In Burgaw, eastern North Carolina, some farmers are already finding berries due to the warm temperatures experienced in December. Experts have said that the early bloom could mean a smaller and earlier spring crop, but it all depends on the weather.
To protect the berries, many farmers will cover them until the picking season arrives. Brunswick County Extension Director Mark Blevins said, "Flower and buds that are already set, have to be protected. And so farmers are going to be covering those crops and uncovering them on warmer days so that we all have strawberries to eat this spring."
Experts say that strawberries are impacted the most by cold temperatures. They typically start blooming early to mid-April.
Source: twcnews.com