How to Pick the Perfect Blueberries: Top Tips from Keel Farms
Blueberry picking in Tampa runs April to May and makes for the perfect activity to do with the whole family! With a clear, blue-skied day and 25 acres of farm to explore, spending a day at our U-pick farm in Tampa will bring countless memories and fresh fruit your whole group can enjoy. Here are our top tips for blueberry picking, from knowing you are picking the perfect ones to ideas on what to do with them after you leave our farm. We can’t wait to see you this blueberry season!
How to Pick the Best Blueberries
At Keel Farms, we offer one of the best destinations for U-pick farms in Tampa, and that is because of our high-quality homegrown fruits. Picking delicious, juicy blueberries is easy with high-quality farms like ours; however, there are still some techniques to ensure you do not damage the berries and that you are picking the ripest on the bush.
We recommend coming in the late morning, before the afternoon heat sets in, to prevent sunburn and dehydration. This is also when the berries are cool and firm, making them easier for little hands to pick and adult hands to manage. To pick a blueberry, simply roll it off the bush with your thumb into your palm. A ripe berry will come off the bush easily, with little to no pulling needed. Look for berries with a deep blue color and see-through white coating on them, indicating they have fully ripened. Unlike other fruits, blueberries will not continue to ripen after picking, so it is important to pick the ones that will already have the sweetest flavor.
The Best Ways to Enjoy Your Fresh-Picked Blueberries
There is nothing quite like eating a freshly picked blueberry right from the bucket moments after you picked it, but if you intend to take your pickings home, our favorite recipes to try include Baked Brie with Blueberries, Fresh Blueberry Crisp, and Blueberry Muffins. You can also stop by our tasting room to enjoy some of our famous Blueberry Wine. With dry or sweet options and a full kitchen serving food, there is something for everyone!
Blueberry picking in Tampa is best done with friends and family. That means another excellent way to enjoy your fresh-picked blueberries is together! Whether fresh from the bucket as you enjoy fun for the whole family around Keel Farms, or making a recipe together after your day of picking. U-pick farms in Tampa provide more than just a fun afternoon outside; they provide lasting enjoyment, getting to take pride in the work you put in to gather these blue gems.
Why Visit Keel Farms for U-Pick Blueberries in Tampa
Having started as a plant nursery and blueberry grower, it was in 2003 that Joe Keel decided to use an end-of-crop season batch of blueberries to make the first batch of wine that Keel Farms is now known and loved for. With more than two and a half decades of experience in growing blueberries and creating fun opportunities, Keel Farms knows how to host blueberry season with family-friendly fun for all!
With our Blueberry Festival happening every weekend throughout April (closed Easter Sunday), it is the perfect time to come check out all our farms have to offer! Enjoy blueberry picking in the morning, wine tasting, and a delicious meal in the afternoon, and the wonderful atmosphere of a wide range of activities the whole family can enjoy. Parking is $10 per car and entry is free for all ages.
We can’t wait to see you this Blueberry season - plan your visit today!
