October in New England typically evokes images of brightly colored foliage and seasonal fall produce: apples, winter squash, pumpkins, Brussels sprouts and others. As strange as it sounds, this picture of local fall produce may now include fresh strawberries.

Well after our normal June strawberry season is over, you may have noticed strawberries in your local farm stand or market identified as “local.” Before you start questioning the reliability of their claims, take a closer look. Thanks to relatively recent developments in strawberry breeding and production research, those berries may well be locally grown fall strawberries.

Most strawberry varieties, known as “June-bearers,” bear fruit for a very short season that lasts from mid-June through early July. June-bearers are sensitive “daylength,” and flower buds are produced during the short days of fall. Those buds produce fruit the following spring.

In contrast, “dayneutral” varieties can produce flower buds anytime. As a result, they produce ripe fruit starting in August until they are killed by fall frosts. If protected from frost, fresh berries can be harvested even later in the fall. Because they are harvested fresh and not shipped long distances, local “dayneutral” berries usually have outstanding flavor as compared with strawberries shipped across the country.

New England-grown fall strawberries still aren’t very common, in part because they require more intensive management than June-bearers. University of Maine Cooperative Extension Specialist David Handley is conducting studies in cooperation with local farmers to determine which of the newest varieties are best suited to New England growing conditions.

The most popular “dayneutral” strawberry variety among commercial growers is ‘Seascape’. Home gardeners may be more familiar with ‘Tribute’ and ‘Tristar’. These newer varieties are more productive and have higher quality fruit than the older “everbearing” varieties like ‘Ozark Beauty’. Those who want to try their hand at growing “dayneutral” strawberries can find more information from this Cornell University Fact Sheet. Contact your local UNH Cooperative Extension Office for more information.

By Becky Grube, UNH Cooperative Extension Specialist, Sustainable Horticulture Production