Many Blackberries & Early Peaches Ripe

   Many thornless blackberries are ripening and ready to pick now.  Each of our 4 different varieties of thornless blackberries has ripe berries now, and they will continue to ripen over the next 5 weeks, until early Aug.  We'll have plenty of blackberries to pick from now through July 31.

'Ouachita' our second-ripening thornless blackberry variety, has many ripe berries now.  'Natchez' thornless blackberries are still ripening, and 'Apache' and 'Triple Crown' thornless blackberries have started ripening also.

   Peach harvest started a couple days ago, and we have a good amount of peaches to sell now.  We're harvesting our two earliest varieties, 'Surecrop' and 'Early Redhaven'.  I give taste samples of both.
   'Surecrop' is semi-freestone, meaning the flesh clings to the pit a bit until it is fully soft; when fully soft it comes clean from the pit.  'Surecrop' is very juicy with a great flavor, and is great for fresh eating and freezing, but not for canning or baking pies or cobblers.  'Early Redhaven' is freestone, so the flesh comes clean from the pit.  'Early Redhaven' is less juicy with a subdued flavor, and is good for fresh eating, freezing, canning and baking pies or cobblers.

We have a good amount of 'Early Redhaven' peaches to sell now, as well as 'Surecrop' peaches.

    We grow 17 different peach varieties that provide a succession of ripening over 2 1/2 months, from now until about Sept. 10.  Each variety is ripe for about 10 days to 2 weeks.  We have 6 workers now who harvest the peaches from 7 a.m. to 12 noon, Monday to Saturday.  We sell all peaches harvested; we do not allow customers to pick peaches.
   Small amounts of peaches cost $1.20 per pound + tax.  We pick directly into 20-lb. boxes, which I then weigh to 20.0 lbs., so you save $1.00 if you buy a 20-lb. box of peaches for $23.15 + tax.  We also usually have some 2nds peaches, mostly with small bird pecks, cracks or other surface damage, which sell for $0.69 per pound + tax.

   All berries are sold pick-your-own only.  Pick-your-own raspberries cost $1.86 per pint + tax.  Thornless blackberries cost $2.55 per quart + tax, pick-your-own.
   We provide containers, and just ask that you return the containers to us for reuse on your next trip to Brenda's Berries.  We also appreciate it if you can bring some cardboard flats, such as those used for 6-packs of energy drinks or beer, to place your quarts and/or pints of berries in to bring home.  Chetopa Foods saves cardboard flats for us, which we very much appreciate, but we go through thousands of boxes and are now running extremely low on the size that holds 6 quarts of blackberries.
   Come for peaches and/or berries during our open hours for summer: Mon. to Sat. 7:30 a.m. to 12 noon & 7 to 9 p.m., & Sundays 7 to 9 p.m. only.  We're closed Sunday mornings for church (as we are year-round), and from June 1 to Aug. 31 we're closed from 12 noon to 7 p.m. due to high heat.  (Please arrive at a time that allows you enough time to finish picking by our closing time.  Thanks.)  We're open as usual on July 4.
   For payment, we accept cash or checks; NO debit cards or credit cards.  Please bring your checkbook or enough cash to cover what you'll buy.

Many Purple Raspberries Ripe Now

   Many purple raspberries are ripe now.  Purple raspberries are hybrids between red and black raspberries and exhibit hybrid vigor, so produce large crops of large berries that are bigger than the berries of red or black raspberries.  Purple raspberries have their own unique taste; we let customers taste a sample of all the raspberries that they'll pick.

Purple raspberries are in their heaviest ripening time now, so there are many to pick.

   More purple raspberries will ripen for the next 3 weeks or so, but for fast picking, come this week if you can to pick purple raspberries.  We also still have some red and black raspberries to pick, but these are much less numerous than they were 2 weeks ago, so take longer to pick now.
   Thornless blackberries have been heavily picked over the last 5 days, since it stopped raining.  Over 900 quarts of blackberries were picked from June 17 to 22, from just 3 1/2 rows of our earliest thornless blackberry variety, 'Natchez'.  Our 4 different varieties of thornless blackberries will continue to ripen over the next 6 weeks, until early Aug., and we'll have plenty of blackberries to pick from July 4 to 31.  If you want to pick blackberries but not raspberries, you might wait a week or two to come pick blackberries.

'Natchez' blackberries have been heavily picked over the last 5 days, so few are ripe now.  Our 4 different varieties of thornless blackberries will continue to ripen over the next 6 weeks, and we'll have plenty of blackberries to pick from July 4 to 31.

