5. Once all berries are frozen in this way you may bag them in labeled zip lock bags. Freezing your berries in this way (versus dumping them in the bag all at once), results in berries that hold their shape much longer when thawed and cooked. And, because they are individually frozen, they won't stick together - so you can grab a few for a smoothie, pancake batter, or to add to your yogurt without having to thaw the entire bag!

Once frozen, your berries will keep for 10-12 months. To thaw them, simply place them in the refrigerator! Don't thaw blueberries if you're going to bake them into anything. The "melted" juice will turn your cakes, muffins, and other baked goods blue, and your pie will be runny. Toss each cup of frozen berries with 1 or 2 teaspoons of flour, then follow your recipe as usual!

If you do thaw your frozen berries before use, put them in a mixing bowl and toss with 1 tablespoon sugar for each quart of berries, or they will be overly-tart when defrosted.

Using these tips, it will be easy to enjoy the fruits of a Minnesota Grown harvest all year long! Don't forget to pull out those strawberries to celebrate National Strawberry Month in May! To find a berry farmer or market near you, visit us at www.minnesotagrown.com or request your free Minnesota Grown Directory here.  

For more information on freezing berries, visit the University of Minnesota Extension website.  

Meander through a farmers market in the month of July and you will notice fresh cut flowers appearing amidst the assortment of fresh produce. Beautiful bouquets of flowers are a quick and easy way to brighten someone's day, and believe it or not flowers are good medicine! According to behavioral research conducted at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, women who are given flowers are reported to carry happiness around with them for up to 3 days after receiving flowers. If flowers are displayed or set out in a room, it incites friendliness. Flowers given to elderly people actually improve memory retention. Also - as a little bonus for you work desk dwellers - flowers and plants promote innovation and productivity in the workplace. Perhaps those who coined the phrase "Flower Power" were truly on to something!

This month we visited DeeJ's LLC/Johnson Farms, a cut flower farm in Shorewood, MN, to hear more about this blooming industry. What did we learn? Raising cut flowers is a lot of work, and Dee and Ron Johnson have been cut flower producers for years, building themselves a reputation for quality nation-wide.

Located just west of the Minnetonka High School, Johnson Farms is a three generation family farm producing fresh flowers and vegetables on 22 acres of natural setting.  Dee and Ron have always been gardeners and farmers at heart, but began growing flowers at a larger scale in 1981. Since then, they have been beneficiaries of the development of peony cultivars introduced through the Minnesota Peony Society and the American Peony Society. Dee shared with us how difficult it is to grow and manage their nearly 4,000 peony plants in nearly 400 cultivars, as it takes 5-6 years to cultivate them! We are so glad she is so patient because every spring the cut flower season begins with beautiful and bountiful blooms from these plants.  These blooms are followed by gladiolas, dahlias, lilies, sunflowers and zinnias. Throughout the summer, they and their grandchildren work in the fields as flowers are cut and wrapped to be sold at markets in Chanhassen and Minnetonka, as well as to florists, friends and neighbors, or shipped around the country! The couple also works with customers who want something custom. Just recently, over 900 blooms were sourced from DeeJ's by a designer from California for a wedding in the area!

In addition to cut flowers, the Johnson's grow a variety of fresh produce for the market, specializing in heirloom tomatoes and ethnic vegetables such as Lebanese squash and Japanese eggplant. They also provide consumers in the area with foraged greens such as nettles. Don't be intimidated, they will provide you with advice on the best way to prepare and enjoy them as well!

You can find more information about DeeJ's/Johnson Farms by visiting their listing here. Remember, DeeJ's/Johnson Farms is just one of 21 Minnesota Grown members providing Minnesotans with cut flowers fresh from the field. Find a producer near you, and stay local this summer!

All photos in this article are courtesy of DeeJ's-Johnson Farms.