Roger and Valerie Kelly of Kelly’s Berry Farm says they have an excellent crop of cultivated wild low-bush blueberries. You can start picking on Monday, July 19 at 10 a.m. They are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day except Sundays. The price of pick you own is $3 per pound. They advise that you bring a 9 inch high stool as picking can be hard on your back. Also, please bring your own containers.

Please call (613) 338-2535 to check they are open.

You can get high-bush blueberries at West Moira Orchards as well as raspberries and a variety of vegetables and home-grown beef.

“It’s that time of year again - breaking the previous record for the earliest opening date! Come have a thrill on Blueberry Hill!! Wilson’s Organic Blueberries is opening for the season. Please give them a call to time out when they are open. Please call/e-mail to pre-order picked berries so I can get them ready for you.

Wilson’s Organic Blueberries (613) 478-5070 email Denice Wilkins denicejohn [at] live [dot] ca

Tomato bulletin The Village Green says, “As of the May long weekend, heirloom tomatoes seedlings will be ready to go to their new homes (and gardens). Over 30 different varieties are now available in many colours, including red, pink, black, yellow, orange, green and striped, and in many sizes (cherry to beefsteak).

“We also have many herbs, peppers, squashes, cucumbers and melons for sale. And for the third year, we are offering limited amounts of sweetpotato seedlings that are hardy to this area.”

Pick up a Tomato Bulletin and learn more about heirloom tomatoes.

Visit the Village Green in Foxboro. Open all year 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays and for the May long weekend, we will be open on Sunday noon to 4 p.m. (613) 961-0654.

The drop in temperature mean asparagus have slowed their growth down. This means you won’t be able to get locally-grown asparagus until it warms up again.

There is an Asparagus update for May 10 2010 from J. and B. Asparagus Farm - “Second week of harvest completed. Cool weather has slowed growth and we’re sold out until middle of this coming week. Sorry. Expect to be able to fill orders about Wednesday,” Jack, Betty Ketcheson and Family.

J. and B. Asparagus Farm, 1702 Fish and Game Club Road, RR#2 Frankford, K0K 2C0, Tel. No. (613) 398-8393.

You can also check with Willow Creek Farms, 1442 Frankford Road, RR#2 Frankford, K0K 3C0, Tel. No. (613) 967-0882 to see when they can start harvesting again.

Wooler Dale Farm, 255 Richards Rd., Frankford, ON, K0K 2C0, also grow asparagus. They are a certified organic farm.

The season usually starts a little later at Railway Creek Farm in Madoc Township and Black River Farm in Tweed.

Do call and check what is happening before you visit the farms.

If you are looking for new recipes using locally-grown asparagus go to Ontario Asparagus.

Winter is a time to stock up with candles. In Hastings County we have a number of producers who make beeswax candles.

It has been a good season for potatoes and there are many varieties to chose from. You can find out more about potatoes and check out recipes at the Ontario Potato Board. To find out where to buy local potatoes search for potatoes growers in Hastings County.

At this time of year there are a great variety of apples to chose from in Ontario.

How about buying a beef animal for Christmas and sharing it with family and friends. You can buy a whole animal, a half or a quarter directly from the farmer.