William Fletcher, a Ponchatoula strawberry grower, examines fresh-picked berries before heading to market. He said his crop is coming in earlier this year because of the new way the berries are planted. (Photo by Johnny Morgan.)

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 have had a jump on success with an earlier-than-usual season.

Regina Bracy, LSU AgCenter professor and research coordinator of the LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station, said there are several reasons why this season’s crop was earlier.

“Farmers are planting earlier, and they’re using what we call floating row covers to minimize damage,” she said.

The growers are planting earlier using plants grown in cell packs instead of bare-root transplants. This type of “plug planting” allows the plants to get started faster than bare-root transplants and helps with disease suppression, Bracy said.

Louisiana strawberries taste better because the berries are sun-ripened and delivered from field to consumer in one day or less.

“By being locally grown, this means less shipping time, and we know that shipping reduces berry quality,” Bracy said. “Locally grown means farmers can pick the fruit riper and sweeter.”

Bracy said the number of Louisiana strawberry growers has remained steady for the past few years at about 50. All together, they grow berries on about 300 acres, mostly in Tangipahoa Parish. Because of improved techniques recommended by the LSU AgCenter, growers are getting higher yields on fewer acres, Bracy said.

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.”

Listen to audio news release “Strawberry season starts early.”

Watch the video news release “Strawberry season arrives early for Louisiana.”

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.