9th Annual Berry Fest at Lyman Orchards

Middlefield (WTNH) - It's harvest time at Lyman Orchards and the star attractions at the 9th Annual Berry Fest are ripe and ready to eat.

But it wasn't easy getting here. Rain and unseasonably cold temps this Spring into Summer proved a big challenge to farmers resulting in smaller crops.

"We were actually very worried," Erica Mongrain, of Wallingford, said. "We usually go way to the back where the blueberries are the best, but we've come right to the first couple aisles and they're fabulous."

John Lyman, of Lyman Orchards, said getting the berries at their best wasn't easy.

"It's been a difficult growing year in a lot of ways," Lyman said. "Especially for vegetables. Our corn mazes and sunflower mazes have had to be replanted because of all the rain we've had. But it will come."

As if all the wet weather wasn't enough for farmers to contend with, Mother Nature brought a blight on tomato crops.

And the combo will be a one-two punch to your wallet.

Growers at Lyman's say smaller tomato crops could force prices to jump as much as a dollar a pound, with smaller increases on other produce.

"It's really supply and demand," Lyman said. "If there is a shortage of supply, the prices will reflect that. But I think a lot of the other crops - I don't anticipate you'll see real high prices."

Mongrain is noticing the difference.

"We actually went to the store first," Mongrain said." We said, 'Let's see how many we can pick on our own and hopefully save a little bit of money.' We are seeing a little bit of a cost increase."

Best way to save some green? Experts say buy local. And it doesn't hurt to pick your own when you can.