Strawberries ripe for pickin’ at Potters Road Berries

Nellie Verbruggen holds a ‘flat’ of strawberries at Potters Road Berries east of Tillsonburg. (Chris Abbott Photo)

Chris Abbott, Post Correspondent

The pick-your-own strawberries season at Potters Road Berries is winding down this week.

“It started on time – June 8th was our first day opening,” said Nellie Verbruggen, who operates Potters Road Berries with her husband Rick Verbruggen and family east of Tillsonburg. “Quantity-wise, it’s been very good.”

Usually they have a three-week season, which means it should be wrapping up by June 28-29. You can stop in at 145476 Potters Road to buy fresh-picked strawberries by the ‘quart’ or ‘flat.’ Or save some money and pick your own.

“It’s a little bit cheaper to pick-your-own versus buying. It’s been very steady this year – there’s a good amount of cars coming in… picking or buying.”

Nellie noted they have good support from local grocery stores selling their products, including Metro and Sobeys in Tillsonburg.

“Very good response this year.”

If you miss the pick-your-own, you can purchase ever-bearing strawberries, available until October. They also sell frozen berries.

With a warmer spring last year, the 2024 strawberry crop was early, opening June 3rd and wrapping up June 22-23. This spring, however, they had to irrigate 4-5 times to prevent blossoms from freezing on colder mornings.

“It just depends on the weather,” Nellie said. “It was a cold, cold spring.”

Raspberry season at Potters Road Berries usually arrives around the end of June to the first week of July.

“They (raspberries) may be a few days later, but there’s a good amount of berries on there. The bees have done a very good job. We should have pick-your-own raspberries the second week that we’re harvesting.”

Fresh blueberries can usually be purchased beginning mid-July.

Jam, maple syrup, honey, frozen strawberries and blueberries, as well as baked goods from The Hot Oven in Verschoyle, can also be purchased at Potters Road Berries.