Strawberry Harvest in South Carolina Has Delayed Start After Harsh Winter

Strawberry picking season has started across South Carolina. Freezing temperatures pushed opening day back five days and damaged crops statewide. Cottle Strawberry Farm in Hopkins welcomed its first visitors this week after winter weather stunted plant growth.

Hunter Bulloch co-owns Cottle Strawberry Farm. He said January's freezing temperatures hurt the plants because Cottle's acreage spans too many fields to cover every plant quickly when frost threatens.

"For us we just saw that it was much lighter than last year, and so, we're working with fewer days which is difficult for us because if we only have 70 or 75 days to harvest our crop and we lose 5 of those days of the season, you know, that's a decent amount, so it can make all of the difference," Bulloch said, per WRDW.

Not only have dropping temperatures threatened farmers, but fuel and fertilizer costs have climbed. These rising expenses squeeze profit margins for growers across the state.

Families who visited Hopkins said they want to help local growers survive. Tori Blevins picked berries at the operation.

Bulloch said Cottle Strawberry Farm offers more than fruit. The operation has added crops and built an agritourism park over several years, creating activities for families who visit.