Table-top solution brings easy strawberry pickings

But one award-winning North Yorkshire farm and cafe is offering visitors a way to pick strawberries .

Cedarbarn Farm Shop and Cafe just off the A170 near Pickering has introduced table-top strawberry picking, so no more bad backs for those wanting to help themselves to strawberries.

Owner Karl Avison explained that the method involves growing strawberry plants in compost bags that are cultivated at a height much more accessible for picking.

“Table top strawberries use less pesticides and due to all round ventilation are less prone to disease,” says Karl, who has spent 15 years in the soft fruit picking business.

“Being above the ground allows the strawberries to be safe from interfering slugs, guaranteeing our customers fantastic produce.”

Due to the perfect picking height of the plants – and wheelchair access to the tables – everyone has the choice to pick their own strawberries, located within a few steps from the door of Cedarbarn Farm Shop and Cafe.

“Weigh and pay in our new pick-your-own shed,” says Karl. “And treat yourself to a dollop of homemade Brymor ice-cream while you’re at it!”

The table-top strawberry idea came about after Karl’s strawberry patch became over-cultivated and he began looking for alternative spots to grow them.

Karl undertook much research in developing the idea, including a trip to visit a fellow grower in Bradford who ran a successful table-top fruit business for 30 years.

In order to maintain freshness and quality, the strawberries – which include Elsanta and Sanata varieties (chosen for their taste and long shelf life) – are fed through a small irrigation system that runs along all five rows of plants and which incorporates automatic feeding.

Karl plans to expand and adapt the concept – growing up to eight varieties of strawberry, which will extend the season and offer customers strawberries for longer – and also hopes to introduce raspberries and blueberries.

“The strawberries are looking superb, I’m very pleased with them and can’t wait to see what our customers think,” he says. Although the strawberry season will be coming to and end soon Karl says there is still time to pick the fruit.

Cedarbarn is run by husband and wife team Karl and Mandy Avison. Karl’s family has farmed in the Thornton Dale area for over a century, and Mandy has years of experience in hotels and catering. The business is a real family affair, with Karl and Mandy’s daughter, niece and nephew working part-time, and even Karl’s mother lending a hand in the kitchen.

This year Cedarbarn won the National FARMA Awards 2011 (Farmers, Retail & Markets Association) Best on Farm Café/Restaurant category.