Strawberry picking at Brandenburg encounters turbulence - Strawberry picking by individuals kicked off in Brandenburg
In Brandenburg, the strawberry picking season has commenced with some challenges due to late frosts in May. Self-pickers are advised to verify opening hours in advance, as temporary closures may occur. Numerous farms offer hotlines and update their websites regularly with the latest information regarding their status.
The frost was particularly severe in Potsdam, resulting in Neumann's Erntegarten not yet offering self-picking. Martina Neumann from Neumann's Erntegarten expresses that they anticipate harvesting in around three weeks due to the frozen first blossoms at the start of May.
The Berlin Beer Garden shut its gardens in Oranienburg, Schönfließ, Hoppegarten, and Gatow on Wednesday, as there were no ripe fruits available. The company's website notes that they can only remain open as long as there are sufficient ripe fruits, which may necessitate abrupt closures in the future.
The Pomona Garden Building operation in Ahrensfelde/Elisenau utilizes a WhatsApp channel to notify customers about the thriving varieties and the current opening hours. Business manager Reiner Matthes asserts that he plans to implement more robust protective measures against climate risks in the future, as large parts of his strawberry harvest were devastated by the late frost.
The BB Brandenburg Fruit GmbH suggests that customers check for updates on opening hours, as temporary closures may occur during the first few days to allow the fruits to ripen. Moreover, the cultivation of strawberries in Brandenburg has been dwindling, with fewer fruits being harvested in open fields. The association attributes this decline to escalating operating costs, energy prices, wage increases, and legal requirements related to plant protection.
For specific strawberry picking locations, such as Spargelhof Klaistow near Berlin, there is currently insufficient information on their current status. Thus, it is advisable to verify directly with the farm or local sources for the most accurate and up-to-date information on opening times and strawberry availability.
In areas less affected by the frost, the strawberry picking season may proceed as normal; however, it is essential to verify with local farms before visiting. Innovative measures like agrivoltaics, which combine agriculture with energy production, are being explored as potential solutions to mitigate future climate risks.
For outdoor activities and events in Brandenburg, the 30th Brandenburg Country Outing is scheduled for June 14-15, 2025, providing opportunities to learn more about local farming conditions.
- Despite the challenging beginning of the strawberry picking season, various community policies have been implemented by farms in Brandenburg to ensure updated information is available for self-pickers, such as hotlines, website updates, and WhatsApp notifications.
- As the focus on sustainable living continues, some home-and-garden operations in Brandenburg are exploring innovative methods like agrivoltaics to combat climate risks, aiming to create a more resilient lifestyle for future seasons.