FAYETTE — This summer’s hot weather is making blueberry picking at Steep Hill Farm fantastic — but the season may end sooner than normal.

Owners George and Brenda Joseph planted their first blueberry bushes in 1984. They now have 15 rows of high-bush plants — about 3 acres — on the farm. The Josephs irrigate, so the berries are fine even though the parking area and driveway are dusty. 

“The heat has made the berries ripen all at the same time,” Brenda said. “It’s great picking, but it will come and go really fast this year.”

The berries on each bush usually ripen over several weeks with only a few from each cluster ready to pick. This year, most of the berries in a cluster are ripe. 

“We have pumped a lot of water this year,” George said. 

Brenda said many tourists come to pick blueberries at the farm at 26 Clyde Wells Road. Often, grandparents will pick for their families.

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“We get a lot of repeat customers,” she said.

Ellin Parker of Readfield said she comes every year. She moved to the area three years ago and her sister-in-law told her about the farm.

A large group of pickers from Raleigh, North Carolina, were seen picking Tuesday.

A family from Connecticut said they would return again before heading home at the end of the week.

The field is usually open daily, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. It may close because of weather conditions or other factors.

To ensure that the field is open, the Josephs suggest calling 207-685-4155 or visiting their website at www.maineblueberryfarm.com.

pharnden@sunmediagroup.net


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