It’s berry picking time
Posted: Tuesday, June 30, 2009 8:01 pm
It’s been a tough spring, but Tennessee’s berry farmers are in the black — and blue and red — thanks to the rains that put other crops on hold. Recent wet months provided thirsty berry briars and canes just what they needed to make plenty of great big berries.
This works out well for both berry farmers, who now expect bumper crops this summer, and their customers, who are more interested than ever in finding local foods to harvest and store affordably. Berries are a recognized source of health benefits and are the easiest of foods to preserve successfully.
Tennessee has been a famous source of blackberries since it was settled, but nowadays, berries traditionally associated with other climes, like blueberries and raspberries, grow in well-tended rows on Tennessee farms alongside their native cousins. The result is that not only do berry lovers get more choices, but the berry season is considerably extended. Depending on the berry and the variety, visitors to local berry patches and farmers markets should be able to find berries from the last week in June and into August.
www.PickTnProducts.org
Published in The Messenger 6.30.09
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