Finding strawberries seems to be an ever-elusive springtime goal of mine. No other fruit causes me to panic when I can't get them because of weather or farm issues or my own busy-ness. Strawberries are typically my first local preserves of the season, the turning point when empty jars become full again. This year was no exception. My favorite farm from last year, Bird's Haven, had no u-pick berries available due to deer pressure while work and family distractions delayed finding a new farm. Our own patch produced well but only enough for a daily handful. I found myself fixated on picking strawberries once again.

Alex, Lil, and I were finally able to find a morning to visit a highly-recommended farm new to us. Jerry's Berries is located south east of Columbus in Baltimore, Ohio, a forty minute drive from our homestead.

What makes Jerry's unique among local farms is the number of varieties. Each are labeled and pickers are encouraged to taste the rows to find their favorite. Our family preferred NorthEaster and Sparkle. Both of these kinds are small but highly flavorful, making them worth the extra time spent picking and processing.

Jerry's will provide a basket or you can bring your own to weigh before picking. Berries are $1.90 per pound. The entire berry patch is contained in a tall deer fence, which conveniently keeps kids close too. Some varieties were picked over but we (two adults and a child more interested in her stuffed cat than filling a basket) were able to gather 15.75 pounds in 90 minutes.

The farm claims to use no pesticides and follow natural practices; indeed their plants appear naturally healthy. Weeds and pollinator insects are abundant but not so much as to be a problem to u-pickers. Jerry shared that they do use chemical fertilizers to replace nutrient loss. He expects the farm to have berries for another couple weeks - the website is updated daily with picking conditions.

Our opinion is that Jerry's Berries is simple and lovely. Rows are mulched generously with straw, making the hunt for small, flavorful berries pleasant. There are no items for sale other than u-pick berries, something I very much appreciate. No mother who just sweated over 10 pounds of sweet, juicy berries should have to negotiate about junk food while settling up with the farmer.

Now that my first fruit of the year are in the pantry, I can release the panicky feeling. Fresh fruit and vegetables are more abundant every day and soon all the empty jars will be filled again.

Jerry's Berries - www.jerrysberries.com

2849 Basil Western Rd. Baltimore Ohio 43105 USA Hours of operation: Monday - Friday, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm; Saturday, 10:00 am to 8:00 pm; Sundays, 11:00 am to 8:00 pm Phone: 740-862-8819 or 740-862-8481

Is there any better way to start than day than picking fat, sweet blueberries on a lovely farm? Lil, my in-laws, and myself spent the morning doing just that at Berryfield Farms yesterday. Located near Centerburg, Ohio, a 40 minute drive from our Clintonville home, Berryfield is an authentic, non-agritainment farm. Among the farm's rolling hills lie three acres of well-established blueberry bushes. Ripe Bluecrop and Blueray fruits loaded the branches. A third variety, Elliott, will be ready to pick soon.

With ample space between rows, heavily fruited bushes, and bird songs, picking was pleasant and easy. Berryfield provides bag-lined buckets that hold a little more than five pounds when full. In a leisurely hour and a half, Lil and I were able to pick twelve pounds.

Berryfield Farms uses netting to deter the biggest pest to blueberries: bird theft. They do not use chemicals and support a thriving community of pollinating insects, diverse ground cover, and wildlife.

Speaking of pollinators, beehives on the property provide honey available in the darling shack filled with vintage furniture where guests check in and out. A few farm-produced items like birdhouses are also for sale. The grandsons of the owners provide herbal iced tea and real juice lemonade with ice for $1 per cup, welcome thirst quenchers after hot picking.

For the 2012 season, berries cost $2.85/pound payable by cash or check. They are sold pre-picked for $6/pint at the Sunbury Farmers' Market Saturday mornings.

The farm is open from 8 am - 12 pm Monday through Friday, Saturdays 8 am - 5 pm and Sundays 10 am - 4 pm. If mother nature cooperates, the growers expect berries to last another four weeks this year, or until approximately the fourth week of July.

If you go:

Heed their instructions to wear hats, stay hydrated, walk around the irrigation hoses, ignore the bees, and have fun.
Bring cash or a check as credit cards are not accepted.
Go early to enjoy picking before the heat of the day.
Be prepared to be charmed by the sweet farm dogs.

Berryfield Farms 6424 Township Road 199 Centerburg, Ohio 43011 740-625-7278

Blueberry Bonus

Live on the west side of the city? I recommend Berryhill Farm in Xenia, my review here.

My berry recipes: jam, berry tartlets, liqueur or freezing.

Prepare children with our favorite blueberry books.