A couple weeks ago, I was shopping a local farmer’s store, and was looking for something to drink. I found a bottle of Mistic Bahama Blueberry in the refrigerated section. It has been a long time since I have a Mistic drink. I remember when I was in college, having bought a bunch of Mistic on clearance sale that I really enjoyed and was sad they were no longer producing that flavor. They had a couple flavors at this store, I decided to go with the blueberry. The ingredient lists read like this: Filtered water, high fructose corn syrup, pear juice from concentrate, citric acid, natural and artificial blueberry and raspberry flavors, gum acacia, blue 1, yellow 5.

This drink wasn’t bad, but it certainly wasn’t great. I would have liked the drink to be a little stronger on the flavor and for the texture to be a little thicker. It was an equal balance between blueberry and raspberry flavors. It still hit the spot on a very hot and humid day.

Where to Buy
I purchased my bottle at Alexander’s Farm Market in Whitmore Lake, Michigan
Also Sam’s Club carries a 24 pack of 3 flavors: Grape Strawberry, Kiwi Strawberry, and Tropical Fruit Punch

If you still want to pick blueberries this year, you are going to have to hunt for them. Most farms in the state are now closed but there are a few farms left open. It’s best to call them at this point in the season to make sure they are still picking.

OPEN for U-Pick
1. Dexter Blueberry Farm (located to the west of Ann Arbor & downtown Dexter) STILL has blueberries left, but the picking is slowing down. They will be done by September 7th. They sell for $1.60 a pound. I picked there on Saturday, July 31st. Click here to read about my experience. Click here to visit their website.

2. Czaika’s Blueberry Farm in Tawas City has blueberries left with the majority being at the center of the bushes. They hope to remain open through Labor Day. They are charging $1.00 per pound (that’s cheap!) If you wish to reach them you can call them at (989) 326-4638 or visit their website for updates.

3. Croswell Berry Farm in Croswell, MI (6 miles west of Lexington) may still have blueberries left. Call 810-679-3273 for crop conditions before coming. Click here for their website.

4. Erie Orchards in Erie, MI may still have blueberries through this weekend. They cost $2.50 per pound. For more information you can call them at 734-848-4518 or visit their website.

5. Buchan’s Blueberry Hill in Traverse City still has blueberries for u-pick. The cost is $1.85 per pound. They recommend you call ahead for picking conditions. You can reach them at 231-223-4846 or visit their website.

CLOSED for U-Pick
1. Woodland Berry Farms in Zeeland, MI is CLOSED for u-pick for the season. You can still buy frozen blueberries from them. For more information call them at (616) 875-8853 or visit their website.

2. Jones Berry Farm in Bridgman, MI is CLOSED for the season. Click here to visit their website.

3. Rambo Blueberries also located in Bridgman is CLOSED for the season. Click here to visit their website.

4. Hazen’s Farm in Howell, MI are MOST LIKELY CLOSED for the season. For more information call 517-548-1841. Click here for their website.

5. Harvey’s Farm in Tekonsha, MI is CLOSED for the season. Click here for their website.

6. DeGrandchamp’s Blueberry Farm in South Haven is CLOSED for the season. Click here for their website.

7. Kendall’s Blueberries in Hastings (about 50 miles southwest of Lansing) is CLOSED for the season. If you still wish to contact them, their phone number is 269-945-3735 or click here for their website.

8. Kapnick Orchards in Britton (close by to Adrian and Tecumseh) is CLOSED for the season. Their phone number is 517-423-7419. Click here for their website.

9. Spicer Orchards in Fenton is CLOSED for the season. To confirm call (810) 632-7692 and click here for their website.

Looking for a way to use up some blueberries. Check out my recipe for homemade blueberry lemonade. It’s delicious!

Click here for the most up to date blueberry news.

Sadly blueberry season is coming to an end in Michigan. The farms on the southwestern part of the state are pretty much all closed. Your best bet to pick blueberries still in Michigan are in the northern parts of the states and some places in the metro Detroit/Ann Arbor area. If you go and pick at any of these farms or already have this year I would love to hear about your experience, leave a comment below, including your e-mail address for if I have further questions. Now onto the updates from farms across the state.

