Fruits
Bashaw Valley Farm & Greenhouse
W7402 Fox Trail Rd.
Shell Lake, WI 54871
715-468-2591
Blueberries

It all began back in 1990 when we were looking for a product that would
compliment our retail garden center business. Already operating a farm
we decided to try our luck at fruit production. We were looking for a fruit
in which we could grow organically or in an earth friendly way. After a lot
of research and experimenting with different varieties we decided to try
our hand at growing blueberries. In the summer of 1990 we planted one
acre of Northblue half-high blueberry bushes, little did we know what we
were getting into.  A couple years after planting the patch we were hit
with a freak hail storm with golf ball sized hail, this storm stripped all  the
leaves from the trees and took the young plants right back to the ground.
After threatening to plow the patch under several times, and a lot of back
breaking work the plants finally started to make some head way. Finally in
1995 we began our first year of U-pick and retail sales. We have been
picking every year since with the exception of one year. In 2003 we were
blessed with a brutally cold winter along with very little snow cover,
followed by an ice storm which coated the bushes for a couple of weeks.
As a result nearly all the buds, which are set the previous fall, were
destroyed along with most of the plant. This led to no fruit production that
year along with a major plant pruning project which took the entire
summer. This setback affected fruit production for several years to come.
The last four years have also been  very challenging after a prolonged
drought. Thanks to a good well and our drip irrigation system we were
able to sustain a fair amount of production. It just goes to show you that
Mother Nature is still in control and that blueberries are no easy row to
hoe.
Health Benefits of Blueberries
Blueberries also referred to as "Brain Berries" are listed as one of the
world's healthiest foods. Blueberries are bursting with nutrients and
flavor, yet are low in calories. Blueberries are packed with antioxidants
and ellagic acid. Research has shown that blueberries have the potential
to improve motor skills and reverse short term memory loss that comes
from aging. Studies also show blueberries help maintain urinary tract
health along with blocking metabolic pathways that can promote cancer.
Various studies have demonstrated that people who consume fruits
which are high in ellagic acid are three times more less likely to develop
cancer than those who consume little or no dietary ellagic acid.
Blueberries, as well as raspberries, blackberries and boysenberries, are
higher in ellagic acid than other fruits. To add to the health benefits of
blueberries  at Bashaw Valley we grow all our fruit organically. This
accomplished by the use of organic fertilizers, sawdust as mulch and a lot
of hard work, weeding the entire acre by hand each year. We are deeply
concerned about our environment and have personally chosen this
production system  to benefit you the customer as well as the
generations to come.
Raspberries
Again trying to diversify our business further and to add to our organic
fruit production in 2006 we planted a quarter acre followed by another 1/2
acre in 2008 of summer bearing raspberries. We now offer both picked
and u-pick raspberries.
Strawberries
After several requests by our valued customers, in 2009 we added a
quarter acre of organic strawberries to the mix. Still in the experimental
stage things are looking positive and we plan to add another quarter acre
in 2010. We will be offering picked strawberries in both 1 quart and 2
quart eco-friendly fiber containers and possibly cardboard flats.  
Unfortunately I don't think we will have the volume for pick your own
strawberries at this time.
Asparagus
In 2009 we also added 1/10th of an acre of organic asparagus in which we
hope to offer some picked product in 2010. We are waiting to see how this
turns out and if we can stay ahead of the weeds before expanding
production.
What's ahead
In 2008 we also planted some cherry and pear trees. It will be several
years before we see the results of the cherry and pear production and
have fruit to sell if this is a successful venture. We will keep you posted
on the progress of the pears and cherries. In 2009 we added more cherry
trees and are trying a new variety of peach and plum, heaven help us
what will be next.
Pick your own
So you want to try your hand at picking some of our mouth watering
berries?
Both the Blueberries and Raspberries start to ripen about mid July
depending on the weather. We offer both picked and U-pick blueberries
and raspberries. We encourage you to bring your own containers for
blueberry picking,ice cream buckets work great with the aid of a belt. We
can also provide you with buckets and harnesses if you don't have one,
then transfer it to a box free of charge for the ride home. Blueberry &
raspberry plants range 2'-5' tall and have mowed grass strips in between
for your picking comfort. We will provide you with pint containers for
picking raspberries which are sold by the pint. It is a good practice to
wear a wide brim hat,sunscreen and drink plenty of fluids during hot
weather. We can't control mother nature and ripening varies, it is a must
to call ahead for picking conditions daily! We now have our own picked
organic strawberries ripening mid June. Pre-picked berries are in high
demand and available on a first come first serve basis. We encourage you
to call ahead to order your pre-picked berries and we'll be glad to fill your
order. If you would like to sign up for our E-letter we will be E-mailing a
notice of when berry picking begins. Just enter your E-mail address in the
subscribe link below.








More Information
If you would like recipes or more information on growing and health
benefits of blueberries & raspberries please check out some of these
web sites.
Please call ahead for picking conditions or more info.(715)468-2591
Bumblebees a welcome friend
Blueberries Natures perfect fruit
Plump berries waiting to be picked
And the rush is on!
Pruning and burning of old wood
Snow is
natures
perfect
insulator
New for 2010 we are now USDA Certified Organic on all of our blueberry, raspberry,
strawberry and asparagus production.
We are still picking blueberries please call ahead to place a order
or to check on picking conditions @715-468-2591. Raspberries
are done for the season after a record producing crop.
Mouthwatering raspberries
New cherry/pear orchard 2008
Pickers come in all sizes
Older raspberry patch loaded with berries
T-Tape drip irrigation has been a life saver
the last 4 or 5 extremely dry years.
Pickers enjoying the harvest and socializing
with friends and family!
Mother Nature at work and she still holds the
upper hand in fruit production.
Beautiful fall blueberry colors with seagulls in
the background!
A cold May morning with overhead irrigation
at work which saved the 2008 blueberry crop!
Pickers enjoying the weather and the
beautiful view.
Deer damage led to the construction of this
7'high 9 strand high tensile wire fence in 2008
Old Jack Frost at work.
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The 2009 picking season for Blueberries, Raspberries and
Strawberries is over.  It was an average year for the blueberries, after
last years bumper crop, but the demand out did our supply.  The
raspberries were exceptional and we now have frozen raspberries
for sale. Being the first year for our strawberry production we had a
limited supply of berries. This year we hope to have a good supply of
mouth watering picked strawberries and asparagus, if things go as
planned.  Mother Nature still has the upper hand when it comes to
our production, after all it is still farming.
Delicious Strawberries