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 is
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   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. Raspberries are high in vitamin c, manganese,
and dietary fiber as well as low in calories.
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 planted another 1/3rd acre in
2010 as well as 2011.  We will be offering picked strawberries in both 1
quart and 2 quart eco-friendly fiber containers and possibly cardboard
flats. New for 2012 we now offer u-pick strawberries as well.
Asparagus
In 2009 we added 1/10th of an acre of organic asparagus and is now
available picked in the early spring through June. The taste of fresh
picked asparagus can not be beat. Asparagus can be eaten raw as well as
cooked, our favorite is grilled with a little olive oil & garlic. Asparagus is a
great detox and anti-aging vegetable.
What's ahead
In 2008 we also planted some tart 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 plum (Black Ice) which is a large
sweet juicy desert 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?
We now offer U-pick Strawberries which start about mid-June. Both the
Blueberries and Raspberries start to ripen about mid July depending on
the weather. We offer both picked and U-pick strawberries, blueberries
and raspberries. We encourage you to bring your own containers for
strawberry & 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 3'-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 (715-468-2591!
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
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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We are now certified USDA organic by MOSA  on all of our blueberry,
raspberry, strawberry, asparagus, pear, plum and cherry production.
The crops are looking great going into 2012, the only thing we could
use is a little more moisture as well as snow cover. We will know a lot
more come spring. Mother Nature still has the upper hand when it
comes to our fruit production, after all it is still farming.
Delicious Strawberries
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