The early and prolonged heatwaves this spring shortened and strengthened this year’s berry crops in British Columbia.
One of the many farms in B.C. that has seen their berry season cut short thanks to the heat is Krause Berry Farms & Estate Winery in Langley, where strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries are all well-ahead of schedule.
“There was a story out in April about the late season and how it’s going to be another late season,” said Alf Krause, founder and owner of Krause Berry Farms. Not the case.
“After the last rain in May, things were heating up so we are actually ahead of normal.”
As the intense heat continued over the next month, the berry crops continued to flourish, albeit while shortening their season as well.
“With the intense heat, it is making it a very short season as strawberries, let’s use the term ‘June strawberries, are two-thirds finished already,” Krause said. ” One more good weekend and they’re going to be winding down.”
The next season for strawberries will arrive again at the end of July and last until Thanksgiving, barring any more weather-related issues of course.
The more recent waves of cool weather has Krause perplexed about the earlier predictions even more.
“All the predictions were pretty well off, with the intense warm weather we had in May and now as it cools off,” he said.
Thanks to that intense warm weather, the berry crops were plenty and ready for picking earlier than normal.
“It feels as if the berries will have a very strong peak and a short season, for raspberries, blueberries and blackberries,” Krause said.
“The abnormally warm weather in May and June to this point has really accelerated the pollination time and so everything kind of feels as if it’s going to come on strong and more all at once, so people need to be ready to come out and get their berries.”
READ MORE: Cold temperatures impacting bees – and Langley farmers
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