Blueberry blast

Blueberry Bunch Farm has five varieties of blueberries at its location near LaBelle. BLUEBERRY BUNCH FARMS / COURTESY PHOTO

Blueberry Bunch Farms is ready for a “berry” fun picking season. The farm is filled with blueberries, ripe and ready to pick.

“We are so excited for another blueberry season of picking. We added an extra hour this year for everyone,” said Kristian Velasco.

The U-Pick Blueberry Bunch Farm is Florida’s southernmost blueberry farm. It’s located in LaBelle, which is about 30 miles east of Fort Myers. The farm sits on 35 acres and has more than 50,000 bushes.

“We have five different varieties of blueberries here, all with different flavors from sweet to more tart. Winter Bell is on the sour side and a lot of them are Arcadia blueberries,” said Velasco. “Each kind blooms differently based on the weather, so our season grows and expands throughout the months.”

The five variations of blueberries for picking include: Winter Bell, Arcadia, Chikadee, Avanti and Kestrel.

With rows of blueberry bushes, pickers can sample as they pluck. Velasco joked, “we don’t regulate or care if people eat as they go through our farm! It’s great for families, to come out and enjoy the nature and the bushes are low so kids can also have fun and get involved in the picking.”

Berries are handpicked at family-owned Blueberry Bunch Farm.

Parking and admission are free with both buckets and bags provided by Blueberry Bunch Farm. The fresh blueberries cost $7 per pound. Blueberry Bunch Farm accepts both cash and card.

“Just pack your sunscreen and come on out,” said Velasco. “You can pick a lot within a half hour to an hour. Sometimes we have about 120 pickers in day. It is best to pick blueberries when they are still purple in color. They will continue to ripen within a few days and can freeze them. If you grab green ones, they won’t get to full term and stay in the hard premature phase.”

While at the blueberry patch, other items are available for purchase. Blueberry Bunch Farm sells custom T-shirts, tote bags, straw hats, homemade jams, pottery and wooden coasters sets.

Blueberry Bunch Farm has local beehives to pollinate their bushes. They also sell the honey.

“My wife makes blueberry popsicles. They’re really good, especially when it is hot out. Plus, blueberries are healthy,” said Velasco. “My wife’s mother makes the pottery, and everything is blueberry themed. We are family owned and operated. Everyone that works here has been here for years.”

Blueberry Bunch Farms also proudly supports local businesses, selling blueberry Kombucha from Flying Eagle SWFL. Blueberry Bunch Farm packages and sells commercially and to neighboring spots. Its blueberries can be found at Southern Fresh Farms and Rooster’s on State Road 80. Coastal Dayz Brewery and Crazy Dingo Brewing Company even created blueberry ales to sip.

“Mikkelsen Pastry Shop in Naples used our blueberries to make some great desserts,” said Velasco. “We always support everyone. If someone is looking for another U-Pick spot with other fruits we don’t have, I will recommend other farms or places to stop by to eat lunch afterwards.”

Blueberry Bunch Farm has been open for 19 years and has planted 50,000 bushes.

Every berry is hand-picked and then packaged and shipped out the same day. Blueberry Bunch Farm supplies vendors throughout the state.

Sharing the farm are bees, producing honey that can be purchased for $7.

“Don’t worry. They mind their own business and stay by their hives. We have experts come out and maintain them,” said Velasco.

The owners had to replant more than 1,600 new bushes due to damage caused by Hurricane Ian. Velasco said each bush is trimmed at the end of the season and re-grows but takes roughly eight years for a new pant to begin producing.

“We lost our macadamia trees, so we don’t have nuts this year. The orange tree groves behind us on the neighboring property also got damaged. They are still recovering,” said Velasco.

Blueberry Bunch Farms also invites schools and clubs to stop by and get a hands-on experience with blueberries and learn about the super fruit. Blueberry Bunch Farms suggests visiting during spring break.

The farm’s blueberry mascot, BB. BLUEBERRY BUNCH FARMS / COURTESY PHOTOS

“Grab a photo with our mascot blueberry, BB, before you go and make sure to buy your own blueberry plant. They are $30 each, and we only sell the strong and sustainable plants to make sure they last,” said Velasco.

Valasco said blueberry picking provides more than a healthy snack. “It’s a beautiful drive out here.” ¦

In the KNOW

Blueberry Bunch U-Pick Farm open for blueberry season ·

·Where: Blueberry Bunch Farm; 2754 Howard Road, LaBelle

· When: March to May

· Times: Thursday-Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

· Price: $7 per pound, accepting cash or card; parking and admission are free

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