting in early July. These little guys grow very close to the ground, so be prepared to do some bending and crouching! Their harvest window is pretty short—usually just a few weeks—so you’ll want to move fast before they’re gone for the season.
Cultivated garden blueberries are a bit of a different story. You can enjoy a much longer harvest with these, often stretching from mid-summer all the way into the fall. Plus, garden varieties grow on much taller shrubs, which is way easier on your back!
There’s also a big difference in how they look and taste. Wild blueberries are small, punchy, and blue all the way through. That deep pigment is exactly why you end up with blue fingers and a blue tongue after snacking! Cultivated blueberries are larger and juicier, but they have a milder flavor compared to their wild cousins. Also, if you bite into a store-bought or garden blueberry, you’ll notice the inside is actually white, not blue.
Tips for a Successful Blueberry Harvest
Whether you’re heading to the forest or your own garden to harvest blueberries, you’ll want to have a few things ready:
- Several large, shallow containers
- Water and towels for cleaning your hands
- A garden kneeler or cushion (your knees will thank you!)
When picking, gently pull the berries from the branch and place them softly into your container. Try not to stack them too deep; blueberries are delicate, and the weight of the top layer can easily crush the ones on the bottom. If you do end up with some bruised berries, eat them right away or use them for baking, as they won’t stay fresh for long. Generally, blueberries only keep for a few days in the fridge, so enjoy them while they’re at their peak!
One quick safety tip: As tempting as those wild berries look, never eat them straight off the bush in the forest. You always want to give them a thorough wash first to avoid any risk of parasites like fox tapeworm. Resist the urge to snack while you pick, and wait until you can get them home for a good rinse!
