Right now, berries are 'fantastic'
Jun 23, 2009 - 03:19 PM
By Jennifer Stone
COURTICE -- Local pick-your-own fields are jammed with strawberries right now.
Strawberries are traditionally ready the second week of June and this year is no exception, said Sarah Kostenick, of Pingles Farm Market in Hampton.
"Right now, they're fantastic," she said.
Generally, the strawberry season, based on traditional plants, runs about three weeks, or, "if it's a good season, four weeks," Ms. Kostenick said.
But many local growers have dramatically extended that season by planting the ever-bearing variety of the fruit. Those berries can last until first frost in the fall, Ms. Kostenick said.
"Last year, we had too much rain, and they were gone early," she said. "But, the year before that, we had them right through to Thanksgiving."
Local strawberries tend to be more expensive than those imported from the U.S. and beyond, but there's good reason for that, Colleen Pingle said.
"A lot of the chain stores that bring in U.S. berries have them in and their loss leaders," she said, referring to a marketing strategy under which some products are sold at no profit or even at a loss, to bring in customers.
But beyond that, "I don't think you can get the quality or the flavour that you can fresh from our farm" from imported berries, Ms. Pingle said.
"People really enjoy the experience of coming out with their families, having a wagon ride out to the field, and picking their own," she said.
Ms. Kostenick offers some hints to those planning to go to a pick-your-own location.
"It's crazy hot in the fields," she said. "A hat would be good. And we highly recommend sunscreen."
Pingles and several other growers offer containers to pick into or pickers can bring their own.
Picking began last week, and should continue for some time, Ms. Kostenick said.
"The berries are good right now," she said.
Recommend :