Berry season is upon us.
Strawberry season typically kicks off in May or June in southwest Michigan before moving north. Raspberries and blackberries are ready through July and into August.
Experts say the best time to pick berries is in the morning when the fruit is cool. Strawberries are fully red and plump three to five weeks after blossoms appear. Raspberries are ready to harvest when full in color and they pull away without resistance. Ripe blackberries are fully black and come off the vine with a gentle pull.
Michigan Berry Spotters was created to bring the tradition of berry picking online in a way that benefits everyone planning their weekend outings to local farms.
“Berry picking is one of Michigan’s great summer traditions,” said Ben Smith, farmer and executive director of The Michigan State Horticultural Society, in a news release. “Michigan Berry Spotters was created to bring that tradition online in a way that benefits everyone from families planning their weekend outings to the local farms that make those experiences possible.”
The Michigan State Horticultural Society (MSHS) is a nonproft organization supporting Michigan fruit growers through research and education.
According to Smith, the MSHS is expanding Michigan Berry Spotters, a free, statewide Facebook community where residents and visitors are encouraged to share real-time updates on where strawberries, raspberries and blackberries are ripe; which farms are open; and which hauls are worth the drive.
Smith encourages joining the Facebook group before the season starts. It is open to all Michigan residents and visitors.
MSHS members Jeffrey and Lauren Nemeth operate Nemeth Greenhouse & Farm at 4260 E. Willis Road in Milan. The greenhouse offers a full berry lineup – strawberries, raspberries, blackberries (plus apples, blueberries, cherries, grapes, peaches, pears and plums).
Members, farmers and farmers markets are encouraged to post daily with updates of freshly picked berry sightings, ripeness updates, and hours and field conditions of their favorite farms.
Tips for berry picking include going early in the season and early in the day. Peak-ripeness windows are short and morning picking means cooler temperatures and fuller rows.
Make sure to bring more containers than you think you need and post your favorite farms with photos and stories from your experience.
Smith said growers, farms and farmers market owners interested in getting involved can join the Michigan Berry Spotters Facebook community or reach out to MSHS.
Michigan Agritourism also offers ways to find farms. You can search for what’s in season and events. Farms are listed by region. There are 60 farms and orchards listed in Southeast Michigan. — Contact reporter Lisa Vidaurri-Bowling at lvidaurribowling@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: It’s Michigan berry season. What month is best for berry picking?
Reporting by Lisa Vidaurri Bowling, The Monroe News / The Monroe News
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