Handley speaks with BDN about strawberry season’s strong start
David Handley, a University of Maine Cooperative Extension specialist of vegetables and small fruits, spoke with the Bangor Daily News for the article, “Maine’s strawberry season off to strong start.” Overall, it should be a good season in Maine for strawberries, according to Handley. The cool spring weather slowed down the start of the season, he said, but it hasn’t affected the yield or the quality of the fruit. “We’re kind of unique [in the country] that our strawberry season matches so well with the start of summer and the Fourth of July holiday,” he said. “I think we’ll have a really good crop of strawberries for the Fourth of July.” When planning to pick your own berries, Handley encourages people to call ahead to the farm and find out what their hours and conditions are. “If the hot weather does come, things will ripen very quickly,” he said. “I think the next two weekends are where the peak of the crop will be.” Handley also spoke with The Ellsworth American about this year’s crop.