Pick berries that are firm, plump and smooth skinned. Color should be the primary indicator of ripeness, not size -- berries should be deep purple blue to blue-black with a white powdery haze; reddish berries are not ripe but may be used in cooking.

Fresh berries should be stored in the refrigerator and washed just before using.

If freezing, put UNWASHED, completely dry berries into the freezer (do not wash off the whitish haze). Completely cover the blueberry containers with plastic wrap, store in an airtight, reseal-able plastic bag or arrange dry berries in a single layer on a cookie sheet. When frozen, transfer frozen berries to plastic bags or freezer container.

                    
Mosquitos and horse flies are bad this year so be sure to bring a hat if you have one and put on the bug spray!