Louisiana strawberries taste good, and they're good for you. (Photo by Johnny Morgan)

Louisiana strawberry growers take pride in having the best tasting strawberries on the market. (Photo by Mark Claesgens)

Not only do Louisiana strawberries taste good. They’re good for the state’s economy. And this year Louisiana strawberry growers will once again have a delicious crop.

A cold snap in January in south Louisiana has caused this year’s strawberry crop to come in a little later, said Regina Bracy, horticulturist and coordinator at the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station.

“It takes 21 days from flower to berry. So if the growers lose all of their flowers and berries at this time, then they will not have another crop for 21 days,” she said.

Bracy said this means growers will have less income during that time. In addition, cold weather adds to growers’ expenses because they have to cover the rows to try to protect the plants and possibly apply water at night.

Growers use row covers to contain the heat that accumulates in the ground and keep it over the berries, she said.

“Also, what most people don’t realize is that as water freezes, it gives off heat. So when growers apply water to the berries, this keeps the temperature of the fruit and the flowers above freezing,” she said.

The peak season for Louisiana strawberries is usually in March and April, but farmers receive more money for their crop earlier in the season. So the prime time for the farmers is November, December and January.

Before the recent cold spell, growers were picking an earlier than normal crop, with some berries coming in as early as October.

“Using plug transplants instead of bare-root transplants has resulted in earlier yields,” Bracy said. “Plugs recover faster from transplanting stress, so they produce berries faster than bare-root transplants.”

Heather Robertson, a Ponchatoula grower had an early crop but is aware of the downside of picking early.

“We plant from plugs, which gave us an early crop,” Robertson said. “But we have to cover the berries a lot because of the cold weather, which is an added expense.”

Robertson and her husband planted about 17 acres of strawberries this year, and she said so far her crop has been a better than last year.

“Last year we had a really cold winter, and that was bad for the berries,” she said. “But up to this point, the weather has been good for us.”

Eric Morrow of Ponchatoula planted about 15 acres of berries this year and said he picked his first berries on Oct. 29.

“We should have a good year, with lots of berries for Valentine’s Day if the weather is not too bad,” Morrow said.

Many growers this year planted Strawberry Festival, a variety they have been growing for many years, Bracy said.

Bracy said Louisiana produces about 300 acres of strawberries, which is down from 1,000 acres 10 years ago.

“We’re seeing the decrease in acres, but we’re also seeing some young farmers coming in, and that gives us some hope that the industry is going to continue in this area,” she said.

With newer varieties and newer growing techniques, Bracy said, growers are getting production earlier.

“In recent years, it hasn’t been uncommon for growers to start picking in November, when they can get a better price for their berries and also more yields,” she said.

Bracy said the cold weather doesn’t affect the quality of the berries if they are protected and not damaged.

“The berries that come out after this weather will be as good as any we’ve had,” she said. “In fact, cold weather does less damage than applying too much water or having too much rain.” 

Strawberries are good for you
Strawberries are one of the healthier fruits to eat, said Beth Reames, LSU AgCenter nutritionist. They are low in fat and calories and naturally high in fiber, vitamin C, folate, potassium and antioxidants.

Strawberry growers are normally involved in growing other crops also. “In addition to growing strawberries, most of the growers also grow vegetable crops such as tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplant, squash, cucumbers and cabbage,” Bracy said.

Louisiana strawberry season peaks in March and April and lasts into May.

Read more about the nutritional value of strawberries in “It’s Strawberry Time.”

The LSU AgCenter is one of 11 institutions of higher education in the Louisiana State University System. Headquartered in Baton Rouge, it provides educational services in every parish and conducts research that contributes to the economic development of the state. The LSU AgCenter does not grant degrees nor benefit from tuition increases. The LSU AgCenter plays an integral role in supporting agricultural industries, enhancing the environment, and improving the quality of life through its 4-H youth, family and community programs.