OPEN for U-Pick
1. Dexter Blueberry Farm (located to the west of Ann Arbor & downtown Dexter) STILL has excellent picking conditions right now. They sell for $1.60 a pound. I picked there on Saturday, July 31st. Click here to read about my experience. Click here to visit their website.

2. Czaika’s Blueberry Farm in Tawas City has LOTS of blueberries for picking. They are charging $1.00 per pound (that’s cheap!) If you wish to reach them you can call them at (989) 326-4638 or visit their website for updates.

3. Croswell Berry Farm in Croswell, MI (6 miles west of Lexington) should be open for picking now. Call 810-679-3273 for crop conditions before coming. Click here for their website.

4. Spicer Orchards in Fenton may still have blueberries for picking. To confirm call (810) 632-7692 and click here for their website.

5. Erie Orchards in Erie, MI still has some blueberries for u-pick for $2.50 per pound. For more information you can call them at 734-848-4518 or visit their website.

6. Sandy Acres Blueberry Farm in Belleville is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9am to 5pm for u-pick. Their phone number 734-657-2828.

7. Buchan’s Blueberry Hill in Traverse City still has TONS of blueberries for u-pick. The cost is $1.85 per pound. They recommend you call ahead for picking conditions. You can reach them at 231-223-4846 or visit their website.

CLOSED for U-Pick
1. Woodland Berry Farms in Zeeland, MI is CLOSED for u-pick for the season. You can still buy frozen blueberries from them. For more information call them at (616) 875-8853 or visit their website.

2. Jones Berry Farm in Bridgman, MI is CLOSED for the season. Click here to visit their website.

3. Rambo Blueberries also located in Bridgman is CLOSED for the season. Click here to visit their website.

4. Hazen’s Farm in Howell, MI are MOST LIKELY CLOSED for the season. For more information call 517-548-1841. Click here for their website.

5. Harvey’s Farm in Tekonsha, MI is CLOSED for the season. Click here for their website.

6. DeGrandchamp’s Blueberry Farm in South Haven is CLOSED for the season. Click here for their website.

7. Kendall’s Blueberries in Hastings (about 50 miles southwest of Lansing) is CLOSED for the season. If you still wish to contact them, their phone number is 269-945-3735 or click here for their website.

8. Kapnick Orchards in Britton (close by to Adrian and Tecumseh) is CLOSED for the season. Right now they have peaches for picking and apples coming soon. Their phone number is 517-423-7419. Click here for their website.

Looking for a way to use up some blueberries. Check out my recipe for homemade blueberry lemonade. It’s delicious!

Do you have a bunch of blueberries on hand and are looking for something to do with them? A great idea is to use them in some homemade lemonade. Adding blueberry flavor to lemonade, gives it an extra note of flavor that is pleasing to the tongue. It’s a very simple process to make this lemonade. It starts with making the lemonade itself and then making a blueberry puree to add to it.

For the basic lemonade
1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 cup sugar
6 1/2 cups good tasting water

Add all these ingredients together in a 2 1/2 quart pitcher. Stir well to combine.

For the blueberry puree
6 oz fresh blueberries
sugar

Add sugar to the blueberries just to coat them as if you were going to eat them as in. Then take the blueberries for a spin in a blender or food processor. Pour the puree through a strainer to remove the skin.

Now add the puree to the lemonade and stir to combine. Taste it and add more water or sugar based on your preference. Chill your lemonade and enjoy!

Click here for the most up to date blueberry news.

We are beginning to pass the peak season of blueberry picking in Michigan. Some farms are closing down for u-pick and others are close. It seems most of the farms getting ready to close are the ones in southwestern lower Michigan (so if you leave in the east and north your chances are better). If you go and pick at any of these farms or already have this year I would love to hear about your experience, leave a comment below, including your e-mail address for if I have further questions. Now onto the updates from farms across the state.

1. Dexter Blueberry Farm (located to the west of Ann Arbor & downtown Dexter) has excellent picking conditions right now. Their Jersey variety has just come available and should be ripe for the picking for the next 2 weeks. They sell for $1.60 a pound. I picked there on Saturday, July 31st. Click here to read about my experience. Click here to visit their website.

