WAUPACA COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A check of the calendar indicates summer is here, and looking at many strawberry fields in the area means the season has arrived.
After a short wagon ride at the 28-acre site east of Clintonville, people unload and fan out into assigned rows, ready to go. The season for pick-your-own strawberries at Glendale Farms opened on Monday.
“One of our busiest first days ever,” said Steve Kluth, Glendale Farms Owner. “It was a great day. A lot of ripe berries.”
Kluth says it’s been very dry in the area, but he waters his fields every few days.
“I’ve been irrigating a lot. I know Mother Nature’s rain is better, but we do what we do to keep them going. So, hopefully, in a few more days, we get some rain. But I’ve been irrigating, so the crop looks excellent.”
On Tuesday, people comb the rows, looking for that perfect pick. Fancy Paiser is picking with her son Renlee Paiser.
“So far, these strawberries are huge this year. For some reason, last year was a little bit smaller, but I feel like they must have got enough water just at the right time.”
“I’ve been watching when they’re going to open,” said Sandy Young. “I like them when they’re fresh.”
Young says red, ripe berries are worth the work. But are they better than those from the grocery store?
“Oh yeah, definitely. A lot better. They don’t ripen in the truck, they get ripened on the vine. Much sweeter berries.”
Paiser and her son agree.
Even the owner says after 45 seasons, picking and eating strawberries go hand-in-hand.
“I eat plenty, but the funny thing is, I don’t really eat them in the house. I eat them out here,” said Kluth. “So, I get my fill of them.”
Is is OK to do a little sampling?
“Oh, certainly, certainly. That’s part of the process,” he said. “To see all the smiles on everybody’s face, that’s why I’m here.”
The season at Glendale Farms typically lasts about three weeks. The owner says it’s a good idea to call ahead for conditions and availability before heading out to pick.
