Please read this newsletter carefully and save for future reference
as crop conditions are very different this year.

We Plan to Open the Retail Market Saturday, June 23, with Raspberries and Blackberries. We will be picking limited quantity of raspberries and blackberries before opening on June 23. If you would like some of these, place order at 244-5809 and I will call you when available.

As you all know, the severe cold with high winds Easter weekend was devastating to much of the NC/SC/GA tree fruit and some small fruits 2007 crops. There will be no peaches or nectarines to harvest in Upstate SC this year. We grow 18+ types of small and tree fruits (120+ varieties). Within all these varieties, we have some with no crop, some with varying levels of a crop and some with a full crop.

Considering the significant reduction in salable fruits to be harvested this season, we are taking steps to reduce operating expenses and will not be sending out weekly newsletter updates. This newsletter covers fruits we will be harvesting between now and August 15. Early in August will send another newsletter concerning the apple crop and other late season fruits. We will also have reduced market hours, listed at the bottom of this newsletter. As further steps to reduce expenses this season, THESE RETAIL OPERATING CHANGES ARE BEING MADE:

1. WILL NOT be using the 895-5002 retail market phone.
2. To contact retail market—cell phone: (864) 979-8378.
3. Also—home office: (864) 244-5809 or email: perdueapple@aol.com

We have been working long and hard to have as good a blackberry and raspberry harvest as possible. Right now the bushes look healthy and most varieties have set good crops.

When the freeze hit, all our plums were loaded with small fruits. Thought we had lost the total crop. Much to our surprise the Ozark Premiers were thinned by “Mother Nature” and the trees have a full crop on them. All others plums and stone fruit have no crop whatsoever.

All the new season leaf growth was frozen on the bunch grapes and figs. Both have put out new growth and we should be able to harvest late season crops. This spring has been tough on our bees—lack of flowers. Hopefully they can make enough honey that we can have some available by mid-July.

As for making our fresh fruit processed products: Have a good rhubarb crop. Now making rhubarb and strawberry/rhubarb sauces. Also strawberry preserves and a couple batches of Betty’s Country Catsup. Will make other preserves as extra berries become available.

Dick and Betty Perdue

RETAIL FARM MARKET HOURS thru August 15

OPEN: Tues., Thurs., Sat. 10:00 till 5:30

CLOSED: Mon., Wed., Fri., (will open Sunday if fruit available)

Plants for Sale
In response to interest in obtaining berry and grape plants for your home gardens and in anticipation of a good business season (before freeze), we dug, rooted, purchased and then potted a considerable quantity of such fruit plants. They are growing very well and will be ready to plant by July. Need to get your planting area ready.

Will have available growing instructions based on our experiences.

The North Carolina counties bordering Upstate South Carolina are still considered FIRE ANT free. It is required by state and federal law that all horticultural plants grown outside a greenhouse be treated with a specified pesticide to eliminate Fire Ants prior to being sold. Especially the potting soil. All our plants have been so treated.

FARM ADDRESS FOR INTERNET DIRECTIONS AND MAP
2400 S.C. Hwy 11
Travelers Rest, S.C. 29690
See Map

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