Agriculture officials expect great strawberry crop

Posted: Tuesday, April 23, 2013 8:00 pm

LASCASSAS (AP) — State agriculture officials are expecting an excellent crop of strawberries across the state this year.
Pamela Bartholomew, a marketing specialist with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, told the Daily News Journal that Tennessee’s cool, wet spring has prolonged the growing process.
“The cold has thinned out some strawberries, but that’s actually a good thing, too, since the remaining berries will get a bigger share of their plant’s nourishment,” she said. “It all adds up to a great crop.”
Steve Pearcy at P&P Farms in Lascassas said he’s expecting one of the best crops he’s seen in years.
Pearcy, who has farmed strawberries for 14 years, said most of the berries that are sold in the grocery stores are picked green. He waits until the berries are all red. They only are good for about 24 to 48 hours but taste great.
Pearcy sells his strawberries at his farm store and also by the gallon for those who want to pick their own berries on the farm. Picking begins around the first of May.

Published in The Messenger 4.23.13

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