Blueberry season is underway, with pick-your-own farms in the Monadnock region reporting an excellent crop this year, after perfect weather conditions.
Wayne Colsia, owner of Paradise Farm in Lyndeborough, said that for the past few years, weather conditions haven’t been ideal for blueberries, with either too little or too much rain, but so far, early summer conditions have been perfect to create a large crop.
“The berries are fantastic. We’ve already been picking for two weeks,” said Colsia. “They’re big, and there’s plenty of them. It’s a mega crop this year. We’ve had one of the nicest summers we’ve had in a long time — plenty of rain, sun and heat, and not too much of any of them. It’s absolutely ideal conditions.”
Blueberries at Paradise Farm are currently priced at $4.50 per pint.
All of Paradise Farm’s blueberries are raised organically, without the use of pesticides.
It is not only blueberry season at the farm. The farm also offers pick-your-own raspberries and pick-your-own peaches, with raspberries currently in season, and peaches starting next month. Pick-your-own apples will be available in the fall.
Colsia’s farm has about 500 high bush Patriot variety blueberries, which is an early variety of blueberry, and will produce fruit through early to mid-August.
Beth LeClair, owner of Barrett Hill Farm in Mason, said that the farm opened for pick-your-own blueberries on Saturday, and her crop also is set for a healthy production year.
“We have a nice set of berries in the field,” LeClair said.
Barrett Hill has multiple varieties of blueberries, including Bluecrop and Blueray, and expects a growing season of about six weeks, starting mid-July. The farm has about four acres of blueberry bushes. The price per pound for pick-your-own is currently $5.
Like Paradise Farm, Barrett Hill Farm offers pick-your-own raspberries, which are currently in season. LeClair said the crop has also been bountiful this year, and the berries are available for $6.50 per pound for pick-your-own.
They also offer pick-your-own flowers, including varieties of snapdragon and zinnia.
Paradise Farm is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily for pick-your-own. Payment is self-serve, and only cash or check is accepted. Paradise Farm crops can also be purchased retail at Lavoie Farm in Hollis and Fitch’s Corner in Milford. For more information about the farm’s crops and pasture-raised meats, visit paradisefarmnh.com or contact Colsia at 603-345-0860.
Barrett Hill Farm is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for pick-your-own blueberries and raspberries every day except Monday and Thursday. Berries can also be purchased at the Barrett Hill Farmstand on 450 Fitchburg Road, which also sells Barrett Hill Farm meats and vegetables and peaches.