The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Time to be pick-y
It may not be best-ever at some local farms, but it’s strawberry season nonetheless
A cooler-than-usual spring made strawberries a little late, but one grower says it’s the best and sweetest strawberry crop he’s ever grown.
“We’ve had no rain, which makes the strawberries supersweet,” said Larry Secor, who has two acres of strawberries at his Secor Nursery in Perry Township. “It’s the best crop I’ve ever had.” The weather has been just about perfect for strawberries, he said.
Secor opened this week for the you-pick crowd and has seen plenty of pickers show up first thing when he opens at 4940 N. Ridge Road. That’s Route 20, about five miles past the split between Routes 2 and 20.
“Some people pick 100 pounds,” he said.
Those who want to bring their own containers get those containers weighed before they pick.
Others buy containers from Secor. Those preferring to buy at the farm stand pay $5 per quart.
Picking is the best first thing in the morning. The farm opens at 8 a.m. for picking or buying at the farmstand. Fields close when they are picked out, so it’s always a good idea to call first. Nearby Rainbow Farms won’t open for those picking their own until next week.
“We had several 20-degree days in May when the buds were forming,” said farmer Tina Klco. “So the crop is not only late but smaller this year. We’ve got strawberries available by the pint in our home market, but when people come to pick their own, we want them to have the best picking.”
She said it’s not going to be a huge crop and it’s possible strawberry fields will be picked out early.
“We may only open until noon each day for picking,” she said.
“People need to call first,” she said.
West Orchards opens June 11 for those wishing to pick strawberries.
“The crop this year is neither here nor there,” said Ame West, who with her husband, Todd West, operates the farm that’s been in the West family since 1891.
“We sort of got zapped by the cool weather a couple weeks ago,” she said. “We’ve got lots of berries, but they aren’t huge.”
They’ve been spot-picking the crop so they’ll have some for their farm market.
“I think after the weekend we’ll be fine,” she said. “After all, we had snow just three weeks ago.”
West Orchards will have sour cherries for picking around July 4, just about when the strawberry season ends in Northeast Ohio.
“The cherries are fine, and so are our peaches and apples,” she said. “Lake Erie protects us from the cold. Farms to the south of us lost their peach crop.”
The farm has become well known for its peaches.
Patterson Fruit Farm in Chester Township expects to open its strawberry fields on June 13 for those wishing to pick their own berries, according to a message on their strawberry hotline
at 440-720-9809. The farm is at 8765 Mulberry Road.
The Patterson family, which has offered picking since 1961, provides containers for pickers. Strawberries also are available at its farm market, 11414 Caves Road.
Area farms opening fields for those wishing to pick their own strawberries advise pickers to arrive early. It’s a good idea to call before to go to assure picking is available.
Most open at 8 a.m.