   All berries are sold pick-your-own only.  We provide containers, and just ask that you return the containers to us for reuse on your next trip to Brenda's Berries.  Pick-your-own raspberries cost $1.86 per pint + tax.  Thornless blackberries cost $2.55 per quart + tax, pick-your-own.
   Come during our open hours for summer: Mon. to Sat. 7:30 a.m. to 12 noon & 7 to 9 p.m., & Sundays 7 to 9 p.m. only.  We're closed Sunday mornings for church (as we are year-round), and from June 1 to Aug. 31 we're closed from 12 noon to 7 p.m. due to high heat.  (Please arrive at a time that allows you enough time to finish picking by our closing time.  Thanks.)
   Peaches will start ripening until about July 1.  We grow 17 different peach varieties that provide a succession of ripening over 2 1/2 months.  Peach harvest goes until about Sept. 10, and our heaviest time for peaches is from about July 20 to Aug. 31.  We're looking for a peach harvest of 35,000 to 36,000 pounds this summer.
   Once peaches start, small amounts of peaches cost $1.20 per pound + tax.  We pick directly into 20-lb. boxes, which I then weigh to 20.0 lbs., so you save $1.00 if you buy a 20-lb. box of peaches for $23.15 + tax.  We also usually have some 2nds peaches, mostly with small bird pecks or other surface damage, which sell for $0.65 per pound + tax.
   You do not need an appointment from June 1 to Aug. 31; just come during our open hours.  However, many people typically come on July 1, 2, and 3 (the start of peach season and preparing for July 4), so if you want peaches one of those days, phone 620-597-2450 or e-mail a couple days ahead to order them.
   For payment, we accept cash or checks; NO debit cards or credit cards.  Please bring your checkbook or enough cash to cover what you'll buy.

Many 'Natchez' Thornless Blackberries & Raspberries Ripe

   Many 'Natchez' thornless blackberries are ripe now. 145 quarts of blackberries were picked Wed. June 17.  'Natchez' produces very large crops of huge blackberries, and will continue ripening for the next 3 weeks.  Our four different varieties of thornless blackberries will continue to ripen over the next 7 weeks, until early Aug.

'Natchez' produces very large crops of huge blackberries, so there are many to pick.  You can fill a quart in 5 minutes or less.

   Many red raspberries and black raspberries are still ripe.  Both will continue to ripen for the next 2 weeks or so, but for easy picking in the next week.  We'll have many purple raspberries to pick for the next 4 weeks or so.
   Come during our open hours for summer: Mon. to Sat. 7:30 a.m. to 12 noon & 7 to 9 p.m., & Sundays 7 to 9 p.m. only.  We're closed Sunday mornings for church (as we are year-round), and from June 1 to Aug. 31 we're closed from 12 noon to 7 p.m. due to high heat.  (Please arrive at a time that allows you enough time to finish picking by our closing time.  Thanks.)
   You do not need an appointment from June 1 to Aug. 31; just come during our open hours.  There should be a break in the rain here from Fri. June 19 on.  (Check the radar for 4.5 miles east of Chetopa, KS before you come if you want to minimize chances of getting wet.)  We got 5.5 inches of rain over the past few days, so rubber boots or other footwear you don't mind getting wet is a good idea.

Lindsey Kling picked 18 quarts of 'Natchez' blackberries in about 45 minutes.  The Klings also picked 36 pints of purple raspberries and red raspberries.

   All berries are sold pick-your-own only.  Pick-your-own raspberries cost $1.86 per pint + tax.  Thornless blackberries cost $2.55 per quart + tax, pick-your-own.
   For payment, we accept cash or checks; NO debit cards or credit cards.  Please bring your checkbook or enough cash to cover what you'll pick.
   Peaches will not start ripening until about June 28 or 30.  We'll have harvested peaches for sale from July 1 to about Sept. 15, with the most ripe from about July 20 to Aug. 31.
   

Many Berries, Some Plumcots Ripe Now

   We have plenty of red raspberries and black raspberries to pick now.  Both will continue to ripen for the next 2 weeks or so, but for easy picking come within the next week.  We got 2.5 inches of rain Fri. evening June 12 into Sat. morning, so rubber boots or other footwear you don't mind getting wet is a good idea.  More rain is likely Mon., Tues. and Wed., so come when there's a break in the rain during our open hours for summer: Mon. to Sat. 7:30 a.m. to 12 noon and 7 to 9 p.m., and Sundays 7 to 9 p.m. only.

Kim Lamb (left) and Sydney (right) picked black raspberries with Kim's mom on Sat. evening June 13.  They also picked red raspberries and purple raspberries. Weather was very nice that evening despite heavy rains that morning.

   We'll have many purple raspberries to pick for the next month.  Our four different varieties of thornless blackberries will continue to ripen over the next 7 weeks, until early Aug.
   All berries are sold pick-your-own only.  Pick-your-own raspberries cost $1.86 per pint + tax.  Thornless blackberries cost $2.55 per quart + tax, pick-your-own.
   Those who live nearby may just come during our open hours.  It's a good idea to call 620-597-2450 a day or so ahead before driving a distance, and leave a message saying when you're planning to come, and which types of berries you want to pick.  If you leave your phone number, I can call you if it's going to rain here that day, to reschedule.
   I just started harvesting plumcots on Fri. June 12, harvested most of them on Sat., and will harvest more over the next 3 days or so.  Plumcots are 3/4 Japanese plum and 1/4 apricot, with a delicious sweet flavor.  I give taste samples to those who are here picking berries, and most customers who try them buy some plumcots also. Plumcots will be limited this year, since they were heavily thinned by the April 4 frost.  Call 620-597-2450 to order plumcots.

