Strawberry Picking II
The strawberry picking season is back! At its prime around end of June or early July, strawberry picking brings great excitements to berry producers, pickers; and not to forget, berry lovers! The berry picking season lasts for three weeks or so. Despite the lack of warm sunshine since the beginning of spring this year, strawberry plants are doing well and the berries are ripening up. Having said that, berry growers are facing problems in harvesting the berries. The large amount of rain is unusual; it places a damper on berry picking.
Berry pickers have troubles staying out in the cool and wet weather. As a result, this leads to fruit rot. Berry growers foresee a shorter harvest season this year, as the plants require more warm sunshine days and a drier climate to grow well.
Last weekend, Miles and I went strawberry picking at the Sunset U-Pick Farm on Ferris Street (off Sunset Drive) with some friends. $1.25/lb or $2/quart for some fresh strawberries! Freshly picked berries are delicious to be eaten right away, used in fruit smoothie, baking, or can even be kept frozen for future consumption. Preparing homemade jams and jellies with fresh berries is a great idea too.
There are about 400 acres of strawberry field within the province of New Brunswick, with 65 growers at various locations. The crops bring an income between 2 and 3 million dollars, on a yearly basis.
The entrance of the Sunset U-Pick Farm.
The hay-lined rows of strawberry patch.
The berries are ripen.
The busy berry pickers.
Strawberries are clustered like small apples.
The plump, bright red, and juicy-looking fruit.
A Siamese berry?
Fresh strawberries in quart baskets.
The raspberry bushes. They will be ready for picking in three weeks’ time!
The unripe blueberries.
Tags: Fredericton, Summer
July 9th, 2009 at 10:41 am
Those strawberries are very very red! I can smell them from here :o) They are usually quite cheap too when they are in season.
July 9th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
Ai Shiang, they’re bright red and very sweet! I enjoy the berry picking season a lot. It’s something that I enjoy doing every summer. Are there places for berry picking in Sydney?