LEXINGTON — The Blueberry Patch’s annual blueberry-picking season is underway.
The local blueberry farm, at 1285 W. Hanley Road, opened its fields to pickers early last week, but now the second, more abundant crop is blooming.
“The first was slimmer, but second variety is just coming on,” said owner, Lisa Beilstine. “We just work along with mother nature.”
The Blueberry Patch has 27 acres with about a 1,000 bushes per acre. There are 17 different types of blueberries. The first ones to ripen this year were the Bluetta berries.
The patch is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Buckets are provided and can be purchased along with the berries.
Beilstine says that the bushes are very “picker-friendly” for adults and children alike.
“There’s some down low and some up high,” she said. “People who may have back or joint issues, they don’t have to bend, if they don’t want to.”
Plus, the bushes don’t have thorns.
Linda Day and three of her grandsons were at the patch on Tuesday, June 27.
“I like being outside and doing the work instead of just eating them,” said Trenton Day, 10.
His cousin, Lincoln Day, 11, then chimed in.
“I like bringing them home and eating them.”
Lincoln’s brother, Jude, the youngest at age 9, said though he enjoys blueberry picking, he’d rather see a movie. The other two disagreed. Blueberry picking is something they look forward to every year.
Couple, Dave and Pat Yontz of Canton were also at the patch Tuesday. They found the location a few years ago and have came back every year since then. Pat bakes fresh pies and makes jam with the berries.
Pre-picked berries can also be purchased. Owner, Beilstine encourages people to call in advance and place an order.
For more information visit theblueberrypatch.org.
