Jennifer Hopkins enjoys the annual U-pick event at Boysen Berry Farm. At left, Preston Nelson, 4, is happy to pick with his family despite breaking his leg, thanks to the wheelchair- accessible terrain.
taste like the parent plants, Boysen Fitzgerald said. “I can taste the blackberry and the raspberry and the marionberry.” The farm has 80 rows, with each U-pick group getting its own row. Originally organized that way to ensure pandemic safety, it’s turned out to be a great way to ensure each row gets picked and everyone gets plenty of berries. The U-pick method works perfectly with boysenberries since fragile berries must be handpicked and don’t all ripen at the same time, Boysen Fitzgerald said. Plus, visitors just seem to really enjoy it, she added. “It’s just so wonderful to hear kids picking the berries say, ‘Look at the big one I found!’ It’s my favorite time of year.” She was especially thrilled with the response of one of last year’s participants: A woman gave the farm’s jam and syrup as holiday gifts and in each package included a card donned with a picture of her and her husband picking the berries. “We are Christmas-card worthy!” Boysen Fitzgerald said. She said as soon as this U-pick season is over, they’ll start planning for next year—the boysenberry’s 100th anniver- sary. “We definitely have to prepare some activities to properly celebrate.”
Ellese Lloyd, 3, reaches for the perfect boysenberry. They’re ready to pick when deep purple. Below, Jeanette Boysen Fitzgerald and Tom Fitzgerald grow 2,400 heritage vines.
Linda DuBois ldubois@californiabountiful.com
MORE ONLINE Want to grow your own boysenberries? Jeanette Boysen Fitzgerald shares her tips at californiabountiful.com.
californiabountiful.com 33
Powered by FlippingBook