Blueberries also offer other advantages over strawberries for PYO operations. Blueberries require little stooping. Customers find them easy to freeze, requiring little preparation other than washing, and easy to use. PYO surveys have found a trend towards an increased average age of PYO consumers. The blueberry crop is usually sold within 60 days, depending upon weather and varieties.
Weekends are usually the busiest.
Coordinating sales advertising and promotion with peak harvests challenges even experienced growers. PYO growers must be market oriented, plan far ahead, seek alternative market possibilities, train employees, and develop successful advertising, especially a good farm logo. Before starting any small-scale enterprise, a farmer should study the potential markets, trade areas, competitors, and the advertising media. The scales used for sales should be inspected by the Weights and Measures Division of the State Department of Agriculture or Commerce. A direct market business requires time to develop.