Some B.C. farmers are cashing in early on this year’s strawberry crop.
“I would say in the last 40 years I’ve been growing strawberries, this is the earliest ever,” said Alf Krause of Krause Berry Farms in Langley.
Workers have been in the fields since the middle of May, nearly three weeks ahead of schedule.
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“It was just the weather,” said Terry Michell of Saanichton’s Michell Bros. Farm. “From the new year onwards, the last three months have been very warm and dry. It means we have a lot of berries coming real quick.”
It’s seen as a welcome turn of events for this often difficult industry.
Strawberries won’t be the only thing hitting the market a little sooner this year.
Perennials like raspberries, blueberries and blackberries are expected to be available two weeks early. Other produce isn’t far behind.
“The corn is growing more rapidly, the beans and peas. We’ll be having our fresh peas starting next week,” said Krause.
-with files from Kylie Stanton
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