Tasty fruit worth the wait

STRAWBERRY TIME: George Vezich is busy at his State Highway 16 strawberry farm.

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Strawberry lovers have had to wait to appease their tastes but the season is now getting into full swing.

A warm September offered the promise of an early start, but the coldest October in 64 years put paid to that.

Recent sun and higher temperatures are ensuring good crops of big, ripe fruit, averaging about two punnets for $5.

"They’re very popular right now," says Phil Greig of Greigs Strawberry Gardens in Kumeu. "We have just enough to meet demand."

The cold snap impacted on growers down country, so many strawberries are going to fill the void. He employs up to 160 pickers in the mid-November peak season.

Weather permitting, Mr Greig expects plenty of quality strawberries around for Christmas.

The season ends about late January.

Further down State Highway 16 grower George Vezich agrees the seasons shaping up well after a slow start.

- © Fairfax NZ News