Early Raspberry, Strawberry Harvest Expands UK Production Amid Warm Weather

Early berry seasons are emerging worldwide, with raspberries arriving ahead of schedule in Oregon due to an unusually warm spring, prompting local U-Pick farms to open earlier than usual. Similarly, British growers have seen an early start to strawberry and raspberry production, leveraging innovative planting techniques to extend the harvesting season into late fall, despite concerns of potential shortages later. In Japan, research shows that using nighttime LED supplemental lighting in tropical and subtropical greenhouses enhances the growth and yield of everbearing strawberry cultivars by stabilizing flower bud differentiation and increasing cumulative light interception. Meanwhile, gardeners are advised to manage strawberry runners carefully by removing them in June to prevent overcrowding and ensure larger fruit yields, as runners divert energy from fruit production and can increase pest risks. These developments reflect a global interest in optimizing berry cultivation and harvesting practices amid changing climate conditions and consumer demand.