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strawberries? raspberries? blueberries? The talk over which is one of the best berry might by no means be resolved, however this time of 12 months, the blueberry is everybody’s favourite selection. The blueberry choosing season begins in July and lasts till late August or early September. From easy blueberry choosing fields to full-service farms with playgrounds and petting zoos, we have rounded up a few of our picks for one of the best blueberry pickers close to Boston. And we have added our favourite New England blueberry pageant to our favourite family-friendly farms.
Discover extra seasonal berry-picking alternatives (and extra) in our farm information, the place you will discover out which farms close to Boston have livestock and even plan a family-friendly farm trip. And make sure to try our Summer time Enjoyable Information: Greatest Issues To Do in Boston with Children.
Learn on to the tip of the put up to discover a recipe for our favourite blueberry deal with: the basic blueberry buckle.
Selecting Blueberries Close to Boston: Household Pleasant Farms
1. Turkey Hill Farm-Haverhill
Positioned on the highest of a hill, this farm has an incredible view to get pleasure from whereas searching tasty berries. Containers are offered to select the berries, and loos and consuming water can be found. Turkey Hill doesn’t settle for bank cards, so make sure to carry some money. The farm is open for choosing from Tuesday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Name forward or go to the web site to see if blueberries are prepared to select. In the summertime months, raspberry and flower choosing can also be potential.
2. Boston Hill Farm-Andover
Along with u-pick, the property additionally has a play space with picnic tables; a petting zoo full with chickens, geese, rabbits, goats, sheep and calves; and an ice cream stand with many flavors of Richardson’s ice cream. Boston Hill Farm is open day by day from 9am – 7pm 12 months spherical, however name forward or go to the farm’s web site to verify the choosing schedule.
3. Tougas Household Farm-Northborough
This farm has a barnyard, playground, and farm kitchen, along with all of the u-pick fruits (together with blueberries, strawberries, apples, cherries, and extra). After choosing, children can go to the barnyard to observe the goats climb a rock mountain, then get pleasure from selfmade pastries, ice cream, and farm strawberry donuts on the Tougas Farm Kitchen. There may be an entrance payment that goes in the direction of the acquisition of your fruit. Tougas Household Farm is open Tuesday by Saturday from 8am – 4:30pm. Name forward or go to the web site to verify choosing availability.
One for the bucket, one to your mouth… Photograph by Peter MacDonald Courtesy of Massachusetts Workplace of Journey & Tourism
4. Ward’s Berry Farm – Sharon
There are eight forms of blueberries to select (plus tons of different fruit and veggies to select), and containers are offered. When you are on the farm, you’ll do haymaking, go to the livestock and go to the farm store for a sandwich and smoothie. The farm is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. Name the farm or verify their web site for choosing instances and circumstances.
5. Parlee Farms – Tyngsboro
Earlier than or after choosing, your children can go to Annie’s Animal Barn, which is residence to greater than 60 livestock for guests to pet and feed. The farm stall has native fruit and veggies and selfmade baked items. Deal with your little ones to a scoop of ice cream at their sales space earlier than leaving. Come again to select flowers and different fruits similar to apples, cherries, peaches, and strawberries. Parlee Farms is open Tuesday by Saturday from 8am – 4:30pm and Sundays from 8am – 1pm. Name forward to verify availability or watch At this time’s Farm Information.
6. Cider Hill Farm-Amesbury
Not solely does Cider Hill have nice PYO blueberries (and raspberries), however in addition they have a Tyke Yard and a sandbox for the children to play in. Be certain to hit the farm stall for one in all their well-known cider donuts earlier than you go. The farm even has its personal meals truck, The Pitchfork, so you may seize a chew to eat and chill out on the farm. From Might, the farm is open 7 days every week from 8 a.m. to six p.m. You should definitely go to the farm’s web site or name prematurely to verify choosing schedules and circumstances – in addition to to see what occasions (just like the annual Blueberry & Flower Fest) are developing!
7. Smolak Farms – North Andover
Plan to spend a while on this farm with a playground and livestock, together with U-pick blueberries (and a complete host of different pick-able fruit and veggies). Throughout pageant weekends, the farm additionally presents hay wagon rides, duck races and small wagons. You should definitely verify the occasions calendar to see if there are any particular actions if you plan to go. The farm stall has loads of treats and native produce, together with selfmade donuts and an ice cream window. The farm is open day by day from 7:00 AM to six:00 PM. Test the web site for seasonal festivals and occasions, in addition to day by day choosing instances and circumstances.
Look what I picked! Photograph courtesy of Doe Orchards
8. DIY Orchards-Harvard
Doe has two acres of tall bush blueberries (plus raspberries). The farm is close to a railway for simple entry. After your loved ones has completed choosing, see for those who can spot a large rock that appears like a whale! The farm is open Tuesday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Name forward to verify availability. And are available again all 12 months spherical to search out out when to come back again to select peaches and apples and even minimize down your individual Christmas tree.
Ideas for Selecting Blueberries with Children
- Choose thick berries which can be gentle gray-blue in shade. White and inexperienced coloured blueberries don’t ripen after being picked, though people who have turned purple or blue can.
- Blueberries cling in bunches from the bushes, and the simplest and quickest method to choose them is to carry your bucket beneath the department with one hand and scoop a ripe bunch right into a bowl together with your different hand and gently shake them with you. to rub fingers. Ripe berries fall into the bucket, whereas unripe berries stay on the bush.
- All the time name forward to verify the farm is open for choosing.
- Convey your individual buckets as they don’t seem to be all the time offered.
- Put on sunscreen, a hat and garments that may stand up to some blueberry stains.
Union Truthful, Maine’s Wild Blueberry Pageant
The 2022 Union Truthful, Maine’s Wild Blueberry Pageant, will happen July 27 by 31. Celebrated since 1960, this occasion celebrates the state’s official fruit, which grows all alongside the coast, in addition to Maine’s farming group. There are fireworks, carnival rides, a blueberry museum, and (after all) pie-eating and pie-baking competitions. Most blueberry-themed occasions, such because the coronation of the Blueberry Queen, happen on Friday, July 29. Youngsters’s day on the fairgrounds takes place on Saturday 30 July.
The sweetest treats come from the blueberries you picked! Blueberry Buckle picture courtesy of Style of Residence
Our favourite blueberry recipe
Should you occur to come back residence with extra blueberries than you may eat, we’re sharing one in all our all-time favorites. Having fun with!
blueberry buckle
Components
Cake
¼ cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon floor nutmeg
½ cup milk
2 cups recent blueberries
Topping
½ cup granulated sugar
⅓ cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup butter (1/2 stick)
½ teaspoon cinnamon
Journey instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 375 levels.
2. Butter and sugar.
3. Combine the egg.
4. In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt and nutmeg.
5. Add the flour combination to the creamed combination alternately with milk.
6. Fastidiously fold within the blueberries.
7. Pour into greased 8″ sq. pan.
8. For the topping, mix components and minimize in butter. Sprinkle over the batter.
9. Bake for 40-45 minutes. Cool on a rack.
Initially printed in July 2012
Up to date July 2022
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