US (NC): Strawberries come early
This is the result of a mild winter and an early spring. Many farmers in the state are saying that this is the earliest they have picked in recent memory.
Sam Hall of Bush-N-Vine Farm in York, S.C. said, "Our two main things now are not to get too cold and not to get too hot."
Too many days in the upper 80s and low 90s will stop strawberry plants from flowering and would bring the season to an end quicker.
Other crops also are expected to start earlier. Blueberries and peaches are moving ahead quickly, too, said Kevin Hardison of the N.C. Department of Agriculture. "Some of the blooming things have been blooming their heads off," he said. "We expect a very productive season."
Even more difficult to predict than the weather though, are the prices. North Carolina’s crop is generally worth about $25 million to farms.
However, a longer harvesting period could mean lower prices. However, a sudden change in the weather now could mean higher prices.
The biggest part of the problem, according to growers, are consumer perceptions.
"People from the north think 'June-bearing strawberries.' It’s April- and May-bearing strawberries around here."
Source: www.charlotteobserver.com
