June 10, 2018
U-pick Tips
By Linda Dansbury

The U-Pick season has begun and I hope you are taking advantage of it. In all the years I have been fortunate to be an Anchor Run member (since the second year of its existence), the peas have never looked better - peas do not like hot temps, and especially don't like high temps followed by heavy downpours. The plants are lush, and filled with peas ready for the picking. Please use 2 hands when picking - hold the pea to be picked with one hand and the stem with the other and gently pull pea from plant. Trying to do it with one hand may result in breaking the stem or pulling it down from the trellis. After picking your allotment, put your peas in a plastic container for storage in the fridge. Leaving them in the u-pick container will result in wilted peas.

The strawberries are peaking, so get yours while you can - this is one of the most loved crops of the season, and even though Derek and Dana picked out varieties to try and spread the ripening over a period of several weeks, the berries didn't get the message. Like with the peas, use 2 hands to pick berries. Berries don't last long at my house - I keep them in the u-pick container to allow moisture to escape. They will start to "wilt" after a few days if left uncovered so if you won't be eating them right away, use a large plastic container, put a thin cloth or paper towels on the bottom to absorb any water, gently place berries in container and put the lid on it. Do not wash/rinse berries until right before eating them or you will have rotten berries (or skip this step altogether since they're completely organic).

Other tips:
Wear comfy, sturdy shoes, a large hat and sunglasses. Protect your skin with long sleeves, pants or wear sun screen. Bring your bags to the farm along with scissors/clippers. Be considerate of other members coming in behind you by picking only your allotment and being gentle with the crops.

Please bring back or reuse the U-pick containers each week.

Thank you and enjoy the harvest!