Suzanne's Mom's Blog

Photo: Amy via Louisiana Radio Network.
Do you know where to find the “Strawberry Capital of the World”?

When I was volunteering last spring with the Ukrainian media team, we often chatted by text when work was slow, and Leilya happened to mention that Louisiana was the strawberry capital of the world.

She said the strawberries started in February! This year’s Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival is scheduled for April 14 to 16, so you still have time to get down there.

The festival website says, “Since 1972, the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival has attracted visitors from near and far to celebrate our local strawberry farmers, non-profits, and our special community, flourishing into the largest free harvest festival in the state of Louisiana.”

Events seem to include non-strawberry events, such as rides, an egg toss, and a ceremony for fallen heroes: “Join us in Veterans Square, commonly referred to as the Strawberry Parking Lot, to witness history as we support our Fallen First Responders and Wounded Veterans from 9/11. The Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival is proud to bring the Tunnel To Towers Foundation’s 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit to Louisiana for the first time! This high-tech exhibit will sit among local Veteran booths, representatives from our country’s Military Forces, and the ‘Spirit of Louisiana’ Fire Truck.”

To learn more about the actual strawberries, I turned to the Strawberry Marketing Board, here: “Louisiana’s strawberry industry dates back to the 1800s when the Great Economic Migration brought a wave of Italians and Hungarians to America with hopes of finding work. Many moved to Louisiana and began strawberry farms in the warmer weather and rich soil.”

“The Louisiana State University (LSU) Ag Center, here, adds, “Tangipahoa Parish is still the leading strawberry-producing parish, growing 75% of the total acres in Louisiana and accounting for 79% of the state’s total gross farm value. Louisiana strawberries can be found in grocery stores, farmers markets and roadside stands as early as November, December and January.

“Early fall is the time to plant strawberries. Home gardeners can successfully grow strawberries with even a small area, plenty of sun and some TLC. … Strawberry plants are typically sold in local garden centers as bare-root plants, but they also can be found as transplants. Plants can be purchased online, too.

“In Louisiana, we need to plant short-day or day-neutral strawberry varieties. Short-day plants begin to produce flowers when the days shorten during fall and winter. They initiate flower buds when there is 14 hours of daylight per day or less. Day neutral means day length doesn’t affect flower production. These strawberries will blossom and set fruit no matter how long or short the days are.”

There was also a piece at Fox News, here.

Every year there are signs that spring is on its way. One of the earliest comes on Feb. 27 when National Strawberry Day is observed.

“While the industry has shrunk over the decades, Southeast Louisiana still holds a strong presence in the strawberry industry with most of the production concentrated in the eastern part of the Florida Parishes.”

The state’s marketing board website, also notes, “The crop peaked in 1931, with Tangipahoa Parish becoming the most important center of distribution as farms along the City of New Orleans rail line could ship as far north as Chicago and even by commercial truck on Highway 51. The activity was so heavy in the area that there was a boom of people moving into the area to farm and experiment with the fertile soil and temperatures to create new breeds of berries.

“The Klondyke strawberry was cultivated in Tangipahoa Parish around the Independence area and the name was given to reflect how the growing industry at the time was like the ‘gold rush’ that occurred in the American west and Alaska just prior to the Civil War.

“Today, most Louisiana farms are small and independently run and some allow the public to come to pick their own berries to buy on-site.”

“The Louisiana radio network noted in February that the crop did not get the ideal weather this year.

“As we approach the peak of strawberry season, Springfield strawberry farmer, Trey Harris said it’s been a tough year so far weather-wise. He said production is down from this time last year, but the current unseasonably warm temps are speeding things up.

“ ‘But I see a lot of blooms, a lot of green fruit coming really strong right now. We’ve just to … hope that we can get some really sunny days like today and cold nights so we don’t just get overflooded with berries right now,’ said Harris.

“Harris said highs in the 80s and lows in the 70s are causing a growth spurt among strawberries. And while you might assume strawberry farmers welcome rain, Harris said they are able to control water consumption, and too much water and fog at this point can affect the taste of strawberries.

“ ‘We really don’t want rain at all, we don’t want any rain on the strawberries because it’s going to make them taste like water,’ said Harris. … He said its vital residents support locally grown berries now more than ever.

“ ‘That’s why it’s very important that the people in Louisiana buy strawberries from all of us local farmers. We only have a few Louisiana strawberry… maybe 15 farmers left.’ ”