FARMERS and shop owners across the county are enjoying a bumper strawberry season this year – and a top local grower says we could be picking them until September.
The good weather has led to a huge increase in stock and sales and an improvement in flavour .
The warmest April in the last 100 years, a wet and mild May and a dry, hot start to the summer has created the perfect growing conditions for soft fruits. Sir John Starkey, owner of Starkey's Fruit in Southwell, hopes to produce 400 tonnes of strawberries this year, an increase of more than 40 tonnes on last year's target.
His business sells strawberries to major supermarket chains as well as local farm shops and fruiterers.
He said: "We began picking in early May this year. When the season starts late it can cause problems. The sunshine helps, particularly with the flavour. I think the season could go on into September as long as the sun is shining we should be able to keep producing."
Retailers across the country have already announced massive strawberry sales – Marks and Spencer reported at the beginning of the month that they had sold 20 million strawberries in seven days. Angela Spowage, shop floor manager at Gonalston Farm Shop near Lowdham, said 2014 has been an exceptionally good year for them.
She said: "We're selling hundreds of punnets a week – last week we sold 443 and we're averaging about 500.
"I think the sales have increased this year by about 20 per cent because of the good growing season.
"You never know when the crop might run out, but if the weather stays good it could keep going."
Nottingham gardeners have joined in too, with allotment holders reporting good crops.
Phil Clare, chairman of Nottingham-based Whitemoor Allotments said the fruit was a big a hit, as always.
He said: "Everyone grows strawberries and some of them have been marvellous this year. Everyone loves them – it's because of their great taste and that they are traditionally English fare."
