Berry season is underway in Ottawa and after a wet spring and hot summer, farmers say it’s leading to a good growing season for berries. John Vandenberg, co-founder of Rideau Pines Farm, says raspberry season is just getting underway and the weather conditions have been ideal. “We need about an inch a week (of rain) on a steady basis if you want good growing conditions,” Vandenberg said. In previous years, Vandenberg says the farm has had to use an irrigation system in dryer years. “We have an irrigation system, so we have to augment it. We’ve already done it before because it was dry before we had the last rain, so we had to do some irrigation,” Vandenberg said. Families can come and pick their own strawberries, a tradition the farm started in 1980. The farm also grows other pick-your-own crops, including raspberries, potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, and zucchini. Frequent customer Lina Fascetto has been coming for the last 38 years with her children and is happy to continue the family tradition with her daughter and grandchildren. “It’s wonderful and to experience it with my parents, seeing the joy they get. Watching them pick berries like we used to do. It’s a great family outing for us,” said Laura Fascetto, who was picking berries on Monday. The farm also grows everbearing strawberry plants that grow before and after the hottest days of the summer. “The advantage is you don’t get them later on in the season. We’re basically done picking about July. While other strawberry farmers have the late summer varieties, but then our variety comes back in late August until frost,” said Matt Vandenberg, co-owner of Rideau Pines Farm. “Last year, we’re picking up until October last year with strawberries and the varieties.” The raspberries as well grow at different times. “We have our early summer and we will probably be in full pick for in about four days or so. Then in about ten days from now with the late summer raspberry. Then, our raspberries will start again in late August until frost also too,” said Matt Vandenberg.
