AS the weather warms, it's the season for weekend outings to the suburbs for fruit-picking tourism, "farmhouse fun" and relaxing in the countryside. Chen Ye picks strawberries in the outskirts.

Fruit-picking tourism is picking up in the Shanghai suburbs and the first fruit ripe for the picking are strawberries.

As the weather warms, it's also time for nong jia le (farmhouse fun) tourism in the countryside where city dwellers can escape and relax, pick fruit, stay with farmers and enjoy overnight stays and home cooking.

Luscious strawberries are available in Baihe Town in Qingpu District. Baihe aims to become China's "Town of Strawberries," where around 1,650 acres have been planted with strawberries. The area has extensive greenhouses where seeds are planted and sprout.

Strawberries are available over six and a half months in two prime periods, starting now. One runs from mid-November to early March, the other from early April to early June.

Other fruits ripen later, starting in April, and there will be more fruit-picking tourism to Malu Town for its Malu grapes in July and August in Jiading District and to Jinshan District for small peento or donut (Saturn) peaches in August.

Vegetables are also ripening and some are available now. Late summer and fall will be prime time for squash and pumpkins.

"Fruit-picking trips have become more popular in recent years, especially in spring. Families, love birds and young couples like to take a day to breathe fresh country air and taste fresh fruits and vegetables picked with their own hands," says Shen Li, from Shanghai Sightseeing Bus Center.

Qingpu, less than an hour's drive from downtown, is the destination now for picking strawberries, as well as having fun in countryside. "Happy farmhouse" tourism is becoming popular among people who want to get away from the city, enjoy the countryside, play games, eat home-cooked meals and even spend the night in approved farmers' houses.

Shanghai is encouraging countryside tourism, and farmers can boost their income by letting tourists pick fruit and vegetables. It also provides employment.

"Fruit-picking and nong jia le trips definitely provide more opportunities for farmers to enjoy a better life," says Ye Shengzhou, an official with the Shanghai Agricultural Commission.

No figures are available about countryside tourism and fruit-picking, but officials say it is picking up.

"This new kind of tourism deserves support for helping address unemployment issues and increase farmers' total income," Ye says.

Strawberries

China is becoming an important player in the world strawberry market and an emerging competitor to California, according to reports on China's strawberry industry. China produces an estimated 1.2-1.5 million metric tons of strawberries depending on weather, and acreage is constantly expanding. It also exports frozen strawberries and the domestic market is growing.

Farmer Liu Guangxue is Baihe Town's "strawberry master" and has been planting many varieties of the fruit for years. He says Shanghai's Qingpu District started planting strawberries in 1983, and the total annual output is between 1.5-1.8 tons because of continuous greenhouse planting and modern cultivation techniques. Of the world's 50 varieties of strawberries, Qingpu grows 40, says Liu.

According to Qingpu District statistics, at least 6,000 families in Baihe make a living growing strawberries. The average annual income per hectare is around 225,000 yuan (US$35,670), but this year because of weather and pollination problems it is expected to be lower.

"I have planted vegetables and other fruits but the profit is far less than for planting strawberries," says Uncle Yang, who runs Uncle Yang's Strawberry Picking Farmhouse and was able to build a two-story house in Qingpu District with his earnings.

But because of unfavorable weather, total output in Baihe Town is estimated to be 20 percent less than last year, according to strawberry master Liu.

The seeds imported from Zhejiang Province normally need temperatures between 16-20 degrees Celsius to develop naturally.

Bees, which are necessary for pollination, were also not as busy as usual in the past year, contributing to lower yields, he says.

While many people believe greenhouse-grown strawberries and other fruits are bad for health because most greenhouses use growth chemicals, Liu says "Qingpu uses soil cultivation, and there is no need for harmful chemical catalysts."

Hongxia and Zhangji varieties are recommended for their sweetness and flavor, fragrance, vivid red color and tiny green leafs. They are a rich source of phenol, which if taken regularly, help protect the cardiovascular system, fight inflammation and may have anti-cancer properties. They cost around 25 yuan per kilogram.

Other fruits and vegetables available for picking
? Cherry
Best time: Early April to late May
Where to pick: Songjiang Big Harbor, Songjiang District, Shanghai
It is also recommended to drive to Hangzhou in May, because it is the best time for cherry picking, and Hangzhou has one of the biggest gardens in China for picking cherries, located in Lukang Farm, Huangshan Village.

? Grape
Best time: Mid-July to late September
Where to pick: Malu Town is one of the most famous grape-picking destinations in Jiading District, and people can also visit Pandian Village in Zhuangxing Town, Fengxian District.

? Peach
Best time: July and August
Where to pick: Huinan Town in the Pudong New Area is the best place for peach picking, and there is the annual Nanhui Peach Festival.

? Watermelon
Best time: Early June to summer
Where to pick: One of the most recommended places is Sunqiao Modern Agricultural Development Zone in Pudong.

? Cabbage
Best time: All year round
Where to pick: Cabbages are full of nutrition and they are available in many places, such as Fengxian, Jinshan and Nanhui.

? Carrot
Best time: Autumn
Where to pick: Qingcun Village in Fengxian District

Tips
? Always call before going to a farm to check on availability.
? Containers are usually free but some farmers may charge 2-3 yuan for one.
? Be careful not to bruise strawberries or damage plants.
? Dress sensibly, wear practical shoes.
? Pick only fully ripe, red strawberries. Small and medium size are best.

How to get to Baihe Town:
By car: Drive along G2/G42 Highway, turn right on Jihe Highway, keep driving and turn right at Waiqingsong Road, then turn right at Hexiang Road and reach Baihe Town