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Wednesday, April 30, 2008 9:42 AM It's a berry good time to pick By Eddie Fitzgerald | Times Staff Writer Next week is typically one of the busiest times for local produce growers as people flock to fields before Mother's Day to pick strawberries. James Sharp, owner of Deans Farm Market on N.C. 42 West, said since opening April 12 he has had a steady stream of strawberry lovers making their way to his fields. A good crop of strawberries has been produced this year because of a mild winter and spring, Sharp said. "They look great," he said. "They are beautiful berries this year. The strawberry season is in full swing now, and Sharp said he will have enough of the sweet berries on his 20 acres to meet the demands of the public. "We have a lot this week, and the weather will be cool and good for picking," he said. But next week is when the demand should really pick up, Sharp said. "We have lots of fruits that are very easy to pick this year," he said. "We've been fortunate. The plants are probably the healthiest we have had in a couple of years." The strawberry crop ripened about four to five days earlier this season in Wilson County because of the mild winter, Sharp said. But despite a good, healthy crop, customers can expect to pay a little more for strawberries this year. Sharp said his strawberries are still very competitively priced, but everything was based on fuel, which has increased in price dramatically, doubling and sometimes even tripling the cost of fertilizer it takes to grow the berries. Dean's Farm Market ships strawberries to stands as far away as New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland, Sharp said. Billy Little, Wilson County agriculture agent, said the high fuel prices are affecting prices at all produce outlets this season. "Of course, when you consider everything else going up, it is not a dramatic increase (for strawberries)," he said. "But it is an increase." There are four produce stands in Wilson County that are connected to pick-your-own strawberry fields, and one in Nash County near the Rocky Mount-Wilson Airport. All of them are producing good crops this year, Little said. "There is some very heavy produce in the fields everywhere right now," he said. "The sweetest strawberries are usual picked the first week of May. That is when they have a great quality." Jerry Coleman, owner of J&K Veggie on Rock Ridge School Road, opened his strawberry stand last week. "They are looking pretty good," he said. Coleman said he estimates the prices of the strawberries have gone up about 25 cents per pound this season in some places because of the high fuel prices. "The berries are not seeing that big of an increase," he said. "The big increases will come later with corn and tomato prices." Although Coleman said he is looking forward to a busy week next week, he is also excited about the new Wilson Farmers Market opening May 17 at the fairgrounds. Strawberries will be available there along with other fruits and vegetables, he said. eddie@wilsontimes.com | 265-7820 ========================================================== Pick-you-own strawberries: * J&K Veggie at 7474 Rock Ridge School Road; Jerry Coleman, 237-9295 * Deans Farm Market on N.C. 42 West; James Sharp, 237-0967 * Premier Produce on N.C. 58 near Saratoga; Sarah Lancaster, 291-3048 * Sandy Cross Produce on U.S. 264 Alt.; Chris Joyner, 205-0891 * Airport U-Pick on N.C. 97 near Rocky Mount-Wilson Airport; Sue Leggett, 252-904-5594 |
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