Strawberry season is once again early in Delta.
Last year was a record breaker that saw strawberries ready two weeks earlier than usual, and this year looks to be even earlier than 2015.
“In 38 years of growing strawberries, we’ve only picked strawberries in May three times. Now we’ve started picking strawberries yesterday, but just on a limited amount for distribution,” Emma Lea Farms owner Kevin Husband said Wednesday.
The Westham Island farmer said they’re now picking an everbearing variety, while regular June strawberries will most likely be ready by the middle of next week, so people will be able to U-pick those ones at the farm by that weekend, likely May 28.
Husband noted warmer than usual weather and sunnier days contributed to the early season.
“Our whole strawberry season is going to be advanced about three weeks this year, and the main season for the June strawberries will run to about the 18th of June. The July long weekend is normally when we end,” he said. “People have to be prepared to get their (June) berries when they’re ready this year, so it’s starting next weekend and for the next two to three weeks after that.”
While June strawberries will be ready to pick next weekend, the everbearing strawberries now being picked will produce right into September. Husband said those strawberries are also juicy and sweet.
It’s the same story at Westham Island Herb Farm, where Susan Ellis said people can start picking “for sure” next weekend.
“It is weather dependent but we do have pretty good weather coming. Last year we started at the beginning of June and before that we usually start at around the 15th of June,” she said.
Ellis noted the flavour will be “fantastic” but the size may be a bit smaller due to the drier weather. A day or two of rain will certainly change that, she said.
It’s looking like strawberries won’t be the only berries available early this year. Anand Aujlay with Didar Berry Farm in East Ladner said blueberries at his farm, thanks to the weather, will likely be ready for picking around mid-June, two weeks ahead of normal.
