FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Waitlist…the sign up was full for when I want to come pick blueberries…so I signed up for the waitlist…now what? Am I guaranteed a time slot for that day/time?
No – the waitlist is not a guarantee. We are trying out the waitlist for 2025 and it has to be managed manually. It was supposed to allow only two people to be waitlisted for a time slot although we are seeing many more names. If you see two or more already on a waitlist or a day and time…it is pretty unlikely that a spot will open up.
How we are using the waitlist feature. If we get a cancellation and/or we decide we can add more time slots we plan to send you a text message (several people mention not checking email) and ask if you want that time slot. If you say yes…we will then move you to that open timeslot. You will then need to go in and edit your sign up and pay the booking fee.
When do you open up appointments for blueberry picking each summer?
Typically by the end of the first week of June. This is always a hard decision as to when to determine our opening day very far in advance. If you drive past you might see us doing some picking before opening day but know that we cannot open until we have enough rows ripe for the pickers.
How does your berry-picking season work, and what should I know about booking an appointment?
Our typical season is from around June 24th to July 24th. 2024 was not typical, but 2025 is looking to be a typical season. Based on blooms, berries will be plentiful! We pick by appointment only so everyone has a good experience. We assign rows and always have, why let you wonder around when we know right where they need picked. Appointments were a necessity brought on by COVID and they stuck. We love staggering arrivals so we can give a more personal experience. We ask that only one person in your party/group needs to make an appointment if you are wanting to pick together. We prefer groups of 8 or less. When you make your appointment it will ask how many are in your group/party.
Why do you have a booking fee?
We noticed a few years ago that several people were booking multiple appointments to give themselves options, and possibly did not intend to show up for all of their appointments. The berries need picked and that puts us in a bind. One Friday we had 13 no show’s when people had been trying to get in an appointment for weeks, including some of our own extended family. That prompted the booking fee.
Do you charge admission too?
Yes, we charge each picker $1 admission. You pay that when you check out. Babies in carriers or strollers not picking are not charged admission. Toddlers might be charged double based on what they eat instead of putting in the bucket. Just kidding!
Is there a trick to getting an appointment? They fill up fast!
Keep checking back. People are anxious and as soon as we announce on social media that appointments are live…the first two weeks goes quick. Especially the early time slots. People are encouraged to cancel before 7 p.m. the night before for a refund, so after 7 p.m. is a great time to check if you are trying to get a last-minute appointment the next day. We are also working on a wait list—if we can figure out how to keep it low-maintenance.
I’m not seeing any available appointments—could the system be down or is everything booked?
Please check back. If you do not see any available time slots, we must be full for that day. I wish we could accommodate everyone, but our field is only so big. If you are looking for a last minute appointment, check after 7 p.m. the night before to see if there are any cancellations.
Do you take appointments for picking strawberries too?
Sorry, no…we only sell strawberries that we pick. Our strawberry tunnels are not inside the blueberry field and the aisles are too small to accommodate many people or strollers or wagons. Strawberry picking is a mostly on hands and knees activity, so for those reasons we have chosen to pick them for you.
When are your strawberries ready?
In 2025 we are planting a new to us variety that is supposed to ripen earlier and be more plentiful early. We hope that it means lots of overlap with blueberry season. We will give blueberry pickers priority for purchasing strawberries and most likely will allow people just to stop and purchase or purchase online. We are still working out the details for this season and will announce on social media as we get closer.
Are we allowed to come to the farm any day or time, or only during specific hours?
If it is not a u pick day/time which is Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings…or farmstand hours after blueberry season…then no. We have lots of work to do when we are not open to the public and appreciate people not just popping in at random days/times. We have had people just sit at our gate and text message us…sorry we cannot accommodate those requests. Our hours are 8:30 – 12 noon on picking days. We do not like being in the field in the heat of the day and assume all of you would not either.
How much do your berries cost?
2025 prices:
- “U Pick” blueberries $6 per quart, $24 per gallon and $30 per bucket (5 quarts)
- “We Pick” blueberries are $12 per quart and $6 per pint
- “We Pick” strawberries are $5 per pint, $10 per quart, and $20 for 2 quart.
How does the "U-pick" work?
When you arrive, you check in at the blueberry shed. We ask everyone to wash their hands first at the handwash station. We provide picking buckets, but if you have a bucket that is clearly marked with a quantity, you can pick in your own buckets. We assign rows for picking based on what is ripe and needs picked that morning. We do our best to accommodate variety requests but this depends on if it is ripe.
