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Blueberry Picking Northern MN

Blueberry season is just around the corner, so why not kick off the season with a few quick tips and facts about these delicious fruits! Blueberries start ripening in mid to late July, and will continue into August. You don’t need any fancy equipment to pick berries, a gallon bucket works perfectly to hold the fruit as you pick them. 

Blueberries are usually found in areas that are somewhat sandy or rocky. This generally includes the edges of forests, forest clearings, or walking paths. These berries are given a great kickstart in areas that have been ravaged by forest fires. Even years after a forest fire these berries will continue to flourish. For those who live near Roseau, Beltrami Forest is a great place to find these berries. 

Blueberries Roseau

Wild blueberries are often smaller than store-bought blueberries, so don’t expect to win any of the largest fruit competitions! Blueberries that are ripe are easily removed from the bush, so don’t pull too hard on these fruits, they may need a bit more time to ripen. Blueberries are often easier to pick when done individually or in small clusters. But you can also rake your hands through the bush and come out with a handful of berries, just expect to pick out some loose leaves when you’re done! 

Though you may not need any fancy equipment, there are a few things that come in handy when searching for these delicious berries. It is strongly recommended to bring bug spray and apply it regularly while picking berries to avoid itchy mosquito bites in the days to come. It would also be helpful to wear long pants while picking berries to avoid any cuts from the thorns on the bushes. Don’t forget to bring some water to keep yourself hydrated. 

So after all that hard work you can either enjoy the berries plain or enjoy them in a large variety of other ways. A simple and delicious blueberry recipe is to just pour some milk and a bit of sugar into a bowl with the berries and enjoy! But if you want a bit of a fancier alternative, here is a delicious recipe for a blueberry pie courtesy of Betty Lessard, owner of Betty’s Pies in Duluth, MN. 

Blueberry Pie

Baked Blueberry Pie 

  • 1 cup sugar 
  • 5 Tablespoons flour 
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon 
  • 4 cups fresh or frozen blueberries 
  • 1 ⅓ Tablespoons butter 

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit 

Make pastry for a two-crust pie. Line a 9-inch pie pan with rolled-out pie crust. Combine sugar, flour, and cinnamon and mix well. Mix lightly with 4 cups of blueberries and pour into a pastry-lined pan. Dot with the butter and cover with a top crust, pierce with a fork and sprinkle with sugar.

Bake for 20 minutes, then turn the oven down to 375 and bake an additional 30 to 35 minutes. 

So what are you waiting for? Let’s go pick some blueberries!