Strawberry Crop Looks to be Best in Years

Tennessee’s strawberry crop looks to be the best in years, despite recent frosts. Agriculture Department spokesperson Tammy Algood says the mild winter and warm spring have ripened the fruit more than in a typical year. That means it has increased sugar levels which make it more cold tolerant. She also says growers are used to close calls and are set up to react to cold weather. Algood says strawberry lovers should call ahead if they plan to visit a patch. She says a patch filled with ripe berries on Friday could be picked clean by Saturday, then ready for another crowd by Tuesday.