Question
QUESTION: hi if a farmer tells me that he sprayed strawberries with pesticides before they blossomed and none after that, wouldn't the pesticides still have ablsorbed into the strawberry?  is there a cover on the berry before it blossoms or is it without a peel so that the pesticides were sprayed right onto the berry?  thnaks, gia

ANSWER: gia:
no, there would be no pesticide residue on the berry, but I'd still look for a true "no-spray" farmer if I had the choice.

Elyse

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: hi thanks for your response, very interesting, just wondering how that works?  how is it that the pesticides sprayed before blossoming do not absorb into the berry?  thanks gia

ANSWER: Gia:
There is no berry before blossoming. The flowers must be pollinated, after which the berry will begin to form.

Elyse

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: so is it the flower that is prayed or the seed?  and so all the pesticide residues disappear before being absorbed into the berry, is that correct?  thanks

Answer
If he says he is spraying before blossoming, he is either spraying the leaves or the soil. Some chemicals may be absorbed through the leaves or roots, but I don't know if any residue is found in the subsequent fruits. If you are still concerned, ask the farmer what kind of spray he is using and research that product.

Elyse