2. Woodland Berry Farms in Zeeland, MI is winding down their blueberry season. They still have good picking on Blue Crop and Jersey varieties through tomorrow (8/7/10). Then they will send their machine to pick the rest of the berries, so you need to get their fast! They charge $1.25 a pound. For more information call them at (616) 875-8853 or visit their website.

3. Jones Berry Farm in Bridgman, MI will have their last day for u-pick on Sunday, August 8th. The cost is $1.35 a pound. Click here to visit their website.

4. Rambo Blueberries also located in Bridgman is closing for picking after today (8/6/10). They recommend you call ahead before you come in. Their phone number is (269) 426-4074. Click here to visit their website.

5. Czaika’s Blueberry Farm in Tawas City has LOTS of blueberries for picking. They are charging $1.00 per pound (that’s cheap!) If you wish to reach them you can call them at (989) 326-4638 or visit their website for updates.

6. Croswell Berry Farm in Croswell, MI (6 miles west of Lexington) should be open for picking now. Call 810-679-3273 for crop conditions before coming. Click here for their website.

7. Hazen’s Farm in Howell, MI is NOW open for picking. I had a friend visit their farm yesterday and said the picking was great. They are charging $1.42 a pound. For more information call 517-548-1841. Click here for their website.

8. Harvey’s Farm in Tekonsha, MI is NOW open for picking. They charge $1.25 per pound. They are located right off I-69, exit #25 (head west on M-60 1/4 mile to 15 Mile Road. Go north 1/4 mile to the farm located at 2651 15 Mile Rd.). Click here for their website.

9. DeGrandchamp’s Blueberry Farm in South Haven should be offering u-pick until August 15th. They are open daily from 8am-6pm. Click here for their website.

10. Kendall’s Blueberries in Hastings (about 50 miles southwest of Lansing) is CLOSED for the season. If you still wish to contact them, their phone number is 269-945-3735 or click here for their website.

11. Kapnick Orchards in Britton (close by to Adrian and Tecumseh) is OPEN for u-pick. They charge $2.00 a pound. Their phone number is 517-423-7419. Click here for their website.

12. Spicer Orchards in Fenton is currently open for picking. Please call ahead. Their phone number is (810) 632-7692 and click here for their website.

13. Erie Orchards in Erie, MI has blueberries for u-pick for $2.50 per pound. They should have berries until August 14th. For more information you can call them at 734-848-4518 or visit their website.

14. Sandy Acres Blueberry Farm in Belleville is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9am to 5pm for u-pick. Their phone number 734-657-2828.

15. Buchan’s Blueberry Hill in Traverse City are NOW open for u-pick. The cost is $1.85 per pound. They recommend you call ahead for picking conditions. You can reach them at 231-223-4846 or visit their website.

Looking for a way to use up some blueberries. Check out my recipe for homemade blueberry lemonade. It’s delicious!

There are a ton of blueberry farms that dot the state of Michigan. I would love to visit them all, but that isn’t possible. So it’s great when I know of someone who went to a farm I haven’t been to. Recently, some friends of mine visited Leduc Blueberries in Paw Paw, Michigan (11 miles west of Kalamazoo). Unlike other farms I have been u-picking at, this farm sells their blueberries by the tub. It costs $9 for the tub and you pay up front. Then you can put in as many blueberries as you can fit. My friend said it was about 7 pounds. Doing the math that works out to about $1.29 a pound, which makes it cheaper than some other farms.

When you are ready to pick, they assign you to a section to pick from. It is a large farm, so even the sections are still pretty big. One thing to note is that this farm sprays their berries. So you want to make sure you rinse them with water before consuming. Don’t rinse the berries until right before you use them as wet berries will not last as long.

My friend said the picking wasn’t as easy as a place she visited earlier in the season, as these bushes are starting to run low. I found out from the farm website, that this Saturday (August 7) will be the final day for picking.

Interested in other u-pick farms. Check out my U-pick section for news and reviews.

Looking for a way to use up some blueberries. Check out my recipe for homemade blueberry lemonade. It’s delicious!

