It’s the berries for picking

The sweet season of local fruit continues, windows of sweetness that must be snatched as they unfold.

Blackberries are ready at some farms and will be ready during July at others, while the first peaches, having ripened early, are giving way to the next wave of juicy ripeness. Peach season is expected to last through August as different varieties follow each other.

Blueberries also can be picked or picked up at a few farms.

Here are some farms to check out for fresh fruit.

▪ Sweet Berries & Brambles, 309 NE 120 Road in Harper; open for blackberry picking for the next few weeks. Call 620-955-7373 to schedule a time. More info: www.sweetberriesks.com.

▪ Elderslie Farm, 3501 E. 101st St. North, Valley Center; sign up for blackberry picking at berry.eldersliefarm.com/product/you-pick. More info: www.eldersliefarm.com, 316-519-1545.

▪ Blackberry Heaven, 1870 SW Santa Fe Lake Road, Towanda; has blueberries and will have blackberries starting in mid-July; 316-541-2729.

▪ Sargeant’s Berry Farm, 9836 S. Hydraulic in Haysville; blackberries will be ready in a couple weeks for pickup; call 316-788-1370. More info: www.facebook.com/sargeants.farm.

▪ Beck’s Farm, 7620 S. Anderson Road, Newton; has blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, peaches, strawberries, apricots, plums; 316-282-2325.

▪ Meadowlark Farm, 11249 SW 160th St., Rose Hill; starting on next wave of you-pick peaches; 316-518-8907.

▪ Chautauqua Hills Farm, about 1 1/2 hours southeast of Wichita in Chautauqua County, near Sedan; you can pick your own blueberries or order for pickup, both by reservation, or find them at farmers markets and GreenAcres. Reserve a picking spot online at chautauquahillsfarm.com/purchase; chautauquahillsfarm.com, 620-249-3369.

This story was originally published June 17, 2016 at 5:47 PM with the headline "It’s the berries for picking."