WAUPACA COUNTY (WTAQ- WLUK) – It’s a sure sign summer has arrived.
The strawberry season is a little late, but underway, in many parts of Northeast Wisconsin, including Glendale Farms near Clintonville, where there seemed to be just as much tasting going on as picking.
“We’re just picking some beautiful berries. It looks gorgeous, lots to choose from,” said Jon Viehland, Black Creek.
Jon Viehland and his wife Lori Viehland filled their cardboard containers Wednesday morning.
“We wanted to be here opening day to get the sweetest berries. And it gave us something to do with our son and his best friend,” said Lori Viehland, Black Creek.
Glendale Farms typically opens the strawberry fields by the middle of June, but the owner says a cool, wet spring pushed back picking.
“Surprising enough with the bad weather, it’s probably what I’m looking at now, is probably one of the best crops I’ve had in years,” said Steve Kluth, Glendale Farms Owner.
Kluth says the berries were slow to blossom, but the recent warm up kicked the season into gear.
“It’s probably one of the busiest opening days we’ve ever had. Because it’s like we didn’t catch anybody by surprise. You open early,you catch people by surprise. This year, there’s no surprise. They’re all patiently waiting,” he said.
Some people finished picking quickly.
“I’m going to freeze some. I’m going to eat some. And I’ll probably dry some for the grandchildren to eat later,” said Audrey Kessen, Tigerton.
“Very nice. Very nice berries. I can hardly wait to get to pluck the tops out, and put some on ice cream,” said Cliff Kessen, Tigerton.
The strawberry season typically lasts about three or four weeks.
