Hailstorm destroys this year’s crop for central Ohio U-pick farm; Here’s how you can help

After a hailstorm swept through parts of central Ohio late last week, one local flower and berry farmer was left picking up the pieces.

According to a social media post made on Friday afternoon, Mitchell’s Berries & Blooms, a Plain City-based strawberry, raspberry and flower farmer that offers u-pick options for each as well as a farm market, had many of its spring crops devastated by the storm.

A post from Mitchell’s Berries reads:

“No words…

Just heartbroken 

Daffodils destroyed

Daffodil season is over.

Peonys 75% destroyed

Strawberries don’t look good.

Not good at all.

Raspberries still have a few baby leaves. Time will tell.”

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A series of photos chronicling the damage, depicting entire patches of ruined daffodils and more, was posted to the farm’s social media pages. An update posted the following day confirmed Mitchell’s daffodil crop was ruined, but that some peonies may be salvageable. 

“Yesterday we cleaned up and did some maintenance which also took a tole on our hearts and minds. The peonies and strawberries took the brunt of it. Time will tell how they will do,” Shelly Detwiler, who owns the farm alongside her husband, Paul Detwiler, told 614Now. “My husband sprayed the berries to help with healing and disease prevention. We covered them since it’s going to be cold. Then we will do our best to promote growth once it warms up again. They were just starting to flower which becomes a berry in 30 days.”

The farm’s asparagus is also on the cusp, but as it was not as far along as other spring plants, Detwiler said that they “should be alright.”

She cited two major ways patrons can support the Plain City Farm through its tough year. The first is though its events, such as the Opera in the Meadow that will take place later this year, More events will be added to the farm’s website and social media pages in the near future as well.

Detwiler, who noted she’s been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from customers and fans,  said she may consider selling Mitchell’s Berries merchandise, or even hosting a concert series.

“As of right now I just encourage everyone to keep following us on Instagram, Facebook and weekly emails. The events and t-shirts will be a good place to start. If in a few weeks it still looks dire, maybe we’ll have to figure out a ‘Berry Aid’ concert instead of farm aid,” Detwiler said.

Want to read more? Check out our print publication, (614) Magazine. Learn where you can find a free copy of our new April issue here!

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