How to Pick Ripe Blueberries

Instead of purchasing blueberries from the store, you can pick your own from a blueberry bush. If you do not have your own blueberry bush, you can contact a local picking farm in your area to harvest fresh blueberries. Fresh blueberries are high in vitamin C, fiber and potassium. You can add blueberries to desserts like pies and cobblers, or you can eat them plain for a healthy snack.

Bucket
Colander
Paper towels
Airtight container
Cookie sheet

Instructions

- 1
  Allow the blueberries to grow for 60 to 90 days after they flower.
- 2
  Wait one to two weeks after the blueberries turn completely blue in color before you harvest them. This allows the blueberries to ripen and plump.
- 3
  Tap the blueberry vine to see if the berries fall off easily. If the berries fall off the vines once you tap or gently shake the vines or a clump of blueberries, then begin harvesting them.
- 4
  Harvest the blueberries from the tallest branch. Place a bucket under the blueberry vine or branch and roll your thumb along the cluster of berries and they will fall off into the bucket. The berries that are not ripe will remain on the branches.
- 5
  Pick the blueberries from the top of the bush and work your way down on one side. Continue to harvest the berries on another side of the bush until you have the desired amount of blueberries.
- 6
  Rinse the berries off in a colander with cool running water. Dry the blueberries on paper towels and store them in a single layer in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will last for up to one week if you store them properly. You can freeze them in a single layer on a cookie sheet and then store them in an airtight container if you need them to last for longer than a month.

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