frequently asked questions

How do I care for my blueberries? Upon arrival home, roll berries on a dish towel to remove any stems or leaves. Then chill or freeze berries as soon as possible to maintain high nutrition and flavor. To refrigerator, store dry, unwashed berries in an open top container. To freeze, pour dry, unwashed berries onto a shallow pan to freeze before pouring into freezer containers or bags and closing tightly. When ready to use, rinse with cool water and enjoy!

Why do you want us to use BFS picking supplies? We want to minimize the risk of transporting insects and viruses from other farms into our blueberry field.  Please pick into a cardboard flat and then take it home. For smaller amounts, pick up one of our buckets, place a plastic bag inside,  and then take just the bag home with you. In the past we've allowed people to bring their own containers, but COVID guidelines mandate that we have customers use the containers we provide.

Why do you include “or until all ripe berries have been picked” in your posted hours? As a pick your own farm, we have no control over the number of customers that come each day. Some days we have enough people to pick the field early so then we update website, phone line, and sign at the end of the driveway to say we are closed. We apologize and do our best to only open when we have an abundant harvest and to post our closing as soon as possible. Best advice is “Come early.”

Why do you encourage everyone to pick all the ripe fruit before going to the next bush? 1. This ensures a fresh harvest in a couple of days for the next customer picking. Practice kindness. 2. Picking all the ripe fruit decreases the amount of ripe fruit dropping on the ground which in turn naturally decreases the chances of pests in our blueberry field. Thank you for helping with pest control!

Why can't we pick anywhere we want to? Simple answer: birds. Netting is vital or the birds take bites and leave juicy, messy berries. So we have to pick a complete row and then recover for protection.

Do you allow children? Yes but please read our Children’s Policy before coming to the field to make it a positive experience for everyone.

Can we sample the blueberries? MN Dept. of AG recommends washing all fresh produce before eating and also discourages eating in the field because of COVID.  If you choose, sample a few but please enjoy your berries after washing them. Near the port-a-potty, there is a hand washing station with bags for rinsing a few blueberries for a snack on the way home!​

Will my berries be OK in the car while I have lunch in Stillwater? Please bring a cooler with ice to preserve the nutrition and flavor of your berries. Chill or freeze as soon as possible.

How can I pick on a hot day? Dress for the weather. Hats, plus light colored, loose fitting clothes are best. Sunscreen is advised. Cold water is available in the field. Bring your own water bottle (No glass) to your picking area, which makes it easier to stay hydrated. We offer shady picnic areas for snack breaks and picnics. Portable toilet and hand washing station are available.

How do I  pick blueberries? With your hand under them,  roll the berries with your thumbs and fingers, letting drop into your hand. If you notice berries dropping onto the mulch, stop and remember to keep your hand underneath them. Pick all blue berries (large and small) on the top and front side of the bush first. Then separate the branches, opening the middle of the bush to get the hidden clusters. End by lifting the lower branches to pick any berries that might be lower to the ground. Make sure all ripe blueberries are picked off the bush before moving to the next bush and leave a clean starting point for the next customer.

What is the big deal about bees? Every blueberry blossom must be visited by a bee to become a berry. We are creating beautiful pollinator habitats. Bees may still be in the field, so we post a caution to anyone with bee allergies.

Why are there rock bags next to your bushes? We use them as weights for netting and winter row covers.

Questions about COVID-19? Click Here: 

Anything else I should know?  For Safety: Please No Pets, No Glass in field. This is a working farm. Ground may be uneven. We close for thunder, lightning, and rain. If there is a light drizzle without a storm forecast, we may keep picking.