Red, Black and Blues!

Nova Raspberries 6.11.18

Reds are In

The raspberries look like the sun has brought them out of their green state.  We need more rain and lots of water; I believe we're experiencing a drought right now.  However, you can see from the picture that they're still trying to give us a crop.

Not only are the Nova raspberries ripe, the Royalty are just beginning.  I'm not sure if you've seen the purple berries that look like a flour de lis, but you can tell that they are true "royalty" when you make the connection!  They are Les' favorite raspberry.  He thinks they taste like Dr Pepper.

We also have a berry that is Burgundy when ripe that is called a Wye berry.  I'm not sure if I've spelled that correctly, but it's supposed to be a cross between a raspberry and a blackberry.  They're pretty yummy as well and about as big as a large blackberry.  Just make sure they're dark Burgundy when picked!

Natchez Blackberries

Blacks Begin!

Tomorrow, June 12th, will be our first picking of the blackberries.  Last year we had a couple of different varieties of blackberries, but Les took out the Ouachita blackberries and only has the Natchez now.  They are good producers and are really large sweet berries.

We only have these berries in our top patch - up the hill behind our house, so head up the hill if you want to pick the blacks.

I don't expect there will be that many gallons ready to pick tomorrow.  You can see there are more red than black.  However, we have 3 long rows of the blackberries so there will be at least 6 gallons, I would imagine.

Blues Abound!

I didn't take a picture of the blueberries this morning, but nearly all of our varieties have blue on them today.  I think even the Ozark Blue had a couple of blues here and there on them; they finish up our season around July 4th to 10th.  So, there should be good picking this week in a variety of places.  

The Duke variety is close to finished, but whatever is left on this variety should be looking really blue.  Their berries decline in size with each picking, so they are small at this stage, but would make great muffin berries.

If you have a day to come out and feel the sun, the breeze, and hear the cries of birds flying by, head on out!  Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, 7 to noon is the plan!  As you pick you can think with me - "God is good.  All the time!"  We are so blessed to enjoy the blessings of life on the farm.  See you soon!