Viewfinder: Quonset View Farm Offers 'Berry' Good Times

At the height of strawberry picking season, which runs from about June 6 through July 20, will see hundreds of locals, passerbys and vacationers alike picking through the 12 acres of planted strawberries to take home for snacking, pie making and putting up jam to savor throughout the year.

The farm, which has been in operation since 1902, is run by WIlliam J. and David M. Cotta, third-generation farmers on the island.

"Farming has gotten tougher and tougher over the years," said William Cotta, adding, "there are not too many of us left."

"You need to get creative and take care of your crops," he says, pointing to the 12 acres of perfectly laid out rows of strawberries surrounded by layers of straw used to keeps the weeds out and creating footpaths for the customers coming to pick berries.

Most say that strawberries are best eaten right off the vine, but for the more adventurous, try using them in jams, pies, pancakes and smoothies.

The farm is open seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., for picking.

The cost to pick-your-own is $1.79 per pound or, if you choose to fill just a quart, $3. Containers are made available.

When the strawberry season ends, the farm gears up for the Pick-Your-Own Pumpkin harvest weekends in October.