Red and Black Raspberries and Blackberries

Raspberry season part ONE starts the second week of June and runs through July. Blackberry season starts mid July and runs through August. Raspberry season part TWO starts in September and some years runs all the way until frost in late October.

Rules

• Do NOT throw the berries.
• Children must be monitored at all times.
• As with other fruit, sampling is OK, but gluttony is theft.  We want you to know what you are picking, but please do not eat more than a few. 
• Do not wander to other fields.  Only pick the fruit that is advertised as being ripe.
• It is OK to sit a short while and enjoy our farm.  But please understand that we are not a park, and need to cover our costs by selling food.

Know the difference between Black Raspberries and Blackberries.

IMPORTANT! How to Pick the Best Berry!

Red/Black RASPBERRIES

• Make sure berry is deep and even in color (red, black, or golden depending on variety).
• If you have to give it a tug, it’s not ripe yet; it should easily fall off by your gentle touch.
• Avoid squeezing, they are delicate.
• Unless using for juice/jam, do not stack them deeply in your container.
• Keep them cool and dry once picked.
• Picking early in the morning when berries are cool and firm will help them to not bruise.
• If picking in heavy sun, keep your picking container in a shady spot to preserve the berries.

BlackBERRIES

• Make sure berry is fully black (no red or light coloring).
• The ripest berries will have the largest drupels (the “balls” that make up the berry).
• Gently pull, if they are fully ripe then will easily pop off.
• Avoid squeezing, they are delicate.
• Keep them cool and dry once picked.
• Picking early in the morning when berries are cool and firm will help them to not bruise.
• If picking in heavy sun, keep your picking container in a shady spot to preserve the berries.

After Picking Care

• Get them into a fridge as soon as you are able.
• Don’t wash them right away, wash them as you are going to eat them. Washing adds moisture, which encourages mold, and moisture isn’t easily dried on these berries.
• Keep them dry in a ventilated container within your fridge.
• Try to use a shallow container, if you don’t have one put a paper towel in between the layers of berries.
• Our berries are bred for taste, not shelf life. Berries will stay fresh in the fridge for 2-3 days, afterwards you may need to make jam 😉

Freezing Instructions

1. You may wash them now that you have decided to freeze them. Allow to dry.
2. Pull off an stems or crowns that are still attached to any of your berries.
3. Then, lay them out on a baking sheet, make sure they aren’t touching.
4. After that, place the baking sheet in a freezer overnight.
5. Finally, scoop them into a plastic bag or container of your choosing.

Now your berries are ready for smoothies, pies, jam, and more all year long!