Raspberries The Very, Merry Berry

Now I’ve never picked fresh raspberries. Strawberries and blueberries, yes, but never raspberries. So I was intrigued when my daughter sent me photos of she and her husband and a friend foraging a field for the tasty berry.

Our friend, Tracy, made raspberry jam that very day. She picked enough for 4 batches of jelly, that is, eight jars of 8 oz. each. This is something she’s been doing ever since her mother gave up jelly making six years ago.

Fortunately, she said, there were enough left over berries to make a raspberry sauce topping for ice cream. .

It All Started at Thies Farm 

Thies Farm & Market in Maryland Heights, one of three locations of the market that began in 1885. It’s owned and operated today by the 5th generation of the family.

In addition to raspberries  and blackberries, Thies offers, corn, tomatoes, and peaches, plus a variety of fruits and vegetables during the summer months. In October the Thies locations become Pumpkinland and in December they roll out the Christmas trees and poinsettias. 

Buy by the tray or pick your own.

Berries plump and juicy

Thies Market and Greenhouse on N. Hanley.

Tracy spent the rest of the day making raspberry jelly from an old recipe of her mother’s. Ahh. . . such sweet memories.

Three Locations: Owners: one of the Thies brothers owns Thies Farm and Market, 4101 Creve Coeur Airport Road, Maryland Heights. (tomatoes, corn, strawberries, melons, cabbage, watermelon and  more.) Open Tue-Sat 9a-5p and Sun 10a-4p. Closed Monday. 

The other brother owns Thies Farm & Greenhouses, 4215 N. Hanley Rd i(Pumpkinland play area, pony rides, face painting, farm animals, fresh produce). Open: Tue-Sat, 9a-5p. Sat: 9a-5p; Sun 10a-4p; Closed Monday.

Third location is at 3200 Greens Bottom Rd., St. Charles; Open Tue-Sun 10a-4p, Closed Monday.

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