You Grow Girl™

Today was perfect Michigan weather– probably in the low 80’s, with a nice breeze, and very comfortable in the shade, while just hot enough in the sun to make you sweat a little.

My friend Jen and I spent a good seven hours in u-pick-land– although there was a break in the middle for black bean burritos, and a significant amount of travel time… But still, it was a long u-pick day.

And a great one, at that.

We started off at a u-pick rasberry farm not too far from where we live. It’s been around for 52 years, and you basically drive into these people’s driveway, and then go over a cord (I thought it was a small hose at first), that has a pleasant little ding, to let them know someone has arrived, in case they’re in the house… You stop and get your old milk jug with a rope (picking container) to wrap around your waste, and as many quarts as you expect to pick, plus a great wooden carrier (holds six quarts). Now I wish I’d taken photos of these things, but alas didn’t think about it at the time.

We spent about three hours picking– the rasberries are actually about two weeks early because of the heat we’ve gotten– but they say they’ll still bear until November 1 when they usually close for the season. Each of us picked 6 quarts, and probably ate at least one other while we were at, and got wholly sick of rasberries in the process. Jen says that’s why she’s able to go home and freeze so many– because she’s already OD-ed on them.

Rasberries are a little rough to pick– because you often only get pieces of the fruit, and there are prickles, and you really have to bend and crouch to get to them. And, many of these were intetwixed with a very thorny thistle… But alas, it was fun, and I feel much pride over these six quarts.

Next (after a stop in to local burrito stand for a fill-up) we headed west to the Dexter Blueberry Farm, where the pickin’ was great. It’s the beginning of blueberry season here, which I think doesn’t last as long as the rasberries… I hadn’t ever picked blueberries, besides wild ones (Vaccinium spp.) in the woods, which grow close to the ground. I didn’t realize how tall these would be– probably 6-7 feet.

Blueberry picking is much easier and faster than rasberries, and you can stay standing for the most part (not much crouching or bending), and there’s good shade from the tall plants. We each filled a gallon bucket, which ended up at just over 6 lbs (per bucket)– at $1/lb, it’s a great deal! Took us just over an hour to fill the bucket. I’m excited to go back for more later this month…

Tonight we had a potluck with some neighbors, and Sean had made delicious home-made icecream– and the fresh blueberries and rasberries were divine atop a scoop of it… What a delightful and delicious day!

Having viable farm land and u-pick places so near to where I live is a big plus for me, having grown up in a city (not a huge one, though) where that sort of opportunity was at the very least an hour a way, and likely not available at all. Michigan is known for it’s small fruits– from cherries to apples to blueberries– it’s the place to be. (Shouldn’t the state tourism department be paying me for these plugs??) Peaches are supposed to be in next week (a little later than usual) at our local u-pick place… and of course, things like corn and such are going strong– though I rely on my own gardens and the farmer’s market for most veggies. I do u-pick for fruits, mainly.

Here are a few shots of the blueberry harvest– maybe I’ll get some of the rasberries if I make something pretty out of them.