Glaetzer's Blueberry Hill orchard is located halfway between Willunga and Mount Compass, just off Victor Harbour Road. The Glaetzer family have been growing blueberries on their property for around 25 years, after they bought their first plants from the Knoxfield Research Station in Victoria.
We caught up with Karen Glaetzer as she was catching her breath after picking blueberries.
"The season here is usually from the beginning of December til about the end of February - it varies from year to year with the weather," said Karen.
"We've got around 25 varieties of blueberries and we've been certified organic for about 15 years," she said.
"Some are better for jam and some are better for eating."
The cool, wetter climate of the area and the acidic soil makes the property an ideal location for growing blueberries, which Karen admitted are pretty finicky to grow.
"It took us a few years to get them right," said Karen.
Blueberries contain anti-oxidants and are extremely high in vitamin C (second only to blackcurrants). "They're apparently very good for your eye health." said Karen. "They are genetically close to the English bilberry and the story goes that in World War II, there were spitfire pilots doing night raids and who were fed on bilberry jam."
Karen said that if the conditions are right, the blueberry bush can last as long as a grape vine - for 100 years or more - setting up a long term future for the Glaetzer family.
Karen gave us some more unusual recipes that contain blueberries - download them here.
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