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Published May 13, 2008 04:34 pm - For folks sweet on strawberries, this is their Super Bowl, Final Four and World Series all rolled into one month. It is officially strawberry-picking time in Missouri. And this year, unlike last year, most area growers are reporting healthy crops. Time is ripe for berries: This year’s strawberry crop is healthy, growers say By Mike Pound
mpound@joplinglobe.com For folks sweet on strawberries, this is their Super Bowl, Final Four and World Series all rolled into one month. It is officially strawberry-picking time in Missouri. And this year, unlike last year, most area growers are reporting healthy crops. Steve and Tami Fredrickson own Fredrickson Farms at 303 N. Grimes St. in Carl Junction. Tami said the berries at the family farm are just now rolling into the prime picking period. The berries are plump, ripe and deep red. Well, most of them are. Like most plants, strawberries tend to grow at their own pace. But by and large, the some 20,000 strawberry plants at Fredrickson Farms are ready to be picked. Although there are plenty of tasty fresh strawberries available at just about any local farmers’ market in the area, there is just something about the taste of a strawberry fresh off the plant that is tough to beat. Pick-your-own farms like the Fredricksons’ offer a chance for true strawberry lovers to get as close to the source as possible. Tami said it’s good for people to get a chance to come out and pick their own fruit. “This is where it comes from,” she said. “We like for people to come out and get a chance to really look at a strawberry plant.” Steve said that lately there has been a real movement among folks to know exactly where their food comes from — which is apparent from the growing popularity of farmers’ markets. When it comes to strawberry picking, there really are not that many rules and most of them are really self-explanatory. Dress appropriately, of course. Remember that strawberry picking requires you to be on your knees a lot, so long pants might be something to consider. A hat and sunscreen also are a must. Tami suggests that before you head out to a pick-your-own farm you call ahead to make sure picking conditions are ripe. Strawberries are affected by weather more so than many other crops. Rain or cool temperatures can make for poor picking. Fredrickson Farms can be reached by dialing (417) 649-7462. It’s also a good idea to leave for the farm early. On busy weekends, it’s possible for the best berries to be completely picked over by noon. It’s also a good idea to check to see if you need to bring your own containers for the berries. At Fredrickson Farms, Tami said it’s always best to check with either she or Steve before picking. That way you can be shown exactly where to start picking and you will also be asked to mark the spot where you stop picking, she said. The Fredricksons charge $1.50 a pound for their strawberries and each container they provide you with holds up to 10 pounds of strawberries. 
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