Traditionally, Jones Family Farms is ramping up their strawberry season preparation the beginning of June to open a week or two into the month. This year, Mother Nature has helped to break tradition. Due to the very warm weather Connecticut has experienced this spring, the strawberries are already ripe for the picking.
“In my 40 plus years of strawberry harvesting, I cannot recall being open in May. To call this unusual is an understatement,” said Terry Jones, 5th generation farmer. “The fact that we had people picking here last Saturday (May 29th) really proves how adventurous the weather has been for us this year. The season is about two or three weeks ahead of our usual start time and that means it will most likely end early on us too. We’re going to be open full days starting Wednesday June 2nd.”
According to the CT Department of Agriculture: “Approximately 220 acres in Connecticut are dedicated to strawberries producing some 2.6 million pounds of fruit annually. The season lasts but a few weeks, however, so residents are encouraged to enjoy them while they are here.”
Jones Family Farms invited the public to harvest their own strawberries on the morning of Saturday May 29th for a special sneak preview. Many guests came to sample the early season fruit and according to the Jones Facebook page (facebook.com/JonesFamilyFarms), had great things to say about it. “Sneak Peak this morning was awesome - even the lighter colored berries were surprisingly sweet!” said Donna P. a Jones Facebook fan and Jodi K. chimed in with; “The picking was great. We picked over 11 pounds and had a great time.”
It has not only been heat that has posed issues to farmers at Jones and in the area. “Another big battle for us were the May freezes and frosts,” said Jamie Jones – 6th generation farmer and the Jones winemaker. “We use irrigation to help keep the berries and grapes safe during the cold nights and we stayed up all night, many nights, in order to be sure we had a crop to offer to our guests.”
The 2010 theme, spotlighted at the summer strawberry and blueberry harvest locations at Jones Family Farms, is a celebration of the fruits of the Earth. Apparently, Mother Nature wanted the celebration bumped up on everyone’s calendars this year. “We are here, the berries are here, we just hope our friends of the farm show up too,” said Keith Padin - Marketing and Hospitality Director. “I’ve had quite a few samples and trust me, if you’re not getting these berries, you’re missing out!”
Jones Family Farms is located in Shelton, Connecticut, off Route 110 - 5 miles North of Shelton Center and 2 miles south of the junction of Route 110 and 111 in Monroe. Normal picking hours for strawberry picking allows guests to enter the fields Mon – Sat from 8am till 5:30pm and Sundays from 8am to 12pm. For daily picking locations and other information call the Farmer Jones Hot Line – (203) 929-8425 or visit the Jones website at: JonesFamilyFarms.com.
Press interested in following up on this story can reach us at press@jonesfamilyfarms.com