The strawberry crop is ripe and ready north of the Quad Cities.
Today marks the start of the strawberry season at Pride of the Wapsi in Long Grove, Iowa.
"Got a nice big juicy one,” said Jack Jack Bevans of Davenport.
Picking strawberries is an annual tradition for Jack and his brother Sam.
"It's just a fun family event. We get to come out here, just have some fun for a few hours picking strawberries and then we get to eat them later on," Jack said.
Today is the first day people were allowed to pick strawberries at Pride of the Wapsi in Long Grove, Iowa.
"Some that we picked are really big ad some are tiny. But some look really good but some have brown spots too," said Sam Bevans.
So far Mother Nature has been cooperating.
"Right now we’ve had good, nice warm weather. Good sunny days and adequate moisture," said Pat Dierickx, Pride of the Wapsi Co-Owner.
People are driving from as far as Iowa City to load up. In one case 82 pounds worth. And that's just from the first of a few blossoms.
"This year, the three branches are looking very good and they're producing right up to schedule," added Dierickx.
That's good news for the Bevans family.
"We make them into smoothies for my little brother and I and then strawberry shortcake for dad always. Most of the time we just eat them plain with dinner too," Jack said.
The picking season will last about three weeks. If you're planning to go, make sure to wear your grubbies, because you're going to end up covered in red juice.