By Clint Thompson
Alabama’s strawberry production thrived this year, mostly because weather conditions were ripe for a successful crop.
Strawberry producer and Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association President Taylor Hatchett talked about her crop which flourished amid prolonged dry conditions.
“For the most part it’s been fairly dry, and the strawberries really do great with drier conditions,” Hatchett said. “We usually see fewer disease problems, better berry flavor, and the overall result is better berry quality.”
It certainly was dry for an extended period. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, extreme conditions cover most of the southeast part of the state while moderate drought and severe drought conditions are observed in the central and northern areas of the state.
On the flipside, persistent rains can devastate a strawberry crop, both in its quality and quantity.
“The strawberries will just absorb a lot of extra moisture. Of course, you have dilution of their sweetness, so they’re not as sweet,” Hatchett said. “It also just results in a softer, more water-logged berry that just does not have the same shelf life. You also have in wet weather, traditionally, disease problems; bacterial and fungal diseases, especially are worse. They really thrive in those moist conditions.”
Hatchett said her strawberry crop is still producing and will continue to do so as long as temperatures cooperate.
“They are happy to keep blooming and fruiting as long as the temperatures are conducive to that. You know, there’s other parts of the country where they have very extended strawberry seasons because they have a very temperate climate,” Hatchett said.
“A lot of times in Alabama, by late May, our berries are done. Really, once those nighttime temperatures start staying up fairly high, the plants stop their reproductive growth and really go more to like a vegetative. They’ll start sending out runners instead of their blooms and fruit.
“But right now, we’ve had some weeks of what felt like summer, and now we’re kind of back into this where it really feels like spring. And so that’s great for the strawberries. They keep blooming. And from bloom to harvest, you’re looking at about 28 days. So, we always kind of keep watching.”