Sweet, Sweet Blueberries of Ashe County

Those perfect spheres of tender blue sweetness, food for bears and birds, squirrels, and even me if I'm quick enough, ripen in July and disappear by mid August. These are among my favorite delicacies.

Blueberry time in the high country is fleeting and rushed, travelers coming and going, summertime. From our own back yard to large blueberry farms, we rush to gather while the berries are ripening and ready.

We always start with the ones here, but they are never enough. Ashe County has several commercial venues that allow you to come and pick by the 5 gallon bucket.

Joe Vannoy owns a berry field off Highway 16 near Healing Springs, not far from the North Fork of the New River.

Easy work and not too hot in Ashe County to get out and pick your own by the bucket. They pour the berries out for you into a cardboard flat.

Mable and Keith Vannoy working at the farm

Walter Clark and Johnny Burleson owners of Old Orchard Creek continue traditions at the old Swansea Shepherd farm its acres of blueberries and other fruits. 

Old Orchard Creek Blueberry field

Old Orchard Creek open-aire venue

At Old Orchard Creek, they have added a venue for large events and celebrate with a Blueberry Festival in late July. 

Rows and rows of blueberry bushes at Old Orchard Creek (Come and Pick)

Now the picking is over, on to eating and preserving the rest...blueberry pie, blueberries on ice cream, blueberries on cereal, over yogurt...blueberry jam, frozen blueberries to pull out all winter long. Yum. Here's a favorite recipe from Epicurious.com:  Blueberry-Drop-Biscuit-Cobbler. Try it, you'll like it.