Pruning Berry Bushes, Harvesting Asparagus

   Thornless blackberry bushes are blooming now.  One of our workers, Andrew Coberley, and I have been busy pruning them whenever it's not raining.  Andrew just graduated as co-valedictorian from Columbus High School last Sat. May 15.  Our other workers should join us after Baxter Springs High School and Chetopa High School finish on May 20.

Andrew Coberley used long-handled loppers to remove the dead canes that bore last year's crop from 'Apache' thornless blackberry bushes.

   Our first pick-your-own crop, raspberries, should start ripening about June 1, when our Summer Open Hours start (see sidebar at left).  Pick-your-own thornless blackberries should start about June 18.  Sales dates for all our crops are listed in the sidebar at left under Crop Sales Seasons. That also tells which crops are sold pick-your-own and which crops are sold harvested.

   We still have many harvested 'Enterprise' and 'Gold Rush' apples for sale for the next few weeks, and some 'Sundance' apples.  Harvested apples cost $1.30 per pound + sales tax.  A 20-pound box costs $25.00 + sales tax, so you save $1.00 by buying 20 pounds.  I pack apples into 2 plastic bags lining the boxes, and have some mixed boxes with 2 different kinds of apples, one bag of each variety.

We still have many harvested 'Enterprise' (red apple at left) and 'Gold Rush' (yellow apple at right) apples for sale for the next few weeks.

   We also have some harvested 2nds apples, which cost $0.93 per pound + sales tax.  These have hail damage, cracks, or other surface damage, and are great for cutting into slices, in salads, or for cooking, baking or preserving.  If you buy 40 pounds (2 boxes) or more of 2nds apples for one household, the price goes down to just $0.88 per pound + sales tax, so $35.20 + sales tax for 40 pounds of 2nds apples.

   Asparagus is still growing well, and I'm now harvesting it 2 to 3 times per day.  I break each spear where it snaps off easily, so almost the entire spear is tender and usable.  We'll have some asparagus for sale for the next 2 weeks or so, until late May or early June.  Asparagus is limited so you do need to phone 620-597-2450 a day or two ahead and order it.  Asparagus is still just $2.78 per pound + tax, harvested.

We have lots of asparagus for sale now, and will have some for the next 2 weeks or so.

   Through May 31, we're open by appointment, which means to phone 620-597-2450 a day ahead and leave a message on our answering machine with your name, day and time you'll come, and what you want to buy.  I'll return your call after dark to confirm your appointment.

   For payment, we accept cash and checks (from any state), but NO credit cards or debit cards.  We have no phone line to the sales building, and no card reader.  Please bring your checkbook or enough cash to cover the amount you want to buy.  Thanks.

   The Kansas Highway Department is replacing 3 bridges on Highway 166 east of Chetopa, KS, and work is expected to take 18 months.  They've installed 3 stoplights and have one-lane traffic open, so it now takes about 15 minutes instead of 5 minutes to drive the 4.5 miles from Chetopa to our farm if you go on Highway 166.

   Those coming here from from the northwest can save time by heading east on Highway 160 from Oswego, KS for 5.0 miles to Hallowell.  Just after you pass Angelo's Deli on your left, turn right (south) onto 90th St., and continue south for 10.0 miles on this paved road.  At the stop sign, turn right onto Highway 166, go just 0.5 miles west, then turn left onto 95th St. at the sign for Brenda's Berries.

   Those coming here from from the east, northeast or southeast can follow your usual route here.  Those coming here from from the southwest should come up through Miami, OK rather than through Welch, OK and Chetopa, KS.