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Our delicious blueberry crop begins near the end of
the strawberry season (mid-July), and lasts from four to five weeks. Blueberry
picking hours are from 8:00 to Noon, with selected evening hours, just
as with the strawberry season. Our produce update will keep you informed.
Our plants were developed by the University of Minnesota Research Station
in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. They were selected to withstand the rigors
of our climate, and for their excellent flavor. If you haven't tried them
yet, make plans to visit our farm. Consider the fact that you are the
only one to touch your fruit!
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Our blueberry patch was established in 1985. As the plants have grown,
the space between the rows has decreased, to the point that no mechanized
equipment will fit between or over the rows. All work is done by hand,
including pruning 1600 bushes every Spring. Since our patch is small and
the insects haven't yet located our bushes, we have never needed to apply
any pesticides to the fruit. You do not need to wash the berries, as there
is no residue on them.
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Plan to sit on the ground to pick. The bushes are from two to four feet
tall. The berries are plentiful, but picking goes much slower than strawberries,
due to the berry size. We do not encourage you to bring small children,
because they soon lose patience and ultimately urge you to leave before
you have ample fruit picked.
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Health Benefits of Blueberries
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Did you know that Blueberries rank at the top of the list of fruits
for their antioxidant value? What that means for you is that eating only
1/2 cup a day will fortify your immune system against cancer and delay
the effects of aging and heart disease. The ability of blueberries to
do this comes from the naturally occuring chemicals in the skin pigment.
These chemicals, called anthocyanins, combat the harmful effects of free
radicals in the body. If you would like to read more about the current
research on free radicals and antioxidants, click
here.
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You know the old adage, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound
of cure." Now you can be proactive about your health and prevent
cell damage that leads to aging and cancer by simply eating foods that
are not only delicious, but also good for you. The new catch phrase is,
"Health comes from the farm, not the Pharmacy."
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You know the old adage, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound
of cure." Now you can be proactive about your health and prevent
cell damage that leads to aging and cancer by simply eating foods that
are not only delicious, but also good for you. The new catch phrase is,
"Health comes from the farm, not the Pharmacy."
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By the way, strawberries rank near the top of that list, as well as other
dark colored berries, like raspberries and blackberries. The deeper the
color, the better, when you are considering antioxidants, and health effects.
Tablets containing these refined nutraceuticals won't do the trick. Eat
the whole food, as the research indicates there are other, yet unidentified,
chemicals that work together to provide the complete health benefit.
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