One guess which berry the poet William Allen Butler referenced when he wrote, "Doubtless God could have made a better berry, but doubtless God ever did"?
Yes, the strawberry, and the 19th-century New Yorker lavished on the praise despite never having had the pleasure of visiting a Midwestern U-pick strawberry farm.
Don't make that same mistake. June is synonymous with strawberries (in this rainy spring, probably more like mid- to late-June), and nothing beats the flavor of a juicy, fragrant, just-picked berry, particularly when you're the one doing the work.
Do-it-yourselfers also benefit, budget-wise, since U-pick farm prices generally fall far below their supermarket counterparts. Plus, it's a fun outing for the whole family.
A few tips: Wear stain-resistant clothing, and call ahead to confirm berry availability, payment options, directions and hours. Now get picking.
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Minnesota
Anoka: Berry Hill Farm, 6510 185th Av. N.W., 763-753-5891, www.berryhillfarm.com
Champlin: Bauer Berry Farm, 10830 French Lake Rd., 763-421-4384, www.bauerberry.com
