SANFORD — What’s red and juicy and appears for a sweet, brief season toward the end of June and the early part of July?

If you live in Maine, there’s no question — the answer is strawberries, and the season is in full swing.

Whether you grow you own, go berrying at the pick-our-own farms, buy them at a farm stand or in the market, now is the time.

They are here to sweeten the season — and whether you eat them now, make jam or freeze some for later, strawberries spell summer.

Early on Wednesday, more than a dozen families were in the pick-your-own fields at Lavigne’s Strawberry Farm in Sanford.

Among them were Libby and A.H. Hutton, their 16-month-old daughter Piper and a visitor named Daila Malpass, 7, who lives in North Carolina.

Both the 7-year-old and the 16-month-old had red-stained faces and sweet smiles.

Libby Hutton said that with Daila in town, they thought they’d take advantage of the cooler temperatures afforded early in the day, and were out picking around 8 a.m.

“We came before it gets too hot — my Nana taught me that, “ said Libby.

What will be their strawberry treat?

“Shortcake, if they last,”  said Libby looking at the two girls sampling what they’d picked.

“We’ll eat them,” said Daila.

Well, of course.

To check if u-picks are open, call first:

Lavigne’s Strawberry Farm,  Sanford 324-5497; Dole Orchards, Limerick, 793-4409 or Spiller Farm, Wells, 985-2575.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].