[twitter]When I was growing up, we had a field of wild blueberries behind our house. Every August, I would spend hours each day filling old ice cream buckets. My dad would then clean them, and sell them to his colleagues at his work. I would get about $1 a pound – turning a $5/hr summer job. Not bad for 1985.

Now, as my kids are growing, I’ve rediscovered my love of berry picking. In Alberta, Saskatoon berries are the blue goodness of choice and they are just rounding into form on Calgary area farms this week.

Saskatoon berries are at their peak picking time at the end of July, and first week of August. If you’re eager, and can pick around the fruit that needs a little more time to hang, you can head out to The Bloomingfields in Didsbury to get started this weekend.

The Bloomingfields is a beautiful property that also features big blooms of rhubarb, raspberries, cherries, carrots, potatoes, and onions for picking. There’s a tea house, a large lawn, and friendly staff to point you around.

Most other Saskatoon Berry U-Pick Farms around Calgary will open closer to August. Prices range from $2.50-$3 per pound.

Here’s a list of other farms you can U-Pick near Calgary, you can see a great map of farms that are open to the public at CountryDrive.ca

Kayben Farms
Where: Just north of Okotoks between Hwy 2 and 2A
What: Black currants, vegetables

The Saskaberry Ranch
Where: Northwest of Calgary, close to Sundre
What: Strawberries, saskatoons, vegetables, eggs, and range chicken

The Saskatoon Farm
Where: North of Okotoks, 3 km east of Hwy 2
What: Saskatoons, pies, bakery

Serviceberry Farms
Where: Just north of Strathmore
What: Strawberries, vegetables

Solstice Berry Farms
Where: Northwest of Calgary, close to Crossfield
What: Saskatoons