Blueberries—or “huckleberries” if you’re finding them in the wild—are a staple in the American garden and kitchen. Whether you’re foraging in a sun-dappled forest or picking from your own backyard bushes, these little blue gems are a healthy, delicious treat. Here is everything you need to know about harvesting them the right way.
Picking Wild Blueberries
Do you remember having blue-stained fingers as a kid after a day in the woods? Or maybe a blue mouth after diving into a bowl of Grandma’s blueberry cobbler? Wild blueberries grow in the light underbrush of forests and pack a serious flavor punch. Starting in early July, keep an eye out for low-growing bushes during your nature walks.
Those ripe berries look absolutely mouth-watering, but here’s a pro tip: never eat them straight off the bush in the wild. You want to avoid any risk of parasites like fox tapeworm, which can be dangerous for humans. Always give your wild harvest a thorough wash once you get home. When you head out to forage, I recommend bringing:
- Several shallow containers (stacking berries too deep will crush the ones on the bottom),
- A gardening pad or cushion for your knees (since wild berries grow close to the ground), and
- A bottle of water and a rag for your hands (just to clean up—not for washing the berries!).
How to Tell When Blueberries Are Ripe
If trekking through the woods isn’t your thing, you can easily grow [linku=heidelbeersorten]cultivated varieties[/link] right at home. These garden berries are much larger and offer a way bigger yield. Interestingly, wild blueberries and the “highbush” varieties we grow in our gardens aren’t actually the same plant—they’re distant cousins at best!
The golden rule for blueberries is to only pick them when they are fully ripe. Unlike some other fruits, they won’t continue to ripen once they’re off the branch. Look for a deep, dusty blue color with just a hint of a reddish tint. They should feel plump and give slightly when squeezed, rather than being rock hard. If you have to tug on the berry, it’s not ready yet; a ripe blueberry should practically fall into your hand. Since they ripen in stages, you can enjoy a harvest that lasts from July all the way into September. Check out more on harvest timing here.
Hand-Picking vs. Using a Berry Rake
You’ve got two main options for the harvest: the “thumb roll” or a berry rake (also called a blueberry comb). Both have their pros and cons. Picking by hand—rolling each berry off with your thumb—allows you to be picky and only grab the best fruit. It takes longer, but it’s worth it if you only have a few bushes.
If you have a whole hedge of blueberries, a berry rake can save your back. It’s much faster, though you’ll likely catch a few unripe green ones in the mix. Just keep in mind that blueberries bruise easily! Any damaged fruit should be eaten right away or turned into jam or smoothies immediately.
