It’s now prime season for blueberry picking at Scott’s Connecticut Valley Orchards in Deep River. Farmer Winston Scott explained that the wet spring season this year has led to some very plump berries.

“It’s a good crop,” said Scott

Scott likes his blueberries best when they are used to make baked goods, like fresh blueberry buckle cake, one of his favorites.

Scott’s preference appears to be shared by some of his customers.

“We had nothing else to do so we decided to come here and get some fresh blueberries,” said Allegra Scaedler of Essex, who was out at the orchard recently gathering the berries to be used as decoration on her chocolate coffee cake. “These berries are far better than the ones in the grocery store.”

Scott said that his favorite thing about blueberries is not their taste, but instead picking them.

“It’s labor-intensive, but I like it. It’s quiet back there and peaceful,” he said. “I just enjoy it.”

He tries to nudge customers to explore beyond the first few plants in the row and get to the back bushes where he said the ripest berries are waiting.

Wild blueberries are native to Connecticut, though Scott notes that now the majority of blueberries grown here are cultivated high bush blueberries, not wild varieties.

“There aren’t too many wild blueberry bushes left, but the ones that are around grow good berries to bake with. Because they are so small, they don’t break apart,” said Scott.

Fresh blueberries don’t travel well, however, they do last for approximately one week chilled in the refrigerator in a loose, ventilated container.

Scott recommends freezing the berries on a cookie sheet first, then putting them in a bag and back in the freezer, so they don’t clump up. Blueberries can last up to two years in the freezer and its easier to bake with frozen blueberries, because they don’t get destroyed when mixing up batter.

Scotts Orchard is currently open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There are several rows of blueberry bushes on over two acres to choose from, the price is $4.29 a pound for under five pounds picked, or $3.79 for five pounds and over.