Red, White, and Blueberries

Ten years ago Kay and Steve Smith assessed their land in Watkinsville and decided to fill the acreage with something productive.  Their selection: blueberry bushes.

"I've always enjoyed gardening and doing things outside," Kay Smith said.

Blueberries reportedly offer a number of health benefits since they are packed with vitamin C and antioxidants, another reason why the Smiths chose to grow the fruit.

Smith said they only treat the berries with a minimal amount of Neem Tree Oil mixed with water --a substance that functions as a natural pesticide.

You'll find four different varieties of blueberries at the farm: Austin, Brightwell, Premiere, and Climax.  While there may be a variance in size, it's difficult to note a difference in their sweet taste, Smith said, adding that all four are good producers.

Whippoorwill Blueberries is usually open for about 6 weeks during the season, and Smith expects another four weeks of berries, ripe for the picking.

There are two ways to purchase berries at the farm located at 1571 Whippoorwill Road.  The U-Pick option is available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day except for Monday at a price of $10 per gallon.  For placed orders, the cost is $20 per gallon. The Smiths' 23-year-old son Jared --a recent UGA grad-- helps out on the farm on the weekends.

You can also stop by the Oconee Farmers Market on Saturdays over the next month and purchase berries.  At the Market, blueberries are sold in pints and quarts --the most popular option-- for $2.50 and $5, respectively.

Smith said they enjoy selling at the .

"It's a nice little market," she said. "They seem to be getting bigger and busier each week, especially now that the tomatoes are in season."

For more information about U-Pick at Whippoorwill Blueberries, call 706-769-1929 or email stephenandkay@bellsouth.net. And be on the lookout for a Whippoorwill Blueberries Facebook page, coming soon.

Here is a list of items vendors will have on hand this Saturday on the back lawn of Eagle Tavern from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.:

• Tomatoes
• Squash
• Cucumbers
• Snap beans
• Lima beans
• Peas
• Peppers
• Okra
• Grass-fed
• Local honey
• Cut flowers
• Pies (chocolate chess, strawberry-rhubarb, blueberry, pecan, apple w/ cheddar crumb topping)
• Whoopie pies
• Brownies
• Fourth-of-July-themed cookies
• Lavender shortbread
• Lip balms
• Decorated gourds
• Gourd instruments
• Recycled jewelry
• Boiled and fried peanuts
• Pork skins
• Beef jerky
• Pickles on a stick

A number of vendors will also be joining in the 2011 Oconee County Independence Day Celebration on Monday, July 4.  The Market opens at 8 a.m. Whippoorwill Blueberries will be there.