The berry so nice it comes around twice? The red raspberry. Unlike other berries, raspberries come in summer-harvesting varieties and fall-harvesting varieties. Lucky you. Most Whatcom County farmers, like McPhail Berry Farm’s Marty McPhail (look for him at the West Seattle, Broadway, University District, Kirkland, Redmond, and Columbia City markets), grow both. According to the Washington Red Raspberry Commission, Whatcom farmers produced 45,894,216 pounds of raspberries in 2004. The successive growing seasons of the two varieties are key to those impressive numbers—and key to Whatcom County’s status as the leading berry-producing county in the country. Think about that next time you blend up a bright red smoothie. While you’re at it, think about blending up a golden yellow smoothie, too. Golden raspberries are in season right now as well, although they’re considerably less popular than their crimson cousins. McPhail doesn’t grow any, but they’re available in smaller quantities at some markets. Washington State University raspberry researcher Pat Moore says there is virtually no difference between red raspberries and golden ones, aside from the obvious. On another red-and-yellow note: Heirloom-tomato tastings will be held at the Broadway market on Sunday, Sept. 4, at Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 8, and in the University District on Saturday, Sept. 10.