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BLUEBERRIES
Blueberry Production
April Buds: We usually start to see these blueberry buds swell around mid April. Believe it or not each of these tiny buds is going to burst into 5-10 flowers each. That's a lot of blueberries!
May Flowers: May showers bring us blueberry flower clusters! Every year around the middle of may we start to see our blueberry buds flower a brilliant fuscia colour.
May Bloom: Shortly after they start to form clusters these blossoms will go into full bloom. In a matter of days we see them transform from pink to white.
Pollination: Shout out to our pollinator friends.. berry season wouldn't be possible without them! The bell-like shape of blueberry blossoms and the heavy pollen, doesn't allow for self-pollination. We rent bee hives every year to help cross pollinate.
June Fruit Set: They may look like blueberries..but they sure don't taste like them. Blueberries typically take between 6 weeks and 2 months to ripen after flowering.
July Blueberry Harvest: Typically blueberry harvest begins July 5th - July 10th and it's a 8-10 week season. Our long season is made possible by 8 varieties with different maturity dates.
Nutrition
Blueberries are low in sodium, low in calories and contain no cholesterol, making them the perfect guilt-free snack. Health studies have also proven the power of blueberries to improve memory, lower blood pressure, and reduce the risk of a heart attack. In fact, the pectin found in blueberries actually has the ability to reduce blood cholesterol.
In addition to this, their dark blue skin is pigmented by anthocyanin making them an abundant source of cancer-fighting antioxidants.
Incorporating fresh blueberries into your diet is a great way to get a daily dose of essential vitamins and nutrients, such as Vitamin A, C, K and E!
What to do with your blueberries?
Fresh, frozen, or baked — blueberries are endlessly versatile:
- Bake into muffins, pies, crisps, or pancakes
- Blend into smoothies or quick chia jam
- Top your yogurt, oats, or salads for a sweet boost
- Freeze for year-round use — no prep needed
- Preserve the season with homemade jam or syrup
RASPBERRIES
Raspberry Production
Each year we follow a pattern of cultivation, beginning with pruning, trellising and ending with harvest.
We have two production styles including field production where raspberry plants are grown in the field. We have summer bearing and everbearing raspberries.
Did you know?
Everbearing raspberries produce two crops: one is harvested in July and the second harvest is in September until frost.
A more recent addition to the farm is the high tech growing system where we plant raspberry canes into pots. The plants are placed under a high tunnel with regular delivery of water and nutrients numerous times a day. This highly intensive production system has numerous benefits including:
- Large raspberries
- High yield
- Easy picking because it's a wall of raspberries
- Reduced disease
- Elimates harvest gap - we can time the raspberry planting and harvest
Nutrition
Raspberries contain a variety of essential minerals, vitamins, fatty acids, and dietary fibre found in both the skin and seeds. Their unique phytochemical profile (rich in ellagitannins and anthocyanins) set raspberries apart from other rich coloured fruit given their potential to protect against disease.
Studies have shown added benefit in eating fresh, whole raspberries as opposed to phytochemical extracts due to synergistic relationships. Either way we know this sweet treat is completely guilt free, and a perfect snack!
What to do with your raspberries?
Sweet, tangy, and ready for anything — raspberries shine in every form:
- Snack fresh or mix into parfaits and salads
- Bake into tarts, bars, or crumbles
- Blend into smoothies, sauces, or vinaigrettes
- Freeze gently for baking or snacking later
- Preserve as jam, jelly, or freezer spread
ELDERBERRIES
Elderberry Production
Late May: Elderberries will grow best in moist and loamy soil. If you look closesly you can start to see some buds form.
Early June: By June, these tiny buds have grown tall and sturdy. The little green flower buds have turned into a cluster of white balls that will soon bloom into flowers.
Pollination: Unlike blueberries - Elderberries are mainly pollinated by wind! A Berrylicious, we grow 4 different elderberry varieties. Kent, Essex, Scotia & Victoria.
Late June-July: The balls seem to burst into hundreds of tiny flowers just about as quickly as they appeared.
After pollination, each tiny flower turns into a tiny purple elderberry!
Late July - Early August: Once we see the green berries forming...
The berries are almost ready... and the birds know it too! That’s why we use a “bird cannon” in the late summer months to scare them off.
Nutrition
Elderberries are an excellent source of vitamins A, C and B6. In addition to being very rich in calcium and iron, their dark purple skin is pigmented by anthocyanin making them an abundant source of antioxidants. In fact they’re considered to have one of the highest total antioxidant contents of all small fruits.
Despite rarely being commercially grown and sold in Ontario, elderberries are quickly becoming a well known super-food in the fruit world. It may be time to think about stocking up on some elderberry syrup. A daily dose will provide an immune system boost, plenty of vitamins and minerals, and of course antioxidants!
What to do with Elderberries?
Tiny but mighty, elderberries are best enjoyed cooked or preserved:
- Simmer into syrup for immune support or cocktails/mocktails
- Make homemade jelly, or jam
- Blend into teas, or baked goods
- Freeze raw or cooked for future use
- Preserve with canning or drying for winter wellness
Note: Elderberries must be cooked before eating — raw berries can be toxic!
APPLES
Apple Production
There is 10 stages of apple fruit buds:
- Stage 1: Dormant
- Stage 2: Silver Tip
- Stage 3: Green Tip
- Stage 4: Half inch Green
- Stage 5; Tight Cluster
- Stage 6: Late Pink
- Stage 7: Late Bloom
- Stage 8: Bloom
- Stage 9: Petal Fall
- Stage 10: Fruit Set
This is our first year of apple harvest with 9 varieties - Click below for harvest dates for your favourite apple variety.
Nutrition
An apple a day keeps the doctor away!
Did you know?
One serving of fruit = one medium sized apple
If you want to know more health benefits - click the link below!
What to do with apples?
Crisp, juicy, and farm-fresh — apples are the ultimate fall MVP:
- Snack fresh or dip in peanut butter/caramel
- Bake into pies, crisps, and fritters
- Simmer into applesauce, butter, or cider
- Preserve by canning, freezing, or dehydrating
- Press for fresh juice or hard cider
PUMPKINS & GOURDS
Pumpkin & Gourd Production
Our pumpkin, gourds and squash production serve a dual purpose - they have both an ornamental value and nutritional value.
The best pumpkins for decorating are:
- Jack-O-Laterns are the classic carving pumpkins - they are either round or upright. Finding with a strong stem helps to keep the pumpkin fresher longer.
- Gourds and Mini Pumpkins - make a great tabletop display or can be added to a porch display in rustic basket.
- Stacking Pumpkins - they come in bright whites and bright orange colour - they make for great stacking displays.
- New and trending:
- Pumpkins - have grey tones, and spidery patterns
Nutrition
The best pumpkins for cooking:
- Small Orange Pie Pumpkin - Can find a small pie pumpkin? Try a small field pumpkin. Follow our pumpkin pie recipe - you'll be pleasantly surprised by the flavour.
- We have 3 different kinds of squash: butternut, acorn, and hubbard squash.
Health Benefits of Pumpkins:
- Sources of vitamin A & C
- One 4 oz portion cooked and mashed contains 38 calories
- The seeds are rich in protein and a good source of iron
What to do with pumpkins & gourds?
More than just decor — pumpkins can be both pretty and tasty:
- Roast the flesh for soups, pies, and baking
- Toast the seeds for a crunchy, healthy snack
- Puree into muffins, pancakes, or smoothies or soup
- Decorate porches and tables with unique gourds
- Compost or save seeds for planting next season
Pro tip: Sugar or pie pumpkins are best for cooking — save the big guys for carving!