Berries - ripe for picking
Berry picking is one of the highlights of summer, with different fruits following each other through the season, even the rare blackcurrants and gooseberries.
Early last century, white pine blister rust swept across the United States, devastating gooseberry and blackcurrant bushes, forcing a federal ban in 1906 ordering growers to destroy all their shrubs. It was only lifted in 1966, when planting slowly began again.
In Europe, blackcurrants and gooseberries are almost staples. Both make popular pies in Britain. In Germany, gooseberries turn into a splendidly sharp balancing sauce for mackerel.
If you want fresh blackcurrants, limited supplies can be found at Homestead Farm, 15600 Sugarland Rd, Poolesville, 301 977 3761, and at Jefferson Farm near Winchester, VA. For directions, call 703 459 9385.
Berry picking, a popular high-summer activity across Europe, is also possible locally. Among those farms close to Washington selling pick-your-own strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and apples, are
Butler's Orchard, 22200 Davis Mill Road, Germantown, MD, 301 972 3299
Catoctin Mountain Orchard, US15, Thurmont, MD, 301 271 2737
Crooked Run Orchard, Business Rte 7, Purcellville, VA, 540 338 6642
Darrow Berry Farm, Bell Station Rd, Glenn Dare, MD, 301 390 6611
Johnson's Berry Farm, 17000 Swanson Rd, Upper Marlboro, MD, 301 627 8316
Potomac Vegetable Farms, 9627 Leesburg Pike, VA, 703 759 3844
Pryor's Orchard, 13841-B, Pryor Rd, Thurmont, MD, 301 271 2693
Westmoreland Berry Farm, Rt 634, Oak Grove, VA, 804 224 9171
Yager's Blueberries, 12337 Lawyers Rd, Herndon, VA, 703 860 327
Call to discover what is fruiting in season.
Poland is a major grower of these and other soft fruits to supply Europe's jam market. Polish jams under the Hero label, as well as blackcurrants in syrup, are stocked by groceries like the European Bazaar, 1488-I Rockville Pike, 301 230 9371 and others. The jams are in the International aisle of some larger supermarkets like the Giant at Westbard, Bethesda.