Once picked, don't place the berries in a closed bag or container. Leave the container open so moisture doesn't form in the container. Please remember your berries are perishable and need to be protected from direct sunlight and heat inside your vehicle.

Don't wash berries until just before you are ready to eat them or use them. Washing them will remove the bloom that prevents the berries’ skin from becoming soft.

Once home, spread blueberries out in a single layer, like a cookie sheet, and take out any unripe berries, stems, or leaves. In addition, also remove overripe and damaged berries so they don’t spread mold to the other blueberries.

Unripe Blueberries, which have a red-ish to purple color, can be ripened by placing an apple, banana, or avocado in a paper bag with the berries. Roll up the bag and put it in a cool, dark place. The ethylene gas trapped inside the enclosed bag will cause the blueberries to ripen faster.

Chill berries soon after picking to increase shelf life. If refrigerated, fresh-picked blueberries can keep up to 7 to 10 days.

 Freezing your Blueberries is a great way to enjoy your fruit throughout the year. After you buy fresh blueberries, place them in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Be sure to not wash the blueberries before freezing. After they are frozen, transfer to an air tight plastic bag or freezer container and store. When you are ready to use your blueberries, take them out and wash prior using.

Weights and measures: 1 cup of blueberries normally weighs about 1/3 of a pound, so 1 pound of blueberries is almost 3 cup's worth. Of course, this can vary considerably based on the variety of size of berry, weather conditions and degree of ripeness. Typically, many recipes call for 2 pounds of blueberries for a 9 inch pie.