Weather whiplash splits strawberry season across Manitoba
Early-season fruit growers in Manitoba are coping with a sharply divided year after a cool spring and late-June flooding battered fields across the province. While some strawberry farms have closed for the season due to storm damage, others report healthy yields and busy fields following a delayed start.
Several rural municipalities in western Manitoba declared local disasters after heavy rainfall at the end of June, compounding a slow, cool spring that already pushed fruit development behind schedule. As a result, some U-pick operators never opened their gates, while others postponed opening dates, repaired damage and waited for a burst of heat to ripen fruit.
Closures underscore uneven impact
Star Berry Patch near Starbuck confirmed it will not offer strawberries this year after weather wiped out its crop. In a July 6 post, owners Colin and Lisa Knockaert told customers the patch would remain shut.
“We are heartbroken to announce that the weather has destroyed our crop for this year,” the Knockaerts wrote.
The farm, which also maintains about an acre of raspberries, said it plans to open for raspberry season later in July if conditions hold. The closure highlights how localized downpours and standing water can erase an entire harvest for small-acreage horticulture producers.
Farther west, photos taken June 30 showed water washing over roads near Neepawa a day after another round of flooding rain — a snapshot of the saturated conditions that challenged growers provincewide.
Heat wave brings a late but strong pick for some
Other producers are reporting a better outcome. At Rosewell Farms Strawberries near Roland, owner Jonathan Wiebe said a cool spring pushed the season later but did not cause major damage. A spurt of heat in mid-July helped concentrate ripening and draw pickers back to the fields.
“With the temperatures being cool, it was a late start, but that’s the only impact we’ve experienced here,” he said. “It’s been pretty good now.”
Wiebe added that customers were pleased with the fruit as the patch hit its stride. On July 13, he noted there were “a lot of happy pickers” on site as berries came on quickly during the warm spell.
What customers should know before heading out
Conditions can change quickly during a compressed harvest window. After heavy rains, fields may close for recovery or limit access to protect plants and soil. Conversely, heat can speed ripening and shorten the picking period. Prospective visitors should confirm status before leaving home and expect day-to-day adjustments.
- Check each farm’s website or social media for daily opening times, field conditions and price updates.
- Bring appropriate footwear; recent storms may leave muddy rows and limited parking areas.
- Expect cash or e-transfer at some rural sites; amenities vary by farm.
- Watch for alternative crops — some farms may open raspberries later in July even if strawberries are done.
Small farms face high stakes
The split season underscores how vulnerable small fruit operations are to shoulder-season weather. Unlike annual grains that can sometimes rebound later in the summer, strawberries are tied to a narrow harvest window. Flooding, hail or prolonged cool nights can reduce yields or wipe out marketable fruit entirely, leaving farms with few options to recoup costs until next year.
At the same time, timely warmth can transform a slow start into a strong, albeit shortened, season. This year’s pattern left some producers shuttered while neighbours only a few kilometres away reported bumper crops — a patchwork familiar to growers but frustrating for customers trying to plan outings.
Where the season stands now
Here’s a snapshot of two operations highlighted by recent updates from growers:
| Farm | Location | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Star Berry Patch | Near Starbuck | Closed for strawberries | Owners say weather destroyed this year’s crop; plan to open for raspberries later in July. |
| Rosewell Farms Strawberries | Near Roland | Open | Late start due to cool temperatures; recent heat improved ripening and customer turnout. |
Given the variability, Manitobans looking for U-pick experiences should monitor announcements closely over the next two weeks. Operators say the combination of soil saturation and swift ripening can force rapid changes to hours and availability.
For farms that lost their season, attention now shifts to field recovery and planning for next year, along with diversification into later crops where possible. For those still open, the message is simple: come soon, pick early and prepare for conditions underfoot.
