Jennifer Kern
Staff Writer

The summer weather has been warm this year, particularly when comparing it to unseasonably cool weather last summer.

And for one local business, the differing temperatures have created a unique working experience.

ìThis is new territory for us, weíve never had this hot of weather,î explained Pete Larsen. He and wife Mary, own Covered Bridge Farm in Forest Lake.

Though the couple also farms apples and trees, their business is well-known in the summer for blueberry picking.

The Larsens have been selling blueberries for approximately 10 years. Each July, families and individuals stop by to gather fresh blueberries at the farm. The farm sells by the pint.

ìWeíve opened as early as July 3 and as late as the 13th,î said Pete.

Varying seasons

The opening of blueberry-picking season is based on when the blueberry patch blossoms and when the berries are ripe for picking.

ìThis year, they started blossoming May 2,î he recalled.

This summerís high temperatures caused the blueberries to ripen quickly, which was quite a contrast to last summerís season.

ìThey werenít ripening fast enough, it was too cool last year,î described Mary.

Warm weather affects more than just the berries. The amount of berry-pickers visiting the farm fluctuated as well.

ìLast year, we had more people out because the weather was cool,î said Pete.

The couple explained berry-pickers this year made a point to stop by in the earlier and later hours of the day to avoid the midday heat.

Popular destination

Approximately 2,000 people visited Covered Bridge Farm during the blueberry season, which ended on Friday.

ì(The season) usually lasts about three weeks,î noted Mary.

Along with local patrons, many visitors swing through for blueberry-picking as well. Covered Bridge Farm has been featured in Midwest Living magazine and is continually listed in the annual Minnesota Grown Directory, which is developed through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. The directory serves as an index of a variety of farms and markets in the state.

Covered Bridge Farm is located south on Highway 61 at 18655 Forest Blvd.

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Forest Lake Times
P.O. Box 218
880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
Fax 651-464-4605