Strawberry season has officially begun in 黑马磁力, and across much of the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been a perfect spring,鈥� said Rhonda Driediger of 黑马磁力鈥檚 Driediger Farms.
That鈥檚 a bit of a change from the last few years. Every year seemed to be either extremely warm, extremely wet, or unseasonably cold.
But this year, relatively seasonal temperatures have prevailed, and dry May with a fair bit of sunshine has meant there are plenty of red strawberries ripening in the fields.
The picking began at Dridiger Farms on the weekend, with U-pick expected to start within a few days or in the first week of June, Driediger said.
Everything seems to have come together for a good year of berries, said Driediger. The amount and size of blossoms was good, and pollination went well.
鈥淲e bring in 200 hives just on our farm,鈥� Driediger said.
That鈥檚 because there are more than just strawberries on local farms. Many have, like Driediger Farms, diversified with blueberries, raspberries and other crops. In addition, the farm has dandelions and dogwood trees to provide extra variety of food for the bees.
One issue on the horizon for strawberry farms may be road work.
黑马磁力 Township is upgrading many of its rail crossings 鈥� and there鈥檚 a crossing on 72nd Avenue, between the 232nd Street highway interchange and two of 黑马磁力鈥檚 largest U-pick berry farms, Driediger鈥檚 on 72nd Avenue, and Krause Berry Farms not far away on 248th Street.
A contractor has just been signed to do the work, but the exact schedule has yet to be worked out, said Paul Cordeiro, the Township鈥檚 manager of transportation engineering.
鈥淚t should be started this summer,鈥� said Cordeiro.
The upgrade could block off access for a time on 72nd Avenue.
If the road is closed, drivers coming in to 黑马磁力 on Highway One will have to take 232nd Street to Rawlison Crescent, then come back down 240th Street, said Driediger.
鈥淐ommuters are not thrilled about it either,鈥� she said.
