Strawberry Growers Grapple With Hurricanes, Extreme Cold but Still Come Out on Top
by RYAN MILEJCZAK
photo by JESS McDONALD
Florida growers are only a few months into this year’s strawberry season, but they’re already saying it is one of the best in recent years. In the words of Kenneth Parker, Executive Director of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association, “This harvest this season is of impeccable quality.”
Although the crop is currently thriving, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. The season got off to a rough start due to Mother Nature.
“The hurricane set us back a little bit,” says Michael Hill of H&A Farms, a fourth-generation farmer from Central Florida. “We had to go back in, pull out the plastic from the beds, reshape the beds, and relay the plastic. It basically set us back to the start.”
This was echoed by other growers, including David Hill of Southern Hill Farms.
“Things definitely started out screwed up because of Hurricane Milton,” David Hill says. “Thankfully, we probably fared better than most because the sandy ground here, which doesn’t hold water. We had damage, of course, but not as much as other farms.”
Once growers were able to recover and get back on track, temperatures across the state plunged far below normal for multiple days in January.
That cold weather slows production, which can be a challenge for growers.
“It’s frustrating because our volume is down so much,” says David Hill. “But, this week we’re starting to get back in the 70s and 80s, so we’re expecting things to start taking off and get back to normal.”
Parker also says the warmer temperatures are helping berry production pick up.
“The historic average volume is a little behind due to delays in planting and an extended cold period. The weather is perfect now as we approach the beginning of February, and yields are returning to normal.”
Even though the frigid temperatures slowed down strawberry production, they also provided a significant benefit: sweeter berries!
“So far, we’ve gotten around 290 chill hours, which is insane for Central Florida,” says David Hill. “But it will make for a really sweet berry, it just slows things down a bit.”
Parker agrees, saying the cooler weather has actually made the strawberries “incredibly sweet, with good size and shape.”
Hurricanes and cold weather weren’t the only two challenges this season. A variety of pests have also plagued growers. One of the most notable is the dreaded chili thrip, which is a pest of a variety of major crops here in Florida. Originating in Asia, these tiny insects feed on new growth, leaving plants stunted and reducing the quality of fruit. Spider mites have also been an issue for many growers, as has the fungus disease Pestalotia. Growers have largely been successful in managing the pests through a variety of methods, including predatory mites.
“We put out predatory mites with a drone, and they attack the spider mites and other pests,” says Michael Hill. It’s hard to get spider mites with sprays because they hide so well, so we put out predatory mites every three to four weeks.”
When it comes to the varieties grown, it comes as no surprise that nearly all varieties grown come out of the UF/IFAS strawberry breeding program. The most common varieties are Florida Brilliance, Sweet Sensation, and Florida Medallion, and many growers are experimenting with newer varieties out of UF/IFAS. These include Florida Encore, released in 2023 and so named because it’s an “encore” of its grandparent Florida Brilliance, and Florida Ember, another 2023 variety that boasts a high degree of rain resistance with excellent sweetness and flavor.
“We’re always looking at new varieties that could have a better shelf life and better eating experience for the consumer,” explains Michael Hill.
And consumers are certainly enjoying their strawberries here in Florida.
“Demand for Fresh From Florida strawberries is at an all-time high,” Parker says.
This demand has helped to make this season a success. In fact, demand is so high, it’s even a bit higher than the available supply.
“If we didn’t have good quality, it would be a much more challenging season, but demand has been strong. We just haven’t had enough to meet it,” Michael Hill says.
David Hill agrees.
“Demand is exceeding supply a little bit, but I’m sure that’s going to change when warmer weather hits.”
That demand is not limited to the commercial market; there has also been increased demand for u-pick.
“No matter what the store market is like, people are always coming for u-pick,” says David Hill. “Nothing seems to slow it down. People want the u-pick experience and the sweeter berries it provides.”
