RIPENING — Strawberries ripen in the sun at the Arkansas Berry Company, Judsonia, Arkansas. Taken April 7, 2026. | UADA photo by Amanda McWhirt
By MARY HIGHTOWER | University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
Arkansas’ strawberry crop is not only looking good, but is also running a little early this year, said Amanda McWhirt, extension fruit and vegetable specialist for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
Good thing too. Berries are flying off the shelves at the Ferndale Market, which noted on its Facebook page last week that it twice sold out of the fruit.
“Many growers across the state have been picking for seven days or more now,” McWhirt said on Monday.
“Generally, there has only been minor damage from the mid-March freeze,” she said. “Some blooms were killed in that event which will delay the start of the season for some growers in northwest Arkansas.”
On the plus side, there’s been little disease, likely due to the very dry conditions statewide.
“Growers are irrigating more this year than what has been typical in years past because of how dry it is,” she said.
“Despite the freeze, I think we are still running a tad early, so there will be fruit for Mother’s Day!” she said. “Hopefully temperatures stay cool and we can have a nice long season. If it gets too warm too early — with temps in the upper 80s-90s — things will start shutting down.”
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. To learn more about ag and food research in Arkansas, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station at aaes.uada.edu.
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