After Late Start, Minn. Strawberries Looking Good

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Minnesota's strawberry season is looking short but sweet.

Cool, wet weather this spring has delayed the growing season across Minnesota. Growers expect the strawberry harvest will start about three weeks later this year. But experts say the strawberry crop is looking good.

Thaddeus McCamant of Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls consults berry growers statewide. McCamant says it's unlikely that many berry farms will open for picking much before June 20.

In central Minnesota, grower Julie Townsend of Dassel Hillside Farm says last year's strawberry harvest began around June 10. But this year she expects berries to ripen toward the end of June and continue into the first two weeks of July.

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