I know it generally takes a month from bloom to ripe fruit, so should be mid-June, and I know we usually see local berries around Father's Day. This is my first year harvest (planted last year and picked off the blossoms then). I have some good-sized fruit that are starting to turn color at the tips - how long to ripen once you see that? Farmer up the road said a couple of days, and with temps near 90 maybe that's so, but I haven't seen any rapid progression over the past few (hot) days. I'm wanted to have some to bring to market the last 2 weeks of June, hope they're not done by then. Also, I posted on raspberry thread but have question - lots of rain Memorial Day weekend (starting Thurs before), I haven't watered the berries at all, the raspberries look a little wilty, the strawberries looked OK yesterday but with the heat should I water now, esp. with all the fruit? I can't really get my finger down in the soil there since strawberries are so thick. That leads to 3rd question - should I thin the foliage a little to allow sun to hit the berries (after the heat wave passes)? I guess that depends on answer to original Q, if shade from foliage is delaying ripening for market I'll keep it on for a while but need to know when/if to remove it to get the most berries ripening at the time I need them. Thanks

The eye looks as though it will be a dark centered fig. The leaves look more like my Blackjack than my Black Mission, though the BM would be more common. You should have a better idea in a few weeks when they atart ripening. Post a pix then.

I planted in mid February and have ripe Season Starter and Sweet 100, just not the gazillion (red ones) I want to have. 91F/32C tomorrow. Ever notice when you see a seed company's pic of a cherry bunch still on the vine that every single one is exactly the same perfect even shade of red?

Awesome! I've been told 30-35 days or pick when they turn red. As I mentioned before, we've been keeping them on the vine many weeks after turning and they are definitely sweeter. Yours however, are obviously a completely different variety from mine since they are turning color so soon. My money would be to wait until YOU can't wait anymore! I think you will be happier with the flavor. I would label or mark which ones are turning first. Get some pics of the blooms opening tonight. I bet they are cool as hell. J