First Blueberries of the Year
Blueberries aren’t usually ready until the middle of July but the early arrival of spring means this year’s batch is already here!
Blueberries on Canada Day
It’s July 1, which is a big day up here in the Great White North because that means it is also Canada Day!
Most people at the lake are celebrating the country’s 148th birthday and this year is also the 50th anniversary of the Canadian flag. Fireworks, festivals, and family fun are all on the schedule.
I managed to get up early this morning and decided take a little walk around the property with my coffee. This is a common ritual in the fall when the bugs are all gone, but an unexplained urge to wander the woods on this fine Canada Day was enough to motivate my mosquito-infested foray.
At the back of the property we have an open area of exposed shield rock that bathes in sunshine, and on the fringe of this pleasant little piece of paradise, one can find a patch of blueberry plants.
Normally, the little blue wonders appear in the middle of July, but to my surprise several of the plants are already sporting big, juicy berries.
I couldn’t resist the temptation to pop a few in my mouth and even enjoyed a bit of wild blueberries with my oatmeal after I lumbered back to the cabin.
It’s a great day to celebrate this wonderful country, and its beloved wild blueberries.
How to Pick Blueberries
Harvesting wild blueberries is a tradition maintained by many Canadian cottagers and top foraging locations are tightly guarded secrets.
Check out our blueberry picking tips page to get all the information you need to plan a safe and efficient blueberry-picking excursion. The article covers tips on how to find blueberries as well as strategies to minimize bug bites, avoid bears, and increase your harvest in as little time as possible.
