After running out of frozen berries early this year I really wanted to make a conscious effort in 2020 to get out more and get some berries picked for the freezer. I use them regularly in smoothies, cereal, pancakes and more all throughout the year.

It was near the end of August before blueberries were ripe enough to pick here on the East Coast. They definitely weren't as plentiful compared to other years but the picking wasn't too bad if you knew where to go.

Fresh raspberries were also pretty abundant which were a welcome new addition to my stockpile. Blueberries freeze well and don't really stick together if they are well dried off before freezing in tubs. Raspberries  were washed then frozen in small ziplock bags in meal size portions.

One afternoon I took advantage of a beautiful but warm afternoon and headed to Tors Cove to one of my favourite berry picking honey holes.

It was crazy to see some of the damage from our epic Snowmageddon blizzard this past winter. Sustained winds of over 100kph packed 73cm of snow super tight as wind changed direction half way through the storm. This dense heavy snow really did a number on trees as it settled in the days following the storm, it literally pulled tree branches from the trunk!

I even spied four grouse on the trail!

Most of the way through August and we are still seeing 28ºC on the thermometer.

On August 29th Sandra and Nellie joined me on a quest for berries further down the Southern Shore near Aquaforte. Berries on the pole line were not all that plentiful, however picking was much better down on the road near the truck!

Out of snacks and nearly starved after a long day in the woods (and being rained on twice) we stopped into the Riverside Restaurant in Cape Broyle for an absolutely awesome feed on our way home.

All in all a pretty dandy haul for a day on the "berry hills".

Just the way I like them, pancakes that are mostly berries, this time a mix of Blueberry & Raspberries.

This year I also picked Blackberries for the first time as I've never really found a decent plot of them before. I harvested a couple tubs worth and they added well to my frozen stash at home. They pair really well with blueberries in stuff and are supposed to be quite good for you as well!

Cheers, MIKE

Copyright © 2025 Michael Smith