Courtney Gray of Grayson’s Berryland in Clear Lake says this year the crop “has been really good” and the growing season “has been very quick”. She credits the cool weather because strawberries don’t take too well to the extreme heat the area typically sees this time of year.

 

“We’ve avoided a lot of the rain and the strawberries have never been better,” she said.

 

John Svihel of Svihel Farms in Foley says much of the same.

 

“This season has been really good and may be the best ever,” he said Thursday morning.

 

Svihels sells June Bearing and Everbearing strawberries and will also have raspberries and blueberries in late July and early August. They hand out ice cream bucket containers that pickers can fill for about $12 a container.

 

Graysons sells their berries in 10-lb. boxes that cost the customer around $17. They offer King and Honey Oye types of strawberries.

 

This weekend, Graysons will not have any pre-picked berries available July 4-6 since their picking crews will be with their families for the holiday. Hours for the weekend are 8 a.m. until noon (July 4), 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. (July 5),  and  8 a.m. to noon on Sunday (July 6).

 

“The strawberries won’t be around much longer,” said Courtney. “They are going fast, maybe another week or so.”

 

Courtney says after that, the blueberries and raspberries will be available sometime around mid-July.

 

John Svihel thinks his strawberries will be ripe and ready to pick for another week, maybe two so people who are interested should come around sooner rather than later.  Their hours of operation for berry picking are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. They also have pre-picked berries available.

 

Besides berries, Svihel Farms also sells watermelon, cantaloupe and a wide variety of vegetables including sweet corn, green beans, tomatoes and pumpkins.

 

Courtney Gray said after visiting a u-pick strawberry facility, one should lay out the berries on a cookie sheet or plate and put them in the fridge for best keeping of the fruit. She also suggests that if you decide to freeze them, to cut the tops off before putting them in a bag so they are ready to use.

 

Grayson’s Berryland has been around since the early 80’s and Svihel Frams since the mid-90’s. Both farms use modest pesticide control with the chemical being applied to the blossoms and not to the berry itself.

 

“That’s what makes it safe for people to pick the berries while their there and enjoy them right away from the plant,” said Courtney.

 

Grayson’s Berryland is located at 6705 Co. Rd. 8 in Clear Lake and Svihel Farms is located at 12004 Duelm Rd. NE in Foley.