Tis The Season For Picking

June is here and with it a plethora of fruit to pick. This is the times when farms all over the United States open their grounds to fruit lovers and foodies . Pick it yourself offers a wide range of having the best fruit and either eating it fresh or creating tasty and also healthy dishes.It's also a fun way of spending time and making memories with family and friends.

The first step is scouring the Web to see what farms allow picking.  Check to see if there are age restrictions (some places will not allow children under ten or twelve)  along with any fees. Some farms will charge you for gloves or baskets. Others will just hand you a basket and you pay per pound at the end. Another aspect is dressing for it. wear sneakers and socks, You don;t want to step on something or get bit (snakes do occasionally slither in and out of rows and orchards - especially in my state New Jersey).Also take plenty of water and sunblock. Picking on a hot sunny day is no different than time spent at the beach. If you feel light headed  or faint, stop , pay for whatever you picked and head for the car.

Pickings right now are good . This is the start of the strawberry season and some states such as Texas are in full bloom. Blueberries  and blackberries will be ripening towards the middle and end of the month . Peaches are also currently good for the picking too.One important thing to remember is don;t get too carried away. Fruit spoils quickly and if you and your group picked too much,  then you could wind up with throwing  away half of your bounty. Luckily you can freeze fruit, along with making it into a yummy compote..You can also turn it into relish or chutney for your barbecues too.

Make a date at your local farm to go fruit picking. It;s a fun way of bringing together family and friends.It's a great way of enjoying the healthy bounty of the season too.