Spiegelberg Strawberries Galore
Many people, some from far away as Cleveland, have enjoyed picking strawberries the past two summers at Spiegelberg Farms on Dean Road. Customers come for a refreshing "day in the country" while filling their baskets with the large, easy-to-pick berries.
Dale and Nancy Spiegelberg purchased property formerly known as Floretta Farm from Lewis J. Ladrach and his sister, Mary Ladrach. Ladrachs had lived at the farm all of their lives until they took up residence in the Elyria Home in July. The farm was in the Ladrach family one year less than a century.
Spiegelberg’s first strawberry planting of five-and-a half acres was done in 1978. After the soil was fumigated to eliminate weed and insect growth, foot-high ridges were carefully shaped and plants placed five feet apart on them. Four runners from each plant were trained to fill the space between mother plants.
Constant supervision and carefully tested cultural practices have brought high yields per acre. One high-density planting, which was new this summer, is the only planting of its kind in Ohio.
The first pick-your-own harvest in 1979 took the combined effort of the family and ten employees. When customers arrived at the big, white tent, they were given printed instructions and directed to parking space near the day’s picking area. Field attendants gave instructions where and how to pick, and how to mark the row when stopping. Many persons arrived intending to pick only a few quarts. When they found how quickly the four-quart containers were filled, they went home with several basketsful. Some women came back day after day, bringing their families and friends to gather fruit for dessert, canning, freezing, and for jam and jelly. Many liked the recipes on the sheet handed out at the check-out point.
The Spiegelbergs live next to Spiegelberg Orchards, Middle Ridge Road, Lorain, where Dale formerly was associated with his father and his brother in business. However, Dale and Nancy hope to build a new home for their family on the scenic farm property on Dean Road.
Transcribed by Lowell Dunlap