Blueberries are Ripe and Ready for Picking

Just as strawberry season in Florida wanes, blueberry growers are preparing for their big season.

If you're seeking a family-friendly activity, consider dropping by a u-pick blueberry farm.

Matt and Laurie Moody of Moody Blues Farm at 404 Cloverleaf Dr., Lithia, have begun their fourth harvest season of organic blueberries on their 7-acre farm.

The Moodys grow six varieties of berries including Winsor, Emerald, Abundance and Jewel.

The farm is open April 21, 27 and 28 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. There, blueberry lovers can select their own organic berries for $8 a pound or, those who prefer to do the eating rather than the picking can purchase berries for $9 a pound.

The Moodys furnish the buckets and take-home bags. You furnish the labor.

For more details, visit the Moody Blues Farm website.

Or head over to Stafford Blueberries, a pick-your-own blueberry farm at 3111 John Moore Rd., Brandon, just north of Bloomingdale Avenue.

The farm features two acres of blueberries grown in above-ground pots for easy picking. Owners Joy and Doug Stafford grow five varieties of blueberries: Princess, Sapphires, Jewels, Emeralds, and Prima Donnas.

Like Moody Blues Farm, the Staffords provide the buckets and take-home bags.

The price is $6 a pound, cash only, and the blueberries will be available through mid-May.

In addition to fresh blueberries, the Staffords sell blueberry jam and fresh local honey along with bottled water for thirsty pickers.

Hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m.

For more details, visit the Staffords' website.

Wondering what to do with those berries after you pick them? Here are some ideas from the Moodys and the Staffords:

Billy Doug's Best Blueberry Buckle

Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter or margarine

1 cup flour

3/4 cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

3/4 cup milk

4 to 4 1/2 cups blueberries

1/2 cup sugar

Directions:

1. Melt margarine or butter in a 1 1/2 -quart Pyrex dish or Corning Ware skillet. Sift together flour, sugar and baking powder. Slowly add milk until the mixture is the consistency of waffle batter. Drizzle batter over the melted butter. DO NOT stir it into the butter.

2. Dredge the blueberries in 1/2 cup of sugar. Arrange berries over the batter and spoon any remaining dredging sugar over the berries.

3. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes. The buckle is done when the batter is beginning to brown.

4. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.

Laurie Moody's Blueberry Cobbler

1 stick of butter

cup of milk

cup of flour

tsp. vanilla

cup of sugar

2 1/2 to 3 cups blueberries

Melt butter in the bottom of a baking pan. Mix the milk, flour, vanilla and sugar with the melted butter and spread on the bottom of the pan. Top with the blueberries. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes until golden brown. Top with vanilla ice cream.