May 28, 2008

•  ….what sweeter word of spring is there than the one spelled “s-t-r-a-w-b-e-r-r-i-e-s?”

                                                   

  Just knowing that strawberries are almost ripe stirs all the senses….their delectable, juicy taste, the fresh, sweet smell, the feel of the soft, plump fruit between the fingers, the vision of a bed of ripe berries just ready to be picked….and what sound do you hear? I hear the sound of children’s laughter, for what child doesn’t love strawberries?

                                                                            

  I know one who loves them, a little boy of whom I’m particularly fond. So when we heard that the strawberry u-pick operation was open for business, off we went, along with his mommy and a young neighbor, Rebecca, enlisted to help keep up with the busy boy.

                                    

  There was a soaking rain shower falling when we awoke Monday morning, but a phone call to the farm revealed that picking would resume when it ended. It is about 45 miles from our place to the Simpsons’, and the rain had ceased by the time we arrived.

                                  

  U-pick fruit farms are some of my favorite places. Not everyone can have the space or time to grow their own fruit, but those fortunate enough to live near one of these special venues can experience the freshness of the fruit and appreciate the process of harvesting for themselves.

                     

  Just driving up to the farm is a visual delight! Wayne Simpson of Mountain Grove, along with his wife, son and daughter, have created a beautiful and interesting environment for their operation.

                    

  While strawberries are their main crop, they also grow white grapes that are produced for a Missouri winery, vegetables such as tomatoes, onions and peppers that are sold throughout the summer at local farmers’ markets, and beautiful hanging baskets and bedding plants that are grown in their greenhouse.

                     

  Antique log cabins, reconstructed by Mr. Simpson, give the farm a sense of permanence and history.

                                                             

  The Simpsons have a well-organized system, making the picking process easy for all comers.

                                      

  Golf carts with wagons behind carry pickers and empty boxes to the rows of strawberries. Flags indicate where to begin and where picking ends.

                                  

  When you’ve filled your boxes and are ready to leave, the carts come along and haul you back to the check-out barn.

                                        

  Mr. Simpson employs a raised-bed system of growing, one that works well for strawberries. Soil is “hipped up” into long hills, black plastic is put down, and double rows of plants are inserted through holes in the plastic and then grow on top of the hills.

                                 

   Weeds are kept to a minimum by the plastic, eliminating the need for most manual weeding. The farm uses no chemicals, so this is important. Grass grows between the rows of hills, making it easy to keep the beds mown and neat for pickers.

                            

  Irrigation is available but probably has not been needed this year! We’ve been well blessed with rainfall this spring, and the plants are lush, green and just loaded with ripe and ripening berries, and are also still blooming. The season lasts 4-6 weeks if the weather cooperates.

                                 

  Little boys just love strawberries! Mr. Simpson agrees and does not worry about weighing the little boys before they enter the strawberry patch and again upon leaving. He was a little boy once, too, and just smiles when he sees red chins with strawberry juice dribbling down. Mr. Simpson knows that the best berry is the one just picked and popped into the mouth.

                                                                

  One way to keep from having muddy shoes is to simply wear none!

                                                  

  Picking strawberries does not seem like work here.

                           

  It is such fun to see everyone excited about the berries, happy to be outside early on this Ozarks’ morning, searching for the perfect berry. An hour, then two, pass quickly, and it hasn’t taken long to fill up our boxes!

                        

  Sometimes there is a surprise at the strawberry patch….an old friend from school days! This young man was a frequent guest in our home when the young folks were in high school. The conversation then was about basketball games. Now they compare babies and married life.

                                                                                     

  Back home, the day’s real work is still ahead. Stemming, crushing and cooking turns the fruit into jam.

                                         

  Next winter, when snow lies deep on the ground and covers all thought of strawberry plants, the fresh taste will remain in these jars.

                             

  Some berries make their way into bags for the freezer, after being individually quick frozen to help retain their shape and texture. Some are sliced into a bowl for strawberry shortcake tonight, and quite a few of the most perfect ones are popped into the preparer’s mouth on a regular basis. No counting…just eat the best ones!

  Hope you all have a chance to visit a u-pick operation soon to get some of this sweetness for yourself! Happy Strawberrying!

  • 2:17 pm
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