By CARLIE CLARK/CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Ckc26208@email.vccs.edu

FRANKLIN—Every year for the past seven years Amp Cobb, owner and operator of Goose Hill Farms, has offered locals a chance to pick their own strawberries.

Cobb’s “You-Pick” strawberry operation is located on Bethel Road, off of Sedley Road.

Prior to opening up Goose Hill, Cobb and his wife, Beth, attended a class in Virginia Beach taught by specialists from N.C. State University, which went over exactly how to grow and take care of strawberry plants.

Starting the first of September they begin to gas the fields in preparation, then in October the strawberries are planted. Starting in late winter or early spring, the blooms are covered to protect them from the cold. And then in the spring, they await the ripening process.

Goose Hill is a family-run farm and offers the strawberry patch primarily as a You-Pick business, however the Cobbs do offer buckets of strawberries for those who are not able to pick their own or are in a hurry. If you pick your own, a four-quart size it is $8.50. If they pick it for you, the cost is $13.

“This year has yielded a good crop and so far has had a good turnout,” Cobb said.

Goose Hill also sells preserves made from the fresh strawberries as well as a variety of recipes on how to make your own preserves and jams. This year they have started to grow green onions as well, as they look toward diversification.

Typical hours for the strawberry patch during the season are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, but those who want berries should call ahead to make sure they are available. Call 569-8453.

Goose Hill Farm has a Facebook page as well that offers updated posts about the fruit at www.facebook.com/goosehillfarms.