In Arkansas, the strawberry season has commenced earlier than usual by one to two weeks, with expectations for the peak period to occur in late April or early May. Amanda McWhirt, a specialist at the University of Arkansas, attributed the early peak to warmer temperatures and effective protection of the plants during cooler spells. Despite minor damage from ice and snow, strategies such as the use of row covers facilitated the plants' recovery and growth.
Randy Arnold, president of the Mid-American Strawberry Growers Association, noted minimal damage to his strawberry plants, with the first harvest beginning on April 1. Demand for strawberries has been high, with Arnold's farm selling 900 pounds of strawberries in a single day. Similarly, Barnhill Orchards in Central Arkansas reported an early start to their season, introducing a new strawberry variety, Ruby Junes, which has been well-received by customers. The orchard planted an additional acre of strawberries this year, anticipating the peak harvest to occur in the first or second week of May.
Source: stuttgartdailyleader.com