Blueberries are one of my favorite fruits. So I jump at the chance to pick my very own. I did so today at Dexter Blueberry Farm in Dexter, Michigan (a short drive from Ann Arbor). The picking was excellent. To get there you pass through downtown Dexter, pass Jenny’s Farm Stand, and take a dirt road into the heart of farm land. When you arrive you park your car and head over to a small building to pick up your red bucket to carry your berries while you pick. The nice thing about these buckets is that they have a string on them so you can hang them around your neck. This makes for hands free picking. Once you have your bucket it is a very short walk to the blueberries.

They have a ton of bushes to pick from. On the day I went it an easy to find nice big ripe berries. The bushes are big and tall, so each produces quite a few berries. One advantage of these bushes is that they have ripe berries available at all different heights. So if you have a toddler with you, then can reach some berries themselves (good luck with actually getting those berries into a bucket!).

When you are all done you take your buckets of berries back to the front and they give you plastic bags to take them home in. The cost is $1.60 a pound and on this day we picked over 5 pounds before the rain could hit. This is my second year in a row out at this farm and I find it to be an enjoyable, peaceful experience. I also like getting to explore the stops (Jenny’s, the Farmer’s Market, downtown Dexter) on the way to and from the farm.

Click here to check out news from other blueberry farms across the state.

Looking for a way to use up some blueberries. Check out my recipe for homemade blueberry lemonade. It’s delicious!

Click here for the most up to date blueberry news.

Time again for my weekly update on the blueberry crop in Michigan. More varieties are becoming available and picking is pretty good across much of the state. Here are the updates from the farms I am following:

1. Dexter Blueberry farm (located to the west of Ann Arbor & downtown Dexter) has excellent picking conditions right now. Their Jersey variety has just come available and should be ripe for the picking for the next 3 weeks. They sell for $1.60 a pound. I picked there on Saturday, July 31st. Click here to read about my experience. Click here to visit their website.

2. Woodland Berry Farms in Zeeland, MI has three varieties of blueberries currently available for u-pick: Blue Crop, Jersey, and Blue Ray. They charge $1.25 a pound. For more information call them at (616) 875-8853 or visit their website.

3. Jones Berry Farm in Bridgman, MI is NOW open for u-pick. They are saying they have a “bountiful blueberry crop”. Click here to visit their website.

4. Rambo Blueberries also located in Bridgman, has the Jersey variety now available to pick. Their Bluecrop berries are almost gone. They recommend you call ahead before you come in. Their phone number is (269) 426-4074. Click here to visit their website.

5. Czaika’s Blueberry Farm in Tawas City is opening up this Saturday, July 31st. They are charging $1.00 per pound (that’s cheap!) If you wish to reach them you can call them at (989) 326-4638 or visit their website for updates.

6. Croswell Berry Farm in Croswell, MI (6 miles west of Lexington) should be open for picking now. Call 810-679-3273 for crop conditions before coming. Click here for their website.

7. Hazen’s Farm in Howell, MI is NOW open for picking. I had a friend visit their farm yesterday and said the picking was great. They are charging $1.42 a pound. For more information call 517-548-1841. Click here for their website.

8. Harvey’s Farm in Tekonsha, MI is NOW open for picking. They charge $1.25 per pound. They are located right off I-69, exit #25 (head west on M-60 1/4 mile to 15 Mile Road. Go north 1/4 mile to the farm located at 2651 15 Mile Rd.). Click here for their website.

9. DeGrandchamp’s Blueberry Farm in South Haven says they are at the peak of their season, so come on over. They are open daily from 8am-6pm. Click here for their website.

10. Kendall’s Blueberries in Hastings (about 50 miles southwest of Lansing) are almost out of blueberries. The birds have been having a field day on the crop, so it is becoming more of a search now. Before coming I recommend calling ahead to make sure they are still picking. Their phone number is 269-945-3735 or click here for their website.

11. Kapnick Orchards in Britton (close by to Adrian and Tecumseh) will open for u-pick on Friday, July 30th. They are picked out of their early variety and are just waiting to open again with the later varieties. They charge $2.00 a pound. Their phone number is 517-423-7419. Click here for their website.

