Along the Bayfield Fruit Loop, you'll find various locally grown and harvested fruits, including blueberries. This delicious fruit loaded with antioxidants is not only good for you, but it is ripe and ready for picking in Bayfield from Late July to early September. Here are some reasons why Bayfield provides a great environment for blueberry picking and where you can find this delicious and healthy fruit.
Click here to view a feature story about the Bayfield Fruit Loop from WDIO TV.
Why Blueberries in Bayfield?
Blueberries are a native plant to North America and have been part of life here for 13,000 years, but their commercial cultivation is a relatively recent development. According to the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, the first highbush blueberry bush was successfully cultivated for commercial production in the early 1900s. In Bayfield, Highland Valley Farm and Pikes Creek Winery and Garage Mahal sell to wholesale markets.
Growing blueberries is one of patience and perseverance. It takes 1-2 years for the plant to produce fruit and 12-15 years for a blueberry bush to fully mature. There are three key environmental conditions needed to make blueberries happy and Bayfield has them all.
- Temperate Climate: The Bayfield peninsula experiences all four seasons. Winter is essential for blueberry plants, as they require a dormant period to rejuvenate and produce fruit.
- Acidic Soils: The Bayfield peninsula has naturally acidic soils, which make it a great place for this antioxidant fruit.
- Presence of Moisture: Blueberry roots want to be "tickled" by water all the time; however, the plant is severely damaged when subjected to standing water. Soil drainage is critically important to making this plant happy. All the roots of the blueberry plant are in the top two feet of the soil.
The best time to pick Bayfield blueberries is in August. They are ready to pick when the blueberries are completely blue from the stem to the calyx, or the "crown" at the opposite side of the berry.
Visitors can enjoy the peacefulness of picking their own blueberries in the fields or purchase a pint of already-picked blueberries at the farm stands and shops. They are the perfect snack to take with you on your adventures around Bayfield and the Apostle Islands. Blueberries are also great in your favorite breakfast or dessert.
Where Can I Find Blueberries In Bayfield?
Check out the map below to see where you can pick up a pint or gallon of Bayfield blueberries.
Click here for the Berry Farm and Orchard Report to see what fruit is available at all the farms along the Fruit Loop.
*Information for this article came from Rick Dale, founder of Highland Valley Farm and Bayfield Blues and the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council website.
