One of the nice things of June is that it's the beginning of the wild berry season. That translates into pies, jam, wine, and strawberry shortcake.

It starts with wild strawberries around Memorial Day but certainly by the time June takes its bow. After that, the timing of wild berries and fruits continues its march across the calendar and into fall. It would be difficult to find a better scenario for cooks, bakers, and little old winemakers.

The timetable for wild berries and fruits will be somewhat later in the north. If you love picking berries, you can take notes on when your favorites ripen.

Black raspberries generally follow the wild strawberries. Falling into line as summer progresses are dewberries, blackberries, choke cherries, red raspberries, and (as a last hurrah of the summer berry season) elderberries.

Actually, the term berry pickin' is a bit of a misnomer. Lots of berries aren't really picked. They are sort-of twirled off the cane. You place the palm of your hand under the cluster of berries (or a single). The thumb and index finger of your other hand twirl them off and allow them to fall into your palm. Then you can place them into your pail.

You can make a pail from a two-pound coffee can. Attach a heavy wire that can hook over your belt. This allows you to hold a prickly cane with one hand and twirl with the other. When berries are ripe and firm, rinse them in cool tap water, but guard against washing away natural juices of those that are dead-ripe and juicy.

By Bill Scifres

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