Raritan, Delite, Holiday, Earliglow and Scarlet varieties are additional varieties that also grow well in Michigan. Michigan State University Extension recommends selecting or picking medium sized strawberries that are firm, plump and deep red in color. Once strawberries are picked they will not ripen further.
What is Michigan strawberry season?
Mid June until the end of June is the prime Michigan strawberry season for berry picking.
Is Michigan known for strawberries?
Strawberry season is getting underway in southeastern Michigan. Like a Michigan summer, the season is short. It runs for about three weeks, sometimes less, depending on the crop, the weather, and the farm location. What makes Michigan strawberries shine is they are picked when they are ripe, sweet, and red throughout.
Where are strawberries grown in Michigan?
While strawberries are grown in every Michigan County, Berrien, Leelanau and Van Buren are Michigan’s largest strawberry producing counties. Jewel, Honeoye and Allstar are the most prevalent commercially grown varieties and account for nearly 60 percent of all land in strawberries in the state.
How do strawberries grow in Michigan?
Site Selection. Strawberries prefer well-drained soils that contain plenty of organic matter. They also need at least 8 hours of sunlight per day to produce well, so they should be planted in full sun; although the plants can tolerate partial shade, they’re unlikely to bear well if they don’t get enough light.
Are Michigan strawberries ready?
Strawberry picking season in Michigan can start in late March and run through to May and June, although of course, as with any fruit, weather plays an important role in when these little gems will be ready for you to collect.
What month is best for strawberry picking?
For most of the country, June is prime time for strawberries. You might also see them in the fall at some farmers’ markets, thanks to ever-bearing varieties that can produce until nearly the first frost. If you do, consider yourself lucky. “They’re so delicate.
Which state grows the most strawberries?
California
In the United States, fresh strawberries are primarily grown in California (roughly 90 percent annually) and Florida (about 8 percent), followed by New York, North Carolina, Oregon, and Washington.
Where is the strawberry capital?
Nicknamed the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World, Plant City’s farms produce millions of berries each year. In fact, Hillsborough County produces about 15 percent of the nation’s strawberries and nearly all of its winter berries.
How many strawberries does Michigan produce?
Michigan Strawberry facts:
Michigan grows strawberries for both fresh and processed uses. In 2009, Michigan produced 43,000 tons of fresh strawberries and 3,000 tons of processed strawberries, generating $6.6 million.
What strawberries grow best in Michigan?
There are two types of Michigan strawberries: June-bearing and everbearing. June-bearing strawberries are easily adapted to the backyard fruit grower. They produce fruit for 3 to 4 weeks beginning in mid-June.
What does everbearing strawberry mean?
They are classified into early, mid-season and late varieties. Everbearing strawberries produce three periods of flowers and fruit during the spring, summer and fall. Everbearers do not produce many runners. Day neutral strawberries will produce fruit throughout the growing season.
What are Jewel strawberries?
Jewel is an exceptional strawberry. It is widely adapted, hardy and consistently produces very good yields. The fruits are large, well shaped, easy to pick, have good texture and pleasing skin and internal color. They are great eaten fresh and freeze well, and they resist rotting in storage.
Are everbearing strawberries better?
Ever bearing varieties have fewer runners and are much easier to manage. If you’re interested in near carefree strawberry plants that provide decent produce at different times in a year, I’d recommend growing Ever bearing strawberries.
What’s the difference between June-bearing and everbearing strawberries?
Everbearing strawberries begin bearing at the same time as June bearers. The difference is everbearers will continue to produce berries throughout summer and into fall. They can produce some berries into October if growing conditions are favorable.
How do you tell if strawberries are Everbearing?
If your berries seem to bud and flower in cycles all summer long, they are ever-bearing types that produce flowers and fruit for three or more months. Ever-bearing berries do not require short sunlight days or cool weather to form buds.
What fruit is in season in Michigan?
When to pick: the season starts with strawberries in June, cherries in July, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, currants, and peaches in Mid-July, nectarines and pears in August, and apples in September. The farm also sells pears in late August and chestnuts beginning in October.
How long are strawberries in season?
Because of that, and the varied locations where they are grown, the national strawberry season is said to run January through November. In the Deep South, when to harvest strawberries will usually be late April and May.
How many pounds is a flat of strawberries?
A flat of strawberries contains: 8 quarts. 12 pounds.
Why are strawberries so cheap?
The association said that berry-growing conditions were excellent for farmers, but lockdowns had caused people to buy less fruit. Mountains of perfectly good strawberries could be dumped if sales don’t pick up, in a devastating blow to farmers. “Some farmers are unable to even cover their costs,” the association said.
How can you tell if strawberries are sweet?
Check for a bright red color
Color is a major factor involved in picking strawberries. If there’s any whiteness found around the stems, the berries were not picked at peak ripeness. The brighter the color, the sweeter the strawberry.