Berry enthusiasts have been hard at work plucking the sweet fruit away from their stalks on the Mid North Coast.
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At Ticoba farm in Comboyne the busy season of blueberries arrived later than expected for owners Penny and Ernst Tideman.
The couple was worried that the season would not be as prosperous as previous year, due to a dry 2016 spring.
Mrs Tideman said recent rain and cooler weather will be beneficial in allowing the fruit to thrive.
The farm opened to the public the week before Christmas and will stay open until the end of January.
About 200 people picked about 500 kilograms in the first week. Mrs Tideman said that the farm was visited by the serious pickers who like to stock up for years.
Ticoba farm is home to about 10,000 plants which are aged between six and 10 years.
Brackenridge Berries owner and manager Jenny Kompara-Tosio said that they had been ‘picked out’ by January 1.
Ms Kompara-Tosio said about 1000 kilograms was sold in the first week that the farm was open to the public on December 9.
In 2017 Ms Kompara is hoping for another good year. She said spring rain can help boost the plants for the number of berries that grow on them. Ms Kompara said the fruit will also thrive off a cold winter.
The farm is currently in the process of renovating some of their oldest plants, while also nurturing some baby plants which have recently been put into the soil.
The oldest plants on the Brackenridge farm are about 85-years-old.
Berries appear immediately on the plants and once they are about three years old become part of the picking process.
The Brackenridge farm currently has about 2300 blueberry plants.
Ms Kompara-Tosio said blueberry picking seems to attract the best kind of people. She said it It was very satisfying welcoming all pickers to the farm and was looking forward to seeing them again in 2017.
Ricardoes Tomatoes and Strawberries north of Port Macquarie has provided an alternative activity for the public on summer days where the beach has not been such a good option.
The strawberries are located undercover and can still be picked on rainy days.
Owner Anthony Sarks said that the strawberries are grown all year and this allows them to be picked by people through all seasons.
The fruit is grown hydroponically which controls irrigation, nutrient application, humidity, temperature, light, insect and disease control.