Some of you will be receiving the first blueberries that we have picked this year (don’t worry, there are plenty more to come, and we will rotate packing days to be sure that everybody gets some in the next few weeks). Of the four varieties that we planted, Southmoon is the clear favorite so far. (The other three are Misty, O’Neill, and Jewel.) The Southmoon plants are vigorous and healthy, they are loaded with berries, and the flavor is excellent. Interestingly, contrary to what the nursery’s catalog says, all four varieties seem to be maturing at about the same time. We originally chose these four varieties so that they would mature sequentially, giving us a longer harvest period. Whether this is due to the odd weather this year, or the fact that we are so close to the coast (the nursery’s Rep said that he wasn’t aware of anybody doing blueberries so near the ocean), I don’t know. On the plus side, the berries of all four varieties seem to be maturing at a nice measured rate. This is great for us because it will give us a prolonged harvest period. The large commercial growers like a concentrated fruit-set so they don’t have to keep sending their harvest crews back in. We prefer to be able to harvest the fruit over a long period of time as it comes ripe.
The bird netting is working well, though an occasional starling manages to find its way in – they must be squeezing under the netting where it sits on the ground. To remove the birds we need to have one person open the netting at the far end while another moves alongside the row scaring the bird towards the opening. Chasing starlings out of the blueberry netting sounds like a good summer job for the kids.
For me, the frenetic pace of spring has given way somewhat to a more settled work week. I am no longer in a mad struggle to get ground worked up to plant into, and to stay ahead of our crew. Between weeding, thinning, planting, and harvesting there is more than enough work for everyone. But to a certain degree I am able to catch my breath, try to get organized, and see to the things like maintenance and repair, that tend to get overlooked in the spring frenzy.
We’ll have two strawberry u-picks this June—this coming Saturday and next Saturday (June 11th and 18th). Come out to our home farm on Harkins Slough Rd. in Watsonville from 10 am to 2 pm if you want to pick your own strawberries for freezing or jamming. Bring your own containers if you can, though we will have flats and baskets available. Cost for berries is $1.75 per pound for current CSA members; $2.00 per pound for non-members. See you there!
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