Strawberry harvesting by oneself commences in Brandenburg

Strawberry self-harvesting season faces rough start in Brandenburg - Strawberry harvesting by oneself commences in Brandenburg

Strawberry Self-Picking in Brandenburg: Uneven Start Amid Late Frosts and Operational Challenges

Farmers in Brandenburg are encouraging potential strawberry pickers to verify opening hours before visiting, as abrupt closures may occur due to fluctuations in ripeness. Multiple farms provide hotlines and updates on their websites about the current situation. Cold spells in Mayhave affected berry development in some areas, resulting in delayed harvests or sporadic fruit availability.

In Potsdam, Neumann's Erntegarten is yet to initiate self-picking activities because of the adverse impact of late frosts. "Our harvest is anticipated to commence in approximately three weeks," states Martina Neumann from Neumann's Erntegarten, citing the frozen early blossoms due to the cold snap earlier in May.

The Berlin Beer Garden, with locations in Oranienburg, Schönfließ, Hoppegarten, and Gatow, closed its gardens midweek due to the absence of ripe strawberries. The company's website notes a possible need for short-term closures as fruit readiness dictates staying open.

Pomona Gartenbau in Ahrensfelde/Elisenau utilizes a WhatsApp channel to inform customers about thriving strawberry varieties and current opening hours. Farm owner Reiner Matthes plans to enhance climate risk protection measures for future cultivation, considering the future incorporation of Agri-Photovoltaic systems to shield strawberry plantations from extreme temperatures. The implementation of these systems would see solar modules acting as protective roofs over strawberry fields.

BB Brandenburg Obst GmbH advises customers to confirm opening hours, with possible repeated closures to allow fruits time to ripen during the initial days of the season.

The dwindling cultivation of strawberries in Brandenburg is attributed to the Garden Building Association Berlin-Brandenburg's estimate, highlighting a reduction in open-field harvests. Approximately 60 gardening businesses in the region cultivate strawberries, attempting to weather economic pressures—fueled by increasing costs for operating materials, energy, higher wages, and regulatory requirements in plant protection.

Spargelhof Klaistow, located near the Brandenburg-Berlin border, is a well-known farm offering strawberry picking experiences, featuring self-picking, animal encounters, and cafés. Their strawberry fields are open daily from 09:00 to 18:00 during the season. Other Brandenburg strawberry farms are anticipated to open or continue self-picking activities as the main harvest season unfolds.

For more information and updated hours, visitors are encouraged to check official farm websites or social media platforms, as seasonal conditions can influence availability. The Brandenburg Country Outing (June 14–15) offers opportunities to explore local farms and learn about their strawberry self-picking offerings.

1. Amidst the operational challenges and delayed harvests due to late frosts, various farms in Brandenburg have implemented measures to communicate fruit availability, such as hotlines, website updates, and WhatsApp channels.
2. Despite the unfavorable lifestyle, food-and-drink trends associated with strawberry self-picking in Brandenburg being affected by climatic conditions, farms are looking towards innovative solutions like Agri-Photovoltaic systems for future climate risk protection in home-and-garden cultivation.

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