qHeature TheReview Wednesday, July 25,1990 — A9 belie by Valorie Lennox The Review At Lochmar and Bailiwick Farms, the blackberry is being redefined. At Lochmar and Bailiwick Farms, the blackberry is being redefined. Forget the fingertip-sized black- berries with the annoying little seeds plucked from roadside bushes — the new Kotata black- berries frequently measure over an inch in length and are seedless. “The goldang things grow so well around here, there’s no reason they shouldn’t grow domesti- cally,” said Ron George, explain- ing why he decided to plant an acre of blackberry canes in March, 1989, on his Central Saanich Lochmar Farm. The Kotata berries, developed in Oregon, were recommended by Canada Agriculture as one of the strains ideally suited to the Penin- Sula. Because of the concentrated winter rain on the Peninsula, some berry strains can suffer root rot, leading to the death of the canes when the fruit develops, Patrick Brennan of Bailiwick Farm explained. The Kotata strain is resistant to root rot. “It’s ideally suited to the Peninsula,” Brennan said. In April 1989, he planted 360 canes on three-quarters of an acre. The abundant rainfall in June, followed by hot weather, has been almost ideal for the plants, Bren- nan said. “‘They’re much earlier than we’d thought they'd be. The yield looks like it will be very heavy, considering it is the first year,” Brennan said. The first blackberries came off the canes just over a week ago. Both growers are delighted with the crop. “Theyre larger, juicier, more flavorful and they don’t have the @@rd little seeds the wild ones have,” Brennan said. “They're terrific. They re much, much larger than wild berries with less seeds and more pulp,” Jean George said. “They stain just as badly as the other kind,” she added. Some of the George’s berries are being sold through Bailiwick - Farm’s stand on McTavish Road. Jean also plans to freeze some DEEP COVE WATERFRONT 3 bedroom, largely fur- nished, well suited for cou- ple. Available September 1st t Avgus? 13% $1,000.00 per month. Ref- erences required. Phone 656-4945 After 6 p.m. SIDNEY FIRE EXTINGUISHER Service & Sales One Hour Recharge Service Inspections Hydro-static testing - C0? ABC Dry Chemical Refilling Pyrene Chemical Refilling Commercial - Marine Residential 656-FIRE (3473) 9802- 5th Street (At Beacon Ave.) SIDNEY, B.C. V8L 2X3 Se ee NS ee berries and use some to make jam and wine. Ron is already considering planting more canes, but notes he must have an assured water supply to grow more berries. The West Saanich Road farm now draws water from Hagan Creek. Demand for the berries has been good. At present the berries are being picked and sold but Brennan said the Bailiwick farm canes may be open to U-pick in a few weeks. “Tt’s painful picking,” Brennan said. “These have thorns. Even the leaves have thorns. It’s unbelieva- ble.” Thornless varieties of blackber- ries have not been successful since even bushes which start without thorns develop the prickles if the plant is pruned or the roots dis- turbed, Brennan said. He anticipates harvesting black- berries until mid-August. The canes should produce for 15 years. Eventually he expects the Kotata blackberries will develop their own special reputation among blackberry lovers, just as other blackberry strains — the Logan, Marion and Boysen — are almost regarded as different types of ber- ries. For more information on the berries, call Bailiwick Farm at 656-7808. ‘These have thorns. Even the leaves have thorns. Ii’s unbelievable’ DINNER SPECIALS OF THE WEEK DINNER FOR 2 vx 2 Egg Rolls x Chicken Chow Mein yx Pan Fried Prawns 18" ¢ Chicken w/3 kinds of Mushrooms..... DINNER FOR 3 v< 3 Egg Rolls S Chicken Chow Wein vx Pan Fried Prawns é Chicken w/3 kinds of Mushrooms — te S&S Boneless POFK.........:s::sseceseseeesee0- 995 DINNER FOR 4 tx 4 Egg Rolls ¢ Chicken Chow Mein ¢< Diced Chicken Almond Chop Suey y« S&S Boneless Pork ix Pork Fried Rice 5 ° tx Deep Fried PraWn........-----2--:ss:ssssessess Lunch Specials From*37 MON-SAT 11:00 AM-2:00 PM DAILY oS THE SAANICHTON | TOWN RESTAURANT | "PIZZA *CHINESE *WESTERN 7784 East Saanich Rd. 652-1213 (across from Prairie Inn on Mt. Newton X Rd.) — *Bountiful blackberries: bigger and better A BETTER BLACKBERRY is coming off the canes at Bailiwick Farm in North Saanich and at Lochmar Farm in Central Saanich. Both farms are now harvesting their first crop of Kotata blackberries, a strain developed in Oregon which is ideally suited to the Peninsula. Shown are (above) Patrick Brennan of Bailiwick Farm measuring a blackberry and (left) Ron George of Lochmar Farm checking the canes. 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