Peaches Vs Strawberries

It all began one sunny afternoon in 2006. We were four along with a dog, Cyprus. So? So, it would be the first time for me to go for fruit picking. Off we went and I did not realize it would be so much fun. We went to this farm which had a very good Peach harvest..and obviously to pick Peaches. As I was totally new to this concept, I tried and observed how it all began and ended. Even though farms are not new to any person coming from any country, somehow, this was different. Being given the liberty to attack someone's farm and to pick the fruit of your choice appealed to me a lot. Even though I knew I had to pay in the end, the entire experience was worth the pay!

We were all given containers and were shown to a particular area where we were at our free will to pick, eat and do whatever we could with the peaches. Cyprus, the dog had fun too. But for her, we would probably not have had so much fun. Now, picking Peaches was not an easy task. They grow on tall trees and we had to take help from ladders and reach very far on top to get hold of some ripe peaches. We did find a few ripe ones, and vice-versa after an exhausting hunt. What did we do with the unripe ones? Threw at each other and threw them for Cyprus to pick 'em up. All in all, the scorching sun never affected us, courtesy ample shade from the trees and it turned out to be the best pick up. After we picked our goodies, we paid for them and had some good home made Peach ice-cream in the store...heavenly!!!!!!!!

On the other hand, we went to this Strawberry pick up very recently. And the experience was totally different. Unlike peaches, Strawberries do not grow on big trees..they are just shrub-looking and the fruits grow beneath the shrubs. So, no ladders! Next, the sun. No shade...which makes you weary very soon. You can't make fun under sun neither could you run around such delicately paved murky paths. All in all, it was a very quick, simple and might I add, a boring affair. Go, hunt for good Strawberries and get out. Of course no ice-cream...so we just ate a sandwich and drove back home.

But what did we learn about picking in general? Nothing complex..a few common sense points..

• Do not wear light colored clothes. Wear dark clothes and preferably old ones.
• Check the timings and avoid afternoons.
• Always try to be there in the first week the pick up opens.
• Before you purchase huge amounts of fruit, make sure you know what to do with them.
  
• Always go in groups..you will end up having more fun.

Lemme know if you have any suggestions.

Happy picking!!