Gizdich Ranch Flourishes with Fun for Strawberry Season

Strawberry season has sprung once again in Watsonville and will last into the summer.

Living in the Pajaro Valley affords people the great luxury of picking their own strawberries and the berry-picking heart of Watsonville is at .

Gizdich Ranch sits at the feet of rolling green hills, where families congregate around weathered picnic tables savoring strawberry shortcake and every-berry pies, children crawl over an abandoned red tractor and couples lean against white picket fences that border endless rows of crops. On weekends, families peruse the exotic berry selections of syrups, jams and an endless list of .

At Gizdich Ranch, everyone is welcome including pets (just don't forget your pooper scooper).

To pick your own strawberries, try Gizdich Ranch’s “Pik-Yor-Self.” Your handpicked strawberries will cost $1.55 per pound and you’re welcome to bring your own container for collecting, or you can purchase a box for $1.

The strawberry is a persnickety berry in that it requires consistent hot summer days to produce those big, sweet strawberries. Gizdich Ranch employee Dustin Dearman said last summer was too cold, so the strawberries did not reach their potential, but said this year’s high summer temperatures have gifted Watsonville with the quintessential strawberry. 

Strawberry-picking tips:

• Check under the leaves first for hidden bugs.
• Use fingernail to snap off strawberry at an angle.
• Break off strawberry as close to the hull or strawberry top. Breaking off the stem will damage the plant.

The strawberry picking fields can be found if you drive past the Gizdich Ranch main area, past the enormous stacks of crates toward the exit, but instead of exiting, take a right at the “Pik-Yor-Self Strawberries” sign.

But don't let your berry consumption stop with strawberries. Dearman said raspberries are the new “it” fruit in Watsonville, which has been the world capital of different popular fruits over the years—apples stole the spotlight in the 1920s, but were ripped out in the ‘80s and replaced with strawberries. Most recently there has been an influx of raspberry crop because of its longer crop life from May through November.

The most sought-out berry at Gizdich Ranch is the exotic olallieberry. An olallieberry is a mix between a youngberry and loganberry, which are types of blackberries. The olallieberry has a tart flavor, as opposed to a boysenberry, which has a sweeter flavor. Will there be a new fruit capital takeover with the olallieberry, considering they grow best in cool, coastal regions like Watsonville?

Since strawberry season is so fleeting, here are some tips on storing strawberries to enjoy year-round:

• The best way to store strawberries is to freeze them.
• Never wash them before you freeze them or you end up with a big block of ice.
• Freeze them as soon as you picked or purchased pre-picked strawberries. Lay them on a cookie sheet (unwashed) and do not remove the hull or top of the strawberry because they will degenerate faster.
• When you’re ready to take them out, wash the strawberries and take the hull or top off.

Strawberry recipe for a hot summer day

Sparkling Strawberry Wine Soup, recommended by a young couple wandering under the lavender trees at Gizdich Ranch.

INGREDIENTS:

2 pint baskets fresh strawberries

2 tbsp orange juice

1/4 tsp grated orange rind

1 cup plain soda water, chilled

1 cup dry wine, chilled

1/2 cup sliced fresh strawberries

Mint leaves, for garnish

DIRECTIONS:

Briefly purée fresh strawberries in a food processor or blender. Add chilled wine, orange juice, orange rind and blend to combine. Add soda water and stir in sliced strawberries just before serving. Garnish bowls with fresh mint leaves. Makes four servings.