May 26, 2009

Fruit Picking Time is Here

Its harvest time in Brentwood! For a fun family outing, take a short trip to Brentwood in Eastern Contra Costa County. Here you can visit a number of farms and depending on the fruit available pick fruit yourself or go to one of the stands where the fruit is freshly picked.

Be aware Brentwood can get hot so plan to go early in the day if you can. Wear sunscreen and take a hat. Traffic on weekends is heavy as “pickers’ come from throughout the Bay Area.

Right now it is cherry time with some farms featuring apricots and berries as well. To download information on the farms, fruits and a map go to www.harvest4you.com.

When picking cherries look for fruit that is firm, not hard, and a dark deep color. Cherries usually are available for about six weeks and now is the time to go. Bing cherries will reach their peak in about three weeks. Store unwashed cherries in the coldest part of your refrigerator and they will last about a week. You can freeze cherries for up to a year – wash and dry and freeze either pitted or whole in a zip lock bag.

Soon peaches, nectarines, corn as well as other fruits and vegetables will be available. Have fun and enjoy!

Posted by:Kathy Mardiros