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he right balance of moisture, sunshine, and warm weather are the sweet trifecta for any berry growing season's success. Last year's late May frost shortened the strawberry season diminishing the window for available berries to consumers. This year, despite the cool Spring, look for more normal raspberry yields according to Richard Schroeder of Schroeder Produce in Cambridge. "Everyone (berry farmers) we've talked to said they have decent plant quality, decent berry quality," says Schroeder.
That bodes well for those waiting anxiously for the start of blueberry season. Schroeder Produce will open its' raspberry season in mid-July. The farm typically opens in late May for strawberries. Schroeder says the decision to open is weather dependent and varies from town to town, and across the state. Since the season is relatively short when compared to other prized state consumer crops like corn or apple season berry farmers have to be patient and resourceful. There are some variables in the growing cycle farmers can to some extent control.
Jelli's Farm Market in Helenville says they began their raspberry season on June 28th.
Unlike strawberries raspberries do not require straw around each plant as the bush generally grows tall (4'-6') according to Schroeder but the first year is critical for development so mulching applied. While blueberry plants prefer an acidic soil with a pH range of 4.0-4.5 the season lasts a bit longer but expect to pay a lot more per pint as Southern Wisconsin is not a big blueberry growing region. If you really want large quantities of the blueish berry it's best to head north to Bayfield by the Lake Superior coast.
Another key ingredient for a viable raspberry season, farmers often grow a number of varieties at the same time. Black, yellow, purple or orange each has their own unique flavor. Raspberry plants can be categorized as Summer-bearing and fall-bearing Each variety has its’ own July maturation date. Since the season typically runs between two to four weeks harvesting raspberries follows a bell curve. Schroeder described the cycling through the varieties as: slow picking at the season's beginning, high (lucrative) picking in the middle, and a slow down at the end. Summer-bearing plants produce one big crop of fruits in late summer. Fall-bearing plants produce two crops a year: one in early autumn and a smaller crop early the next summer.
Most of all, strawberry season is about nurturing a connectedness between local farmers and the public. Families can talk openly with their local farmers. Kids can learn about where their food comes from and find inspiration in walking around a working farm and picking berries. That sense of farm, family and community is very apparent when you visit the
Lutz Family Farm in Marshall. Following the gravel drive up to the Lutz family's farm brings a sense of calm and being home. Each Lutz family member plays a key role in the operation. Their strawberries are great as well but please check the Lutz Family's Berry line to make certain chance to out into the patch to pick your own. According to the Lutz Family's website their u-pick blueberry season will began sometime during the week of July 5, 2023. Most farms are anticipating their seasons to start around the first or second week of July.
There are a handful farms in our area growing blueberries. Here are just a few well-known places listed below to check out during the season.
Lastly, The Wisconsin Berry Grower's Association recommends arriving early in the day for the best of the crop, and remember to stay hydrated and beat the heat. When storing blueberries be mindful that the berry is only viable for 3-5 days after that it is best to freeze them.
AREA BLUEBERRY GROWERS:
Appleberry Farm
Blueberry and raspberry season coming up soon check Appleberry Farm's Facebook
page for updates.
8079 Maurer Road,
Cross Plains, WI 53528.
Phone: 608 798 2780.
Email: fun@theappleberryfarm.com
Blue Sky Farms
Organic raspberries
10320 N. Crocker Road,
Brooklyn, WI 53521.
Phone: 608-455-2803.
Email: paul@blueskiesfarm.com
Jelli's Market
N5648 S Farmington Road
Helenville, WI, 53137
Phone: (262) 593-5133
sknoebel@jellismarket.com
http://www.jellismarket.com
Lutz Family Farm
1477 County Road T
Marshall WI, 53559
Phone: (608) 655-3664
Schroeder Produce
N3420 E. Rockdale Rd.
Cambridge, WI 53523
Phone: (608) 695-0342
Skelly's Farm Market
Pick Your Own strawberries until the beginning of July
2713 S Hayner Rd,
Janesville, WI 53548
Phone: (608) 757 -1200
