By Clint Thompson
Strawberry season was a success for growers in central Alabama. Weather conditions the last few months allowed for producers to maintain their season longer than normal, said David Lawrence, regional Extension agent in central Alabama.
“We finished two or three weeks ago, which is, if you can get into June with strawberries, you’ve done good. We had a pretty mild May, so that really helped. Most everybody has sprayed them out and are getting their fields cleaned up,” Lawrence said. “It was a tad bit later start than what we’re used to, but we did have a warm February so that helped. We had a pretty cool May so that made the season last longer. Poundage wise, I don’t think it was quite as good as last year for the entire season, but it was still better than average.”
The drier conditions experienced in May allowed the plants to maintain growth and reduced incidences of plants losing their fruit.
“We didn’t have a ton of rain, and rain really beats up strawberries and makes them soft. We didn’t have a lot of heavy rain in May, so that really helped, too. There weren’t nearly as many berries hitting the ground as what could have been,” Lawrence said.
Growers are now making plans for future strawberry seasons.
“If they’re going back with strawberries, then they’re getting ready to lay plastic. Hopefully, they’re coming in with a cover crop and not going back with strawberries directly,” Lawrence said. “Some people don’t have an option, so that’s what they’re doing right now. They’re getting ready to fumigate, if they’re going to do that, and get ready for next year.”