Berry Nice! -- Despite The Weather, The Time Is Ripe For Strawberry Picking

Sunshine and warm weather during the past week definitely have helped. But it's a berry, berry interesting season for strawberries. Heavy spring rains waterlogged some fields while others flourished.

Despite the problems, thousands of these fire engine-red juicy jewels of the Northwest fruit world are ready for your eating pleasure. But more than ever it's important to call the U-pick farms before driving to them, making sure there are berries to pick.

Here's why:

Schuh Farms of Mount Vernon: ``Our strawberry fields petered out, but we'll have raspberries in a few weeks.''

Snoh-Fresh U-Pick of Snohomish: ``Our strawberries are later varieties that should ready from July into September.''

Spooner's U-Pick of Puyallup: ``They're luscious and gorgeous, and they're not rotten.''

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, this year's crop in Western Washington is falling 300,000 pounds behind last year's total of 11.4 million pounds. That still leaves plenty for you.

Two major benefits of U-picking: You can select the prime berries that show little or no damage from the weather, and you can process them within hours of picking. Speedy use is important to prevent spoilage because of this year's extra-high moisture content.

The Puget Sound Farm Markets Association's free 1990 Farm Fresh Guide and map lists U-pick strawberry farms in King, Pierce, Snohomish, Skagit, Thurston and Lewis counties, and farms featuring everything from peas to pumpkins - depending on the season. Get your free copy at area chambers of commerce, libraries and farms. Or send a 25-cent stamp and address label to the Puget Sound Farm Markets Association, 4009 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle 98103.

-- There will be plenty of berries at the Burien Heritage Fair and Strawberry Festival from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today. Members of the sponsoring Burien Arts Association are gathering the freshly picked berries from the Puyallup Valley to make strawberry shortcake to sell at this event, which has retained the character of a small-town fair since its beginning in 1975.

The free events take place in the Burien Arts Gallery, 421 S.W. 146th St., the nearby Burien Library and the wooded park between the two buildings. Tables on the back lawn of the gallery are provided for enjoying hot dogs and shortcake while musicians and dancers entertain on the grass.

Other highlights include a square-dance exhibition, a storyteller in a magic circle in the woods, a harmonica player, a Sioux Indian chanter, and artists in action. Children can participate in crafts projects. They can bring their own T-shirt to have painted or buy one at the festival.

``Our Heritage, Land and Lives'' is the theme for the gallery's art show, representing the work of about 50 painters, potters and craftspersons.

Planners say there will be demonstrations of spinning, weaving, woodcarving, rug braiding, quilting, clock repair, stained-glass making, fish printing, calligraphy and paper marbling. As if that weren't enough, an Angora goat and a box of kittens also may show up, they add.

HERE'S THE PICK OF THE STRAWBERRY CROP

Many U-pick strawberry fields are open this weekend, and many also sell pre-picked berries. But before driving to your field of choice, call to make sure the berries are awaiting you.

Area U-pick farms include:

Bailey Vegetables, 12711 99th Ave. S.E., Snohomish, 568-8826.

Craven Farms, 13817 Short School Road, Snohomish, 568-6531.

Snow's Berry Farm, 18401 Tualco Road, Monroe, 794-6312.

Monroe Berry Farm, 18830 Tualco Road, Monroe, 794-7825.

Fred Zante Farm, 13415 N.E. 170th St., Woodinville, 483-9676.

Con-Mid Old World Fruit Farm, 13245 Woodinville-Redmond Road, Redmond, 885-9441.

Serres Farm, 20306 N.E. 50th St., Redmond, 868-3017.

Harvold Berry Farm, 32325 N.E. 55th St., Carnation, 333-4185.

Remlinger Farms, N.E. 32nd St., Carnation, 451-8740 or 333-4135.

Otsuka Berry Farm, Main Island Highway between 168th and 171st streets, Vashon, 463-2406.

Augie's U-Pick, 176th Ave. S.W., Vashon Island, 463-2735.

D & D Farm, 21841 Frager Road, Kent, 872-8612.

Cruz-Johnson Farms, 22243 Frager Road, Kent, 872-8017.

Poor Ol' Dennis's Country Corner, 12305 Auburn-Black Diamond Road, Auburn, 735-1725.

Suyematsu Berry Farm, 12589 S.E. Green Valley Road, Auburn, 833-3063 or 833-1381.

Allen J. Scholz Farms, near 128th Street, Sumner, 848-5955.

Spooner's U-Pick, 1625 E. Main, Puyallup, 841-2876.

Laura and Bob Johnson, 5211 52nd St. S.E., Everett, 252-3281.

Due's Berry Farm, 14011 Old Highway 99, Marysville, 659-3875.

Biringer Farm, Highway 529, Marysville, 259-0255.