One sure fire sign of Summer in Maine, that thankfully hasn't been cancelled because of Covid-19, is Strawberry Season! I have loads of memories from childhood of picking juicy, ripe, red berries with my family and driving home in the back of a van, holding on to those green quart containers with my strawberry stained fingers. I can almost smell the sweet fragrance of strawberry rhubarb pie cooking. That's summer to me.

I'm happy to pass along the news that you'll be able to make some of your own summer strawberry memories starting this week, as farms across the state start to open for Strawberry Season!

According to a post on their Facebook Page, Treworgy's Family Orchard will be open for Strawberry Picking Season tomorrow (Wednesday) morning at 8AM. They say they'll stay open till 4PM, unless they're picked out for the day, in which case they'll close for the afternoon. They recommend checking in on their Facebook Page to find out about times and such.

They've also established some new safety guidelines to follow, in the wake of Covid-19, which can be found on their website under a special Covid-19 Section. While patrons don't have to wear a mask (staff will be wearing them, but it's not mandatory for pickers) Treworgy's is asking that there be no more than one family per aisle and that folks don't hop rows "unless you're actually a rabbit." The strawberries won't be weighed this year, either, to cut down on their handling. All berries will be sold by the quart.

Management says they are very excited to see everyone this year, and hopes people will come out, pick some berries, and "enjoy the great outdoors!"

Meanwhile over at RJ Hall's Family Farm (formerly Tate's Strawberry Farm) they are preparing to open for their season in a week or so.

"We are anticipating opening for U-Pick in about 10-14 days, but will update the page when we have a definite date that we’ll be open. We’ll also be offering pre-picked berries for sale here at the farm this year. Another announcement this year we will be accepting debit/credit cards as well as cash or checks."

So get out and make some sweet summer memories by doing some strawberry picking this month!

For a list of Pick-your-own strawberry farms near you, here's a good site.

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