Posted: 7/17/02

'Tis the season for berries

Jessica Foster
Staff Writer

The raspberries and blueberries are full of color, flavor and juice at The Berry Patchófor a limited time only.

Kevin Edberg, managing partner of The Berry Patch, said this is prime picking time for raspberries and blueberries.

Blueberries are a star at The Berry Patch. Growing for more than 20 years at the Scandia area farm, The Berry Patch features the largest berry planting in the state of Minnesota.

The Berry Patch offers two varieties of blueberries, both of the University of Minnesota hybrid Half Highs familyóthe North Blue, big and plump, great for eating and the North Country, a smaller berry great for muffins.

Both varieties are big producers, Edberg said as he scanned the crop on a sunny summer morning recently.

ìWe move several tons (of fruit) and that makes me feel good,î he said.

He feels good about it because, after being a part of the operation for two decades, he has come to be proud of the popular picking spot.

Edberg has learned the berry business from the ground upóliterally.

He started at the farm as a sophomore in college as a self described ìflunkie.î

Over the years he became a manager and then partner of the farm which grows strawberries, raspberries and blueberries each summer.

Surveying the patch last week, Edberg said he is glad, with the overwhelming growth of Washington County, that he and his partners are able to retain an open space with The Berry Patch.

ìAn open space in Washington County is becoming a rare commodity,î Edberg said.

The blueberry season is the longest at The Berry patch. Edberg estimates the berries should be good for picking through the first two weeks in August.

Raspberries, which are more sensitive to weather changes, should be ripe for picking through the end of July.

The farm has two varieties of raspberries ripe now, the Nova and the K81-6. In the fall, there may be golden raspberries ready for harvest.

A day of picking, wandering down the rows of fresh fruit, Edberg said is a good opportunity to get in touch with nature.

ìFolks have lost the connection to agriculture. To get the taste of locally grown productóthatís a good thing,î Edberg said. ìGet it while itís good and get it from your local suppliers.î

Picking news

Pickers are welcome at the patch most sunny days and some evenings. Call the hotline at 651-433-3448 for up-to-date picking news.

ìPretty much, if the weather is decent we are going to be open almost every day for blueberries,î Edberg said. ìFor raspberries I think weíre going to be open almost every day.î

Picking containers are provided at the patch.

Pre-picked berries are available for sale but customers need to call ahead to place an order.

To reach The Berry Patch, take TH-97 east to Manning
Avenue. Turn right at Manning Avenue and take another right at Primitive at Heart. The Berry Patch is on the right hand side of the road. Look for signs along the way.

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