TOWN OF BEAVER, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — As the middle part of June approaches, many are thinking about heading to the fields for some strawberry picking.
Experts say recent frosty weather is causing some damage and delays at a couple of area farms, though.
But producers say there’s still time, and they are hoping for a good crop this year.
On a quiet farm field south of Crivitz, Chris Blaser says recent cold and dry conditions took a toll.
“The weather’s been difficult this year,” said Blaser’s Acres Owner Chris Blaser. “We had some late frost — it took out about half of the crop of early varieties. The second big problem this year has been the rain. We finally got rain Saturday and yesterday. We still could use some more, but we’re good. We did a ton of irrigating. We pumped more water than we ever have.”
The Blaser’s Acres owner says it’s a similar story 40 miles to the south at his other strawberry farm in Suamico.
“Down here, we lost probably 20%, so a little less severity in Green Bay versus Crivitz,” he said.
Blaser says plans to offer pick-your-own strawberries at both farms are pushed back.
“We’re going to start pre-picking some berries for stands tomorrow, and the ‘you-pick’ will start sometime next week,” said Blaser.
He says the frost-damaged varieties shouldn’t have a big impact on the rest of the picking. Blaser says conditions will be updated daily on the Blaser’s Acres Facebook page.
“Just give us a few moments to get going, and you guys will all be able to fill your freezers,” he said. “If everybody can just hold on and we get through these early berries — once we get into the mid-season and late-season, the bushes are loaded up — and there will be plenty of berries for everybody. It’s just not going to be as fast as normal.”
Strawberry picking typically lasts about a month, but experts say it all depends on the weather. The hotter the temperatures, the shorter the season.
