It’s summer here, although as I write this, it is difficult to tell. The temperature today has been closer to spring or fall temperatures, but as they say up here—if you don’t like the weather, just wait ten minutes and it will change. Hope springs eternal.

We are in the midst of blueberry season here in Maine.  Maine boasts the title of being the world’s largest producer of wild, lowbush blueberries. Wild blueberries aren’t planted like the highbush varieties and they spread by way of underground runners which make more blueberry bushes. The blueberry “barrens’ throughout Washington county are a site to behold. The barrens were glacially formed and are huge rolling plains of sandy soil, the perfect medium for raising blueberries. It is by no means the only place in Maine where you can find wild blueberry barrens but it is where you will find the largest fields and they go on for miles and miles. Needless to say, blueberries are a major industry in Washington county where nearly a quarter million acres of barrens yield millions of pounds of blueberries annually.

I have traveled through the barrens both in my vehicle and on an ATV. Watching the fields change with the season is a sight to behold. 

During the month of May, growers import millions of commercial bees to aid the native bee population in pollinating the barrens and fields (NOT a good time to go ATVing through the barrens). By June white blossoms cover the plants. As the berries mature, they turn green to blue and then the bushes turn a beautiful reddish color as the cool, crisp days of fall arrive.

The berries are harvested both by machine and by people. Migrant workers are seen working along with the locals to get the berries picked and ready for harvest. They pretty much work from dawn to dusk because the berries must be harvested before the first frost.  These low bush berries are hand raked and then put through a winnowing machine to remove the leaves and twigs before they are washed and processed.

If you are in the area and would like to witness the harvest, the largest stretches of barrens are off Route 1 in Cherryfield, Delois, Columbia Falls, Epping, Centerville and Jonesboro. Wesley and Crawford on Route 9 also have large barrens.

If you are in the area during the third weekend in August, be sure to check out the Machias Blueberry Festival. It features over 200 craft booths, races,  entertainment, eating & baking contests, and lots of food. It is a great festival and definitely worth attending.

One more thing! While in Machias, do not leave without having a meal at Helen’s Restaurant. They are known for their outstanding pies but they also have wonderful seafood.

Well, that’s it for now.  Enjoy the Maine blueberry season!