TOWN OF NAVARINO, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The season for picking blueberries is underway in parts of Northeast Wisconsin.
It’s a morning ritual for the crew at Porter’s Patch in the Town of Navarino.
“Every day we get out here at 6:30, and we pick blueberries for the customers,” said Michaela Schnell, Porter’s Patch Employee.
Schnell says there’s a trick to the trade.
“Some are blue on the top, but then you twist them over and they’re kind of green or purple. You want to make sure they’re blue all the way around. Those are the best ones,” she said.
“We had a warm spring. That just brings everything along a little faster,” said Troy Porter, Porter’s Patch Owner.
Porter says the berries are about a week ahead of schedule.
“I know we lost some with the early frost, and freezes we had early on, but real good crop came in, so we should be able to harvest most of these off of here,” he said.
Porter says in addition to blueberries, other seasonal fruits and vegetables are starting to appear, including tomatoes, two types of cucumbers, and even purple colored beans.
“Everyone likes something fresh. Whether it’s from the garden, or a farmer’s market, or just from your local farmer, and for a lot of people the big push these days is knowing where your food’s grown, and how it’s grown,” he said.
Back to the patch, Porter says depending on supply, people will be able to pick their own blueberries on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Michaela Schnell says many people like to eat the fruit fresh.
“They always say they’re going to pop them open in the car as they drive home. So I think that’s the favorite,” she said.
Porter’s Patch anticipates the season to end a little early this year.
The berries could be gone in a few weeks.
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