The strawberries are ripe and ready to pick

Nothing says summer more than a bowl of ripe, red strawberries.

It's an annual tradition for many families, who converge on local farms to pluck the tasty berries straight from the field.

Area farms are now open and welcome strawberry fans to visit.

The sprawling fields at Sunnycrest Farm in Londonderry offers pick-your-own strawberry action every day through the season.

This year's crop so far is a good one, according to owner Dan Hicks. Picking at his farm on High Range Road began last week.

"It looks really good right now," Hicks said.

The berries are a good size this season. Hicks said he has three large strawberry fields right now — more than 4 acres for pick-your-own customers.

Prices have remained steady.

Sunnycrest offers early-, mid- and late-season berry choices, Hicks said.

He said he hopes the strawberry season lasts until blueberry and cherry picking begin.

Cooler temperatures this year have slowed the season a bit.

"It should go into July," he said.

Wayne Elwood of Elwood Farms said official strawberry season began Saturday at his farm with 2 acres of berries ready for customers to pick.

"The crop looks great," he said.

He anticipates the season going for about three weeks with picking times offered seven days a week.

"Or until we're picked out," he said. "I'll put a sign up."

J&F Farm in Derry also has a productive berry crop and runs a pick-your-own business as well as selling containers of berries at the Route 102 farm stand.

Pick-you-own is available every day from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. On Tuesdays, people can pick up to 7:30 p.m. during the farm stand's Cruise Night.

Prices are $2.25 per pound. The farm stand also sells containers of the berries at $6 per quart and $4 per pint.

With three big fields planted this year, the J&F Farm family hopes the crop is a good one.

"We were off to a slow start with the rain," Melissa Ferdinando Dolloff said.

But she said the berries are now looking good and the farm expects a lot of people to come out and enjoy this early summer tradition.

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Pick your own

J&F Farm

Route 102, Derry

437-0535

Daily, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

$2.25 per pound

Sunnycrest Farms

59 High Range Road, Londonderry

432-9652

Daily, 7 a.m. to noon

$2.25 per pound

Elwood Orchards

54 Elwood Road, Londonderry

434-5600

Daily 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

$2.25 per pound