12. Spicer Orchards in Fenton is currently open for picking. Their phone number is (810) 632-7692 and click here for their website.

13. Erie Orchards in Erie, MI has blueberries for u-pick for $2.50 per pound. For more information you can call them at 734-848-4518 or visit their website.

14. Sandy Acres Blueberry Farm in Belleville is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9am to 5pm for u-pick. Their phone number 734-657-2828.

15. Buchan’s Blueberry Hill in Traverse City are NOW open for u-pick. The cost is $1.85 per pound. They recommend you call ahead for picking conditions. You can reach them at 231-223-4846 or visit their website.

Keep coming back to the website for updates as the season progresses.

Click here for the most up to date blueberry news.

Blueberry season is in full swing across the southern part of Michigan. Below is a list of blueberry farms that are offering u-pick this season. If you don’t find one in your area, leave a comment and I will try to find one for you. If you have been to one of these farms, feel free to leave a comment, describing your experience.

1. Dexter Blueberry farm (located to the west of Ann Arbor & downtown Dexter) is NOW open for u-pick blueberries. They say the picking conditions are excellent. They sell for $1.60 a pound. I picked their twice last season and it was a great experience and they are plenty of bushes to pick from. Click here to visit their website.

2. Woodland Berry Farms in Zeeland, MI has three varieties of blueberries currently available for u-pick: Blue Crop, Jersey, and Blue Ray. They charge $1.25 a pound. For more information call them at (616) 875-8853 or visit their website.

3. Jones Berry Farm in Bridgman, MI is NOW open for u-pick. They are saying they have a “bountiful blueberry crop”. Click here to visit their website.

4. Rambo Blueberries also located in Bridgman, is OPEN for business. Their Bluecrop variety is available for picking. They recommend you call ahead before you come in. Their phone number is (269) 426-4074. Click here to visit their website.

5. Czaika’s Blueberry Farm in Tawas City has not set their opening date for u-pick yet, but they expect it to be any time now. Call them at (989) 326-4638 or visit their website for updates.

6. Croswell Berry Farm in Croswell, MI (6 miles west of Lexington) should be open for picking now. Call 810-679-3273 for crop conditions before coming. Click here for their website.

7. Hazen’s Farm in Howell, MI is NOW open for picking. I had a friend visit their farm yesterday and said the picking was great. They are charging $1.42 a pound. For more information call 517-548-1841. Click here for their website.

8. Harvey’s Farm in Tekonsha, MI is NOW open for picking. They charge $1.25 per pound. They are located right off I-69, exit #25 (head west on M-60 1/4 mile to 15 Mile Road. Go north 1/4 mile to the farm located at 2651 15 Mile Rd.). Click here for their website.

9. DeGrandchamp’s Blueberry Farm in South Haven says they are at the peak of their season, so come on over. They are open daily from 8am-6pm. Click here for their website.

10. Kendall’s Blueberries in Hastings (about 50 miles southwest of Lansing) has blueberries for u-pick for $1 a pound (cheapest in the state that I know of). They have 7 acres of blueberries that including these varieties: Blueray, Bluecrop, Nelson, Elliott, Rubel and Duke. Click here for their website.

Keep coming back to the website for updates as the season progresses.

Question: How Much are Michigan Blueberries in 2010?

There are many sources you can get blueberries from in Michigan. At the grocery store you should expect to spend no more than $2 a pint, often less during the peak season. Right now, Meijer has a 2 pound container of blueberries for $3.99.

You can also find blueberries at your local farmer’s market. You will pay more money there, often around $4 a pint, but they will be better quality than what you get at a supermarket.

The best option for quality and price is to pick your own blueberries. Typically prices run from $1.60-$2 a pound. This way you get supermarket prices and farmer’s market quality. Each week throughout the blueberry season you can find weekly updates on the blueberry u-pick farms in Michigan. Click here to read my latest u-pick updates (includes other fruit besides blueberries).

Looking for a way to use up some blueberries. Check out my recipe for homemade blueberry lemonade. It’s delicious!