2nd Day of 2013 Picking Season

Yesterday's tally: 2185 lbs recorded, 2nd best ever for an opener.
Today?: 165 lbs, worst ever for a 2nd day; usually 2nd days are in the 500-800 lb range.  Please wait until Saturday, August 24th. This week's heat is bound to improve the ripening.  I will provide updates during the week, but the observations are very qualitative.  Blueberries are not like strawberries, where a day or two can be a drastic change.  Blueberries ripen more gradually and are difficult to notice changes when one surveys the field every day.  The best gauge is the rate of picking reported by pickers. 

Since we are a long drive for everyone outside of Chassell, Klingville, Arnheim, we won't turn those away who don't get the reports and choose to come, but I don't think there is any advantage in trying to "beat the crowd" by coming during the work week.  Ripening takes an unpredictable amount of time.  Many of today's pickers had not seen the reports. 

The abundance of the crop on the bushes still is evident and incredible.  The late ripening means that there will be some great late-season picking for those who choose to (and can) wait.