Plumcots are 3/4 Japanese plum and 1/4 apricot, with a delicious sweet flavor.  I harvest plumcots into quarts and sell them by the pound.  The entire plumcot crop this year will be only about 65 lbs. (40 quarts), and 6.35 lbs. (4 quarts) have already sold.

   Our earliest peach varieties will not start ripening until about July 1.  We grow 17 different peach varieties that provide a succession of ripening over 2 1/2 months.  Peach harvest goes until about Sept. 10, and our heaviest time for peaches is from about July 20 to Aug. 31. We're looking for a peach harvest of 35,000 to 36,000 pounds this summer.

Many Berries Ripe

   Red raspberries are now ripening in huge quantity, and have excellent quality.  Black raspberries just started on June 8, and have now gotten numerous.  Purple raspberries just started on June 10, and will be most plentiful from June 15 to July 5 or so.

Red raspberries are now ripening in huge quantity, so there are many to pick.

   Our earliest thornless blackberry variety, 'Natchez', has just started.  'Natchez' produces very large crops of huge blackberries, so there are many to pick already.  'Natchez' will continue ripening for the next 3 to 4 weeks.

'Natchez' produces very large crops of huge blackberries, and there are many to pick already.

   All berries are sold pick-your-own only.  Pick-your-own raspberries cost $1.86 per pint + tax.  Thornless blackberries cost $2.55 per quart + tax, pick-your-own.

Black raspberries have now gotten numerous. The Drakes from Broken Arrow, OK picked 24 pints of black raspberries this morning, plus 5 pints of red and purple raspberries.

   We'll have plenty of red raspberries and black raspberries to pick for the next 2 to 3 weeks, and many purple raspberries to pick for the next month.  Our four different varieties of thornless blackberries will continue to ripen over the next 8 weeks, until early Aug.
   From June 1 to Aug. 31, we're open our summer hours: Mon. to Sat. 7:30 a.m. to 12 noon and 7 to 9 p.m., and Sundays 7 to 9 p.m. only.  We're closed Sunday mornings for church (as we are year-round), and from June 1 to Aug. 31 we're closed from 12 noon to 7 p.m. due to high heat.
   Those who live nearby may just come during our open hours.  It's a good idea to call 620-597-2450 a day or so ahead before driving a distance, and leave a message saying when you're planning to come, and which types of berries you want to pick.  If you leave your phone number, I can call you if it's going to rain here that day, to reschedule.

Many Red Raspberries, Black & Purple Raspberries Starting

   Red raspberries are still ripening in quantity, and have excellent quality.  Black raspberries will start about June 8, and purple raspberries will start about June 10.

Black raspberries start off white, then turn orange, then red, then purple, and finally turn black when ripe.  Customers may pick black raspberries from about June 8 to July 4.

  Raspberries, like all our berries, are sold pick-your-own only.  Pick-your-own raspberries cost $1.86 per pint + tax.

Nolan Haraughty (left), Jim Nave (center), Melissa Keith (far right) and others picked many red raspberries today.

   From June 1 to Aug. 31, we're open our summer hours: Mon. to Sat. 7:30 a.m. to 12 noon and 7 to 9 p.m., and Sundays 7 to 9 p.m. only.  We're closed Sunday mornings for church (as we are year-round), and from June 1 to Aug. 31 we're closed from 12 noon to 7 p.m. due to high heat.

Purple raspberries start off white, then turn pink, then red, and finally turn purple when ripe.  Customers may pick purple raspberries from about June 10 to July 10.

   We'll have plenty of red raspberries and some black raspberries to pick for the next 3 weeks, and many purple raspberries to pick for the next month.  It's a good idea to call 620-597-2450 a day or so ahead before driving a distance, and let me know when you're planning to come.  Some days we already have many customers coming, and on those days, ripe raspberries get hard to find by mid-morning.  So I can suggest another day if we already have several groups coming on the day you've chosen.

McKinzie Clark (left), Luke Laws (right), our other workers and I are very busy now pruning the primocanes of the blackberry plants, and getting them behind the fruiting canes (floricanes) so customers can see the berries.

   Thornless blackberries will start about June 18 or 20.  Our workers and I are very busy now pruning the primocanes of the blackberry plants, and getting them behind the fruiting canes (floricanes) so customers can see the berries.  Once they're ripe, blackberries are also sold pick-your-own only, for $2.55 per quart + tax.
   Ripening times for all our fruits are listed in the sidebar at left.