BARAGA COUNTY — Spring and early summer weather have allowed for an plentifult crop of strawberries this year, which is good news for both those who grow berries and those who eat them.

James Niemela, owner of Niemela Market Gardens, a market garden located in Northern Baraga County, is just one of several growers in the Copper Country. Niemela said this week that it appears this year’s crop is looking healthy.

“They’re looking good,” Niemela said. “A lot of berries are coming, a lot of green ones. We’re getting some red ones.”

With the annual Chassell Strawberry Festival about two weeks away, berry lovers can start enjoying the fruits as soon as this weekend.

Niemela said he may have some berries at the this morning’s Tori Market in Hancock, depending on the number of ripe ones. “If not, we’ll have them for market on Tuesday,” he said.

While many growers open their fields for customers to pick their own berries, Niemela harvests his own and brings them to the local farmers markets. This year promises an abundance.

“We’ve had the good rains at the right times,” Niemela said. “We’re in Arnheim, so it’s a little cooler coming off from Keweenaw Bay, but the berries we grow seem to like the cooler nights.”

Niemela grows varieties that are ideal for the Copper Country’s Zone 5.

“We grown Cavendish and Jewel, a few Wendy, but Cavendish is a really good performer for us. Some people don’t do as well with that with warmer nights, but we get the cooler nights off the Bay, and Cavendish likes the cooler weather, so we do good with them.”

Niemela said he maintains a couple of thousand plants, but is not certain as exact numbers.