Wednesday, Apr. 20, 2011

Berry Promising

Growers hoping for a bumber crop of strawberries

Get ready for some strawberries.

Local farmers say recent weather conditions have made for a good strawberry crop. Which means some farms in the area are open for strawberry-lovers to come pick their own berries.

At Smith's Nursery near McGee's Crossroads, folks can do just that. Myron Smith has been growing strawberries off of Sanders Road for 17 years. The four acres of berries are a draw for local school field trips. Recently, Riverwood Elementary students traveled to the farm to pick strawberries.

"We did a good job frost-protecting," Smith said. "It has potential to be a good crop."

Shelly Johnson, whose father owns Lee's Produce in the Meadow community, agrees. "The weather's been really good for it this year," Johnson said.

Strawberries thrive in warm, dry weather, Smith and Johnson said. And they need lots of sunshine.

The recent windy, cloudy and wet weather didn't do the berries much good, Smith said, but they're OK. Workers began picking berries at his farm a couple of weeks ago.

Smith's Nursery and Lee's Produce, along with Porter Farms, will all make an appearance at the Cleveland Strawberry Festival on April 23. The free festival will also feature vendors and entertainment, said Jason Free, the event's chairman.

Kids can buy wristbands for inflatable rides. And the highlight of this year's festival might be the appearance of reality-show stars from Lizard Lick Towing near Wendell.

Last year, about 13,000 people went to the festival, Free said, and he's expecting more this time.

"It grows every year," he said.