Strawberry season kicks off two weeks early in Quebec

Producers are crediting a mild spring for the two-week advance.

Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.

Article content

Quebec’s strawberry and raspberry production industry association says consumers can expect to see strawberries for sale beginning this month — two weeks earlier than usual — thanks to an unseasonably mild spring.

The Association des producteurs de fraises et framboises du Québec notes that despite recent episodes of overnight freezing in some regions, producers were able to protect their crop.

Meanwhile, Quebec raspberries are expected to be available next month.

The association notes that farms will be opening their market stalls soon, while consumers can do their own strawberry picking beginning around June 19-24 in the Montreal area and a week later in the Quebec City region.

Do-it-yourself raspberry picking is expected to begin across the province in July.

Autumn strawberries and raspberries are expected to be available in August. The end of the season for both fruits is expected in October.

The association adds that Quebec producers have resorted to a varied collection of technologies to ensure a longer strawberry and raspberry season, including using greenhouses, tarpaulins, plasticulture, tunnels and above-ground planting.

Greenhouse strawberries are expected to be available this month.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly attributed statements about the strawberry season to the Union des producteurs agricoles.