Do you ever ask anyone to leave?
We take pride in the appearance of our farm and the quality of our fruit. If we see someone throwing fruit, purposefully harming plants or structures on the farm, we do reserve the right to ask you to leave and not return. In 7 seasons this has happened once.
We do like to close at noon or shortly after so we have asked customers to finish picking and check out. I know it can be hard when you see a lot of fruit left to be picked, but we have to have boundaries with hours or we would live in the field during season.
What should I bring and wear to my picking appointment?
A container to take your berries home. If you live over 20 minutes and depending on the temperature and if you are headed straight home, bring a cooler and some ice packs to take your fruit home. We do have food grade biodegradable bags if you forget.
We suggest you wear a hat, comfortable shoes and sunscreen. Bug spray is always a good idea as we do have bugs!
Come with a positive attitude and be prepared to pick what we think are the best organic blueberries around!
Can I bring my dog?
Sorry, for food safety, no dogs are allowed in the field.
What if it rains?
Making a decision to delay picking or even cancel is such a tough one. We will stay open for sprinkles, but not for thunder and lightning. We will post an announcement on social media first and then when we get to the house we will send emails/texts to everyone with appointments. We do our best to get you rescheduled if we cancel. We will not make the decision until the morning of picking…after consulting the radar numerous times.
Do you grow or sell (...)?
We grow blueberries and strawberries, pumpkins, paw paw, persimmon, chestnut and hazelnuts. At our farmstand during blueberry season we bring in eggs, honey and ice cream from neighbors and local business. At our farmstand after blueberry season we continue selling our strawberries and orchard crops, eggs and honey as well as produce from other local growers, veggies, mums, sweet corn, watermelon, and more.
Do I need an appointment for each person?
No, you make one appointment/reserve one time slot per group/party of 1 – 8 people. If you have a larger group, please contact us at 319-423-9954. You can leave a voicemail or send a text message. Let us know when you want to bring your group and how many people/cars and we will get back to you.
How do I cancel or swap my appointment if I need to make a change?
Simply reply to your confirmation email and state that you need to cancel. To receive a refund, you must cancel your appointment before 7 p.m. the night before your appointment. Please allow a few days for the refund to process.
Your booking fee will not be refunded if you no-show or if you email to cancel your appointment later than 7 p.m. the night before. Please understand, regardless of the reason (including illness), we cannot cancel and refund appointments on the morning of the picking appointment because there is no time for anyone else to book that timeslot.
If you booked through SignUpGenius –
1. Log into SignUpGenius.com and click on the Invited To tab. You will see Items I’ve Signed Up For. To remove your name, click the X to the right of the item. To edit other information related to your sign up, click the pencil icon to the right of the item. If you are selecting a different date and time, you will need to delete your name from the date/time selected initially and then sign up for a new date/time/item.
2. If you signed up without an account (using name and email address only), you can access the sign up by following the link provided in the email invite or confirmation/reminder emails –
When you view the sign up, you will see text that reads, Change your Sign Up. Click that option and follow the instructions.
3. If you still cannot locate the sign up, it’s possible a different email address was used when signing up, or it’s possible a typo was included in the email address when signing up. In that case, you may need to contact the sign up creator or the customer support team at SignUpGenius –
To initiate a swap, a user must have an account with SignUpGenius. This simply means that if a user would like to swap with another user, they register at SignUpGenius with the same email they used to sign up. They can then initiate the swap from their account. Any other users with emails in the system (regardless of whether or not they have created an account) will be available to consider swapping with the person who makes the request.
Once another user accepts a swap request, the change is made automatically and if anyone else tries to respond to the request, they will see that a swap has already been updated.
What if I am late?
If something happens the morning of your picking appointment and you are going to be late, please text us or leave a voicemail at 319-423-9954. We check this throughout the morning on picking days. If no message and you are over 30 minutes late, we reserve the right to re-assign your row.
Why do you operate by appointment and assign rows?
We have assigned rows since day one and utilized an appointment system since Covid. We want everyone to be happy with what they pick and pick what is ripe…so we lead you right to the best berries! Appointments have helped us to stagger arrivals, control the parking, promote less standing in line, more personal interactions with our staff and overall a better experience for everyone!
What if we have a large group?
If you have a group of more than 10 that wants to pick together you should go ahead and sign up for a time slot. Then message us via text or voicemail at 319-423-9954. Let us know when (date and time) you signed up, size of your group, how many people, and how many cars?
We will get back to you to let you know if we can accommodate your group or not.