According to a vendor at the Reston Farmer's Market, where I missed the berries by four hours a few weeks ago — "You have to get here by 8 if you want them," he said, and I sauntered in there at noon! — the crop was off by at least a third this year.
And the crop was late, too. A pick-your-own place I looked into pushed back its start time by two weeks. I'm blaming both the quantity and tardiness on our harsh winter.
But I found a farmer's market downtown, and at the last stall, a small selection of overpriced berries. I'm not saying how much these beauties cost. Let's just say they've been worth every penny.