What to Know About Picking Strawberries in South Carolina’s Piedmont
Q&A with Cherry Place Farm’s Bailey Westbrook Edwards
U-pick season is here, and strawberries are ripe and ready to be tossed in a basket. Before you head out for a day of harvesting, Bailey Westbrook Edwards of Cherry Place Farm in York County has a few tips and tricks to share.
What Makes the Best Strawberry?
So many factors go into the flavor of a strawberry. The variety of the plant makes a huge difference. The pendulum swings from flavor to shelf-life. Locally grown strawberries usually taste better than grocery store berries because they sacrifice a longer shelf-life for better flavor since our berries are not shipped. Grocery store berries have to keep longer and therefore sacrifice flavor to make sure the berries will hold up for the duration of their travels.
The weather conditions also play into the flavor of the berry. A rainy spring can affect flavor. But —most importantly—I would say is the attention they’re given. Cherry Place Farm berries are always “Grown with Love,” and that makes a difference.
How Can You Spot a Ripe, Ready-to-Eat Strawberry?
You are always looking for a bright, deep red color. Fun fact: Strawberries do not continue to ripen once picked. Whereas a banana will ripen on your counter, if you pick a green strawberry it will remain green.
What’s Your Favorite Strawberry Recipe?
Although a little labor-intensive, one recipe always makes it to our table: Southern Living’s Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Cheesecake. Pro-tip: Freeze a bag of strawberries this spring and pull them out to make a cheesecake for Valentine’s Day; this is a tradition in our household.
What’s Your Favorite Part About Picking Strawberries?
My favorite part of picking strawberries is the atmosphere. There is an excitement in the springtime. We’ve all been antsy through the winter and are so excited to see the sunshine, feel warmer temps and kick off our growing season. The strawberry patch brings a lot of families to the farm, and getting to see the memories being made is an honor.
What is the Strawberry Growing Process Like?
The growing process is almost year-round. Throughout July and August, we prep the fields. If any soil amendments are needed (replenishing nutrients and such), we address that, as well as plow and till to get the soil ready to form beds.
In September, the beds are created with an implement that forms beds, lays irrigation drip tape, fumigates the soil (eradicating any pests and soil diseases), and lays the plastic mulch (keeps moisture in the beds and relieves weed pressure). The plants go into the ground in October. They go dormant through the winter and begin to “wake up” around Valentine’s Day.
Most of the growth happens between Valentine’s and Easter, which then takes us to harvest in April, May and early June, depending on the weather. At that point it’s time to clean up, let the soil rest and start over.
How Can People Pick Berries at Cherry Place Farm this Year?
We will kick off our season on Saturday, April 20 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and close the season on June 8th and 9th with the South Carolina Ag & Art Tour. We plan to be open for U-pick during that time frame on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. As always, this can change due to weather and availability of ripe berries, so always please check our social media pages before heading our way!