Debbie Snapp
ECB Publishing, Inc.
Will U-Pick Farms be able to continue as they have? Maybe...with a few changes! Social distancing, wearing masks and gloves and “no sampling” just may be the new norm even after the coronavirus scare is under control.
Blue Sky Farm, a u-pick blueberry operation just outside of the Monticello city limits, will plan to open in early June...if all goes well.
Established in 2012 by owners Pete and Dana Crosby, handpicked blueberries are offered for purchase and take home or pick your own. With over 350 blueberry bushes, planted by hand, the new crop should be ready for harvesting in early June.
“We will be open for season starting early June,” says Dana. “To keep everyone safe and to comply with Department of Agriculture recommendations, we are putting a few things in motion. Since we can have only limited folks at a time, we are requesting folks to request an appointment to come out and pick via email to blueskyfarmllc@gmail.com or text to (850) 545-6128. Additionally, we are requesting that only big and serious pickers come out (six pounds or more). The price will be right, and even further discounts will be given for picking over six pounds.”
Blue Sky Farm will also be double sanitizing the scales and surfaces, and requesting folks hand sanitize before and after picking. Customers may also bring their own berry containers or use the ones supplied by the farm, as they are biodegradable/disposable bags. Blue Sky Berry Farm, LLC is located at 1180 Ashville Hwy., in Jefferson County.
Blueberry Springs Farm is another family owned and operated u-pick operation in Jefferson County. Located at 383 Wacissa Springs Rd., in Wacissa, owners Jack and Teresa Krause offer a selection of blackberries and blueberries. Roses and other plants, fruit and vegetables are also on the farm and for sale to the public.
Opened in 1981, Blueberry Springs Farm now yields more than 4,000 blueberry bushes and 800 blackberry plants. The farm should be open in early May for blackberry picking and early June for blueberry picking. The type of berries grown are of the rabbiteye variety, which are native to north Florida and the south, and are only in season for eight weeks usually from May to July.
Growing a productive harvest is a year-long process, using no pesticides, just standard fertilizer and attentive trimming. Hours of operation will hopefully be the same this year: 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Call ahead to be sure, (850) 997-1238 or blueberrysprings@aol.com.
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