The Senate Site: Raspberries!

By Lyle Hillyard
Utah State Senator, Cache Valley

Last Saturday after the rain, I went to the garden to pick some apples. I had given up on the raspberries because with the recent frosts, everything that is vulnerable to a freeze had been killed. Most raspberry crops in the valley had produced only about 50% of a normal crop (according to the Utah Farm Bureau News). As I was working, I checked down in the raspberry bushes and, to my surprise, those raspberries were still growing and ripening. With the help of my son-in-law, we picked almost an entire case. I can’t believe how much we have harvested from the raspberries this year but it was a nice surprise to see that the good harvest has not yet ended.

3 Comments:

Anne Bradshaw said...: My favorite fruit. I have frozen raspberries that might last all winter.

Am disappointed in this year's apples, though. In-store apples don't seem as crisp and sharp as normal. Is it just a bad year, or has the current bee problem affected them?; 10/24/2007 12:38 PM
Lyle Hillyard said...: Thanks for your comment, Anne. My apples are just the opposite this year. We will have more than enough to make about 120 gallons of apple juice this weekend. I have not seen my apples as large or as bounteous as they are this year. The only difference I can think of this year is that I have a neighbor who didn't grow a garden so she let me take her watering turn. Instead of just watering for three hours on Wednesday morning I also watered on Saturday. The hot summer, coupled with plenty of water, I think, made the difference.

We still have some apples left on the tree. Come on over and pick some. The only price Alice and I charge is you have to find and pick ten weeds while you're here.; 10/26/2007 11:20 AM
Lyle Hillyard said...: As the Fall season rolls on, another favorite pastime of mine is to watch the Utah State University Football team. They have played at home the last few weeks and I was pleased with the improvement the team has made. However, I know how hard it is on the players and coaches to not have won a game so far this year. I think Head Coach Brent Guy should be cut some slack and given more time to prove himself. Luckily, the USU athletic director feels the same way. There are still a few games left to play and I am hoping, as a loyal fan, that the Aggies can pull out a victory.; 10/30/2007 4:23 PM