Throughout Otago, people with a love of food and fresh produce are turning out amazing products. For some it is just a hobby, for others it has turned into their livelihood. Lynda van Kempen reports.
That's certainly not the case.
''During the season, I'll have them fresh for brekky every day - I never get sick of them - strawberries or raspberries.''
Bill admits growing berryfruit commercially at their 4.8ha property, Berryland, near Roxburgh, is a labour intensive and at times, back-breaking task.''
As with any fruit, we're at the mercy of the weather.''
One of the key things, whether you are growing the fruit at home or on a larger scale, is keeping on top of the harvesting.''
If you know it's going to rain, pick everything that's nearly ready. The strawberries can go mouldy and the raspberries don't hold up to rain at all.''
This year is shaping up to be a good season, he says.''
Last year was good too and the lack of rain is good, especially for raspberries which are so delicate.''
Berries are always popular as Christmas desserts and raspberries are ''taking over'' from strawberries as the most popular for Christmas, Bill says. The tasty red fruit is also a top menu choice for birds.
Although the plants are netted, birds still target the crop.''
As soon as the fruit changes colour, they're in,'' he said.''
Everyone is netting now and the birds keep moving around from place to place looking for food, especially the thrushes and blackbirds and the odd one gets in the net. Big mobs of starlings are also on the move, looking for food.''
Slugs are the main enemy of the crop at ground level, especially in a wet season.''
We put straw between the rows which helps deter slugs. They don't like how sharp it is, and the straw is also softer on your knees if you're picking. Straw's pretty expensive these days though, thanks to the dairy guys.''
Skinks and geckoes are among the more welcome wildlife in the berry plantation.''
I'm not sure if they eat the fruit but they love sunning themselves on the black weedmat and they do eat the bugs, which is a good thing.''
They get two crops from the strawberries. The first is from mid-November to mid-January, and the second harvest is from February through to May, depending on the weather.
Strawberry recipes?
Ask Grower Bill Patrick his favourite strawberry recipe, and he just laughs.
''You don't need any recipes,'' the Roxburgh berryfruit grower explains.
''Just load a bowl up with the fruit - you don't need to add anything at all. Maybe a drop of cream, but that's all. Really, they're best just as they are.''
