Pick Your Own Blueberries in Monroe County
Monday, June 2nd, 2014 | Uncategorized | No Comments
Plump, juicy blueberries are ripening and will soon be available at Short Bark Berries in Madisonville. Starting at the end of June or the first of July, local farmer Linda Beatty will be surrounded with bush after bush of mouth-watering blueberries, Monroe County’s best kept-secret!
If you and a neighbor are so inclined, grab a bucket and come pick blueberries until your heart’s content. Can’t find the time to do the picking? Linda reserves certain select bushes for those gigantic berries which she’ll personally pick from and make available per your request at an additional charge.
Once you drive up the gravel lane to the farm, you will be greeted by welcoming dogs and row upon row of beautifully maintained blueberry bushes. Striving to maintain a clean, safe, family-friendly environment, one can walk easily between the long rows, bucket in hand, greeting friendly harvesters like yourself. There is no need to hurry, because there are more than enough berries to go around. The plants are kept pruned to eye level so there is little need to reach or stretch for the fruit.
Since each growing season is different, it’s best to call ahead to verify picking times, conditions, and berry availability. Linda can be reached at (865) 414-1501 or (423) 442-9078. She works full-time in the nursing field, so if she doesn’t answer, her machine will provide picking times. She is planning to be open every other weekend and two to three days during the week.
A gallon of “you pick” blueberries at Short Bark Berries runs $8. If you pick enough blueberries to freeze, the purchase price is excellent. Here’s a tip for freezing: place fresh picked berries in a single layer on a cookie sheet, put into freezer, and the next morning, remove from cookie sheet and pop them into a freezer container. They’ll keep better this way. Young children enjoy them directly from the freezer as well.
The farm is located at 345 Short Bark Road in Madisonville, just behind the Hiwassee Church of God. Turn at the sign, and proceed down a gravel lane. See you early summer at Short Bark!
Short Bark Berries
345 Short Bark Road in Madisonville
(865) 414-1501
(423) 442-9078
