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Farmers say recent rain hasn’t put a damper on what they predict will be a strong strawberry season.
“The crop is looking really good,” said Tom Harbinson, facilities and infrastructure manager for the farm. “The early season variety is coming on strong.
“The weather has been very good for the pollinators — the bees and other pollinators.”
With rain expected, the fields will not be open for picking Friday. Harbinson suggested those hoping to snap up some of the juicy, red treats should call Farmer Jones Crop Line — 203-929-8425 — to check on picking conditions for the rest of the weekend.
Jones Family Farm first started planting strawberry vines at the 400-acre farm 50 years ago. Strawberries are available at both Pumpkinseed Hill, 120 Beardsley Road, and Valley Farm, 555 Walnut Tree Hill Road, which is closer to the farm’s winery and Christmas tree operation. Call the Crop Line for up-to-date information on where guests will be picking on any given day.
Normal picking hours are 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. until noon on Sundays. Jones Winery is also open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.
The strawberry season usually runs from early June through early July, when the blueberries become ready for picking.
Berries are $3.99 if you pick less than eight pounds, discounted to $2.79 a pound for more than eight pounds.
“It’s just a beautiful day and we’ve got a lot of people here,” Harbinson said of the first crop of pickers Thursday. “Everybody looks forward to that freshness.”
For more information on the farm, picking seasons and the winery, visit Jones Family Farms’ website.
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