Preserve The Harvest Series: Let's Talk Blueberries

Shari@puregrace
by Shari@puregrace
Preserve the harvest series presents a new fruit or vegetable every Tuesday with the goal of helping you get the most out of fresh fruits and vegetables harvested during peak season. Next up, blueberries and blueberry marmalade.
GROWING BLUEBERRIES AT HOME


Blueberries are one of the easiest fruits to grow organically, but proper preparation and patience are necessary to reap the full benefits. To grow properly blueberries require soil that is acidic, proper care for a shallow root system and plenty of water when fruiting. Blueberry plants take about 3 years before they begin to produce any sizeable amount of berries. Once fully mature you can expect about 8 quarts of berries per bush.
PURCHASING BLUEBERRIES


Blueberries ripen somewhere between mid July to mid August making this the best time to purchase blueberries if you are not fortunate enough to grow your own. When purchasing blueberries, look for berries that look fresh, plump and unblemished. A refrigerated display case is the best place to look. After purchasing, blueberries should be refrigerated as well for maximum longevity. When handled properly fresh blueberries should last for 10 – 14 days. Wash berries prior to eating.
FREEZING BLUEBERRIES


Blueberries may be frozen with great results. To freeze, rinse berries lightly and place on paper towel to soak up extra moisture. Arrange blueberries on a baking sheet in single layer and place in the freezer until frozen solid. Once frozen, remove berries and place in heavy duty freezer bag or use vacuum sealer. Frozen berries can be stored up to a year.
Shari@puregrace
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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