"What are your hours and dates of operation?"
Hours and dates - Our season is typically between the middle of June to the middle of July.
Please contact us via telephone 417-935-2300 or continue to check this site for specific open dates.
"How much do the blueberries cost?"
The price is $15 per dry gallon bucket including tax. This is approximately $2.50 per pound. In recent years we had been selling by the pound, but last year we went back to selling by the bucket for quicker service. However, by this method it is important that the bucket must not be overfilled. Partial buckets will be estimated by measurement. The price is an increase of approximately $0.50 per pound over the price we have had for many, many years. The cost of production has gone up considerably over all these years. It appears the typical U-pick price in our area is $4.00 per pound. We hope this modest increase is not a burden for anyone, but we know it is not practical to keep producing berries for any less.
"Do I need to bring my own bucket?"
Buckets and liners are provided. The liners also serve as bags to transport berries home.
"If I can't come out and pick for myself, do you take we-pick orders?"
We do not have berries already picked and encourage pickers to assist each other on getting the berries picked.
Do you spray pesticides on the plants?
We have sprayed very little in the last few years. We attempt to avoid spraying, but the berries may be sprayed on an as-need basis. Check for current spraying info on the main page. After 25 years without spraying we were forced to spray to keep from closing the patch. However,we are able to use one of the safest pesticides. It is in the pyrethroid class which is a synthetic form of the natural organic pyrethrins produced by the flowers of pyrethrums. While many pesticides require several days for a pre-harvest interval, PHI, (even the pesticide Sevin requires a 7 day PHI) ours only requires 1 day bertween when it is applied and harvest. We may also use Malathion, the common spray available to consumers which also has a 1 day PHI.
When is the best time to wash berries that are to be frozen?
The most reliable sources on this subject recommend washing the blueberries after they are frozen, especially if one plans to eat them uncooked.
What is the best way to wash the berries?
Accorrding to Center for Food Safety, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends against using commercial food rinses due to possible undesirable residues and unproven effectiveness. They recommend soaking the berries in water for one to two minutes in cold tap water. The University of Maine tested three commercial wash treatments, comparing them to water and found the water to be as effective or more effective. University of Maine cooperative extension bulletin #4336.
