Southern Wisconsin's First Fruit Crop Is Ready, Strawberry Season is Here 

he right balance of moisture, sunshine, and warm weather are the sweet trifecta for any berry growing season's success. Last year's late May frost shortened the strawberry season diminishing the window for available berries to consumers. This year, a cold and cloudy Spring, means somewhat delayed yield according to Richard Schroeder of Schroeder Produce in Cambridge. "Everyone (berry farmers) we've talked to said they have decent plant quality, decent berry quality," says Schroeder.

That delays this year's season for those waiting anxiously for the start of strawberry season. Schroeder Produce it will open in the second week of June as of May 30th. The farm typically opens in late May. Schroeder says the decision to open is weather dependent and varies from town to town, and across the state. Since the season is relatively short when compared to other prized state consumer crops like corn or apple season berry farmers have to be patient and resourceful. There are some variables in the growing cycle farmers can to some extent control. Typically, 90% of strawberry farms across the state require some form of irrigation according to Schroeder. And regardless of weather conditions the water through the system is always running. Irrigation helps Protect strawberry flowers from frost in the spring.


Straw is another ingredient for success. Obviously, if any of the strawberries touch the soil they become mushy and inedible. Some area farms employing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) use oat straw or sawdust and mulch around the plants in November. According to Julie at Creek Bed Country Farmacy in Poynette her farm employs IPM and rotates their strawberry crops every four years, cutting the plants down to the ground at the end of the season.


Another key ingredient for a viable strawberry season, farmers often grow a number of varieties at the same time. Creek Bed Country Farmacy grows seven varieties of strawberry. Each variety has its’ own June maturation date. Since the season typically runs between two to four weeks harvesting strawberries follows a bell curve. Schroeder described the cycling through the varieties as: slow picking at the season's beginning, high (lucrative) picking in the middle, and a slow down at the end.


Most of all, strawberry season is about nurturing a connectedness between local farmers and the public. Families can talk openly with their local farmers. Kids can learn about where their food comes from and find inspiration in walking around a working farm and picking berries. That sense of farm, family and community is very apparent when you visit the Lutz Family Farm in Marshall. Following the gravel drive up to the Lutz family's farm brings a sense of calm and being home. Each Lutz family member plays a key role in the operation. Their strawberries are great as well but please check the Lutz Family's Berry line to make certain chance to out into the patch to pick your own. According to the Lutz Family's website as of May 30th, their u-pick strawberry season will begin sometime soon. Many farms are anticipating their seasons to start the 10th of June. Creek Bed Country Farmacy anticipates a June opening. Their strawberry season typically runs 17 to 21 days. Country Bed Country Farmacy is also supplying the strawberries for the 38th annual Strawberry Fest & Craft Fair in Sun Prairie (June 21st.)


There are so many great farms in our area growing strawberries. Here are just a few well-known places

listed below to check out during the season. 


AREA STRAWBERRY GROWERS:



Blue Clay Berry Farm


5154 State Rd 50

Delavan, WI, 53115

Phone: (262) 745-3720


Creek Bed Country Farmacy


Address: N2767 Mountford Rd

Poynette, WI, 53955

Phone: (608) 635-8798



Jelli's Market


N5648 S Farmington Road

Helenville, WI, 53137

Phone: (262) 593-5133


Lutz Family Farm


1477 County Road T

Marshall WI, 53559

Phone: (608) 655-3664



Schroeder Produce


N3420 E. Rockdale Rd.

Cambridge, WI 53523 

Phone: (608) 695-0342



Skelly's Farm Market


2713 S Hayner Rd,

Janesville, WI 53548 

Phone: (608) 757 -1200