An early spring raised concerns that a late frost could damage North Carolina's strawberry crops. Now the threat has passed, and that means it's going to be an unusually early picking season.
Agricultural experts say Piedmont strawberry lovers have already started picking in some places and other fields should be opening over the next two weeks.
The statewide peak is usually around Mother's Day weekend. This year, the season is a few weeks early, with locally grown berries expected to be available into the Memorial Day holiday.
The bumped-up start is the result of a warm February. State Agricultural Commissioner Steve Troxler says freezing temperatures in March put initial production on hold. With those conditions over, he says the second harvest of the strawberry season is underway.
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