The state’s strawberry crop is showing signs that it will be a good one this year. LSU AgCenter Agent Mary Helen Ferguson says with the different varieties of strawberries, some Louisiana growers are already harvesting.
“It’s looking good, no major issues that I am aware of, and I think we will continue to see the steady flow as long as we don’t have a lot of real cold temperatures,” said Ferguson.
Ferguson says because of the state’s generally milder temps during the growing season and preferred soil, the harvesting season can begin earlier in Louisiana.
“The growers can start harvesting as early as December in some cases, can’t harvest a whole lot in winter, not as much as March and April,” said Ferguson.
Another reason for the earlier harvest in Louisiana is the variety of strawberries grown here. Ferguson says farmers in the Bayou State are very progressive by growing multiple varieties to extend the season.
“The fact they want a variety that’s going to produce all the way from roughly December until May, may not be the same variety of the same plants producing all the time, but they do want that continuous production,” said Ferguson.
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