• slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide

Harvesting and Preserving Blueberries

Summer means garden fresh blueberries from your backyard or pick-your-own farm.  Get the best flavor with proper harvesting, storage and preservation.

Watch as the berries turn from green to completely blue. Then wait a few days for them to fully ripen and spring back when gently squeezed. Taste a few ripe berries so you begin to know what a fully ripe blueberry looks and feels like.

Carefully remove only the ripe berries from the plant by gently rolling the berry between your thumb and forefinger with palm facing up to catch any dropped fruit.

Store berries in shallow layers in covered containers in the fruit or vegetable drawer of the refrigerator.

Wait to wash berries just prior to using or preserving. Wet berries are more subject to mold and don’t last as long.

Properly handled blueberries can last up to 14 days in the refrigerator,

A bit more information: You can preserve blueberries by freezing them. No need to blanch. Just wash and spread on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper until frozen solid. Then place in a freezer bag and store in freezer until needed.

Related

Upcoming Webinars & Appearances


March 25, 2023
OCMGA Annual Garden Conference
Appleton, Wisconsin

March 26, 2023
REALTORS Home & Garden Show
West Allis, Wisconsin

March 29, 2023
FREE WEBINAR: 
Gardening Basics to Boost Your Success
Register now

April 1, 2023

REALTORS Home & Garden Show
West Allis, Wisconsin

April 5, 2023
FREE WEBINAR: 
What's New - Discover
New & Unique Plants!
Register now

April 11, 2023

Southwestern Indiana Master Gardener Association's 2023 Speaker Series
Darmstadt, Indiana
 

April 18, 2023
FREE WEBINAR: 
Growing a Bountiful Harvest even when Time, Space & Budget are Limited

Register now

April 20, 2023
SC Johnson Golden Rondelle Theater Speaker Series
Racine, WI
Register now

April 22, 2023
Pasquesi Home & Gardens
Lake Bluff, IL

April 25, 2023
Frederik Meijer Gardens
Grand Rapids, MI

Watch Melinda's past webinars ON DEMAND

Learn More

Book an Appearance

Learn More

Enter to Win Melinda's Container Gardening Tips & Techniques DVD set

ENTER NOW