Eat them by the handfuls, bake them in muffins or freeze to enjoy this winter, it is blueberry season in Wisconsin. I finally had a day to go blueberry picking at Porter’s Patch in Bonduel, WI. I try to go to new farms every year and this was my first visit to Porter’s Patch. Easy to find and only about 45 minutes from my house, I enjoyed my back road country drive on a hot August afternoon. In addition to having u-pick blueberries the farm has a vegetable stand with lots of great fresh veggies. I went home with my hand-picked blueberries plus a few tomatoes and cucumbers.
Porter’s Patch is open daily from noon to 4 pm with blueberry picking available from 12 to 3 during season. At the time of my visit I was the only customer in the blueberry field – it was so peaceful listening to the wind rustle and the birds chirp while I quietly picked my berries. The blueberries were a little smaller than I would have liked, but just as sweet as any I have ever picked. The farm has several rows of blueberry plants under a bird net to keep the robins and other birds from eating all the ripe berries. The netting is high enough that you can walk underneath it without needing to crouch down. A very enjoyable pick your own blueberry experience. Visit UPickFarmLocator.com to find a u-pick farm near you.
Picking blueberries is a great way to spend an afternoon with your family. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes and have adequate sun protection. Plan ahead and take along a cooler to transport your berries home. I always pick enough for enjoying now and freezing some for the middle of winter. Blueberries offer many nutritional benefits with only 80 calories per cup and virtually no fat and low in sodium. Blueberries contain 4 essential nutrients: Fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K and Manganese. Learn more about the power of this little blue fruit at the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council.
Here is a little more about the farm. The Porter’s Patch Farm has a rich history. In 2013 the farm was recognized as a Century Farm in the state of Wisconsin with its beginning dating all the way back to 1876. Today it is an active working family farm with 95 tillable acres and 85 acres of wetlands and woods. Strawberries were first planted commercially in 1986 and they have since added raspberries, blueberries, asparagus, peas, pumpkins, sweet corn and other vegetables. In the fall they host an annual Farmtoberfest Celebration which runs every weekend from mid-September through October. Start your own family traditions Porter’s Patch where you can share the experience of being on a small family farm.