Could spring get any springier out there? That means it's almost time for PYO strawberries, followed by peaches, muscadines and right on through apples and pumpkins.
If you're a farmer in Western or Piedmont N.C. with a Pick Your Own patch, please email your information to me at kpurvis@charlotteobserver.com Include a daytime number where I can reach you, picking hours, crops and prices if you have them.
If you're looking for a place to pick your own food, stay tuned. Our annual list will go up online and in print on April 27.
I can't wait!!
ReplyDeleteKathleen, can you address in your article (or on the blog) the issue of pesticides and fungicides and local produce? We are blessed to live in a region with fresh strawberries and peaches and my kids eat them both like candy during the appropriate seasons. However, they are both on the EWG's "Dirty Dozen" for produce (peaches are #1 as the worst and strawberries are #6). I called Patterson last year during the season and asked about this and was told that their strawberries are definitely not organic (which I knew), but they try to limit pesticides and fungicides when possible. That wasn't really a satisfactory answer to me, although my kids ate bushels of their produce anyway. Any thoughts on this? In the great local vs. organic guessing game, I usually try to go local first, except in the case of the dirty dozen where I go organic first. Clear as mud, right?
ReplyDeleteThanks so much,
autumn
For all of you strawberry lovers out there - the N.C. Strawberry Project is working to create a better North Carolina berry and extend the growing season!
ReplyDeleteYou can find more information and unique, healthy strawberry recipes on our website, www.ncmarketready.org, or facebook page, facebook.com/ncstrawberryproject
The project is a joint partnership between N.C. State's Plants for Human Health Institute at the N.C. Research Campus in Kannapolis and Johnson & Wales University in Charlotte.