Shed still shut as cold spring delays the start of strawberry season

THE opening of Fife’s popular Strawberry Shed has been delayed by a prolonged spell of cold weather.

The shed near Newporton-tay was due to open at the start of this month. But cold temperatures have meant a postponement of at least 12 days.

The shed is operated by Keith Adamson and his wife Ailsa, who work West Friarton Farm near Drumoig.

“It’s just been so cold through most of April,” said Keith.

“We have no forced strawberries on the farm. There is no biodigester heated tunnels and they are all natural in polytunnels.

“Normally we would be kicking off about now and after a couple of half days, be fully open all the way to October.

“We will just have to grin and bear it.

“The strawberries are all natural, so we just have to accept the weather when it comes.”

The shed, just off the Forgan roundabout, attracts many visitors passing by on the busy A92.

West Friarton Farm has been growing strawberries for 18 years and this is the latest they have had to wait to start selling the summer favourite.

Much of the UK experienced a colder and wetter April than usual.

And it has been the colder temperatures during the daytime that have caused the most issues for naturally grown soft fruits.

However, Keith remains positive the shed will be up and running soon.

“The strawberries will come quite quick when it starts,” he said.

“If we got some really good weather it can actually catch up in a couple of days.

“People are desperate to see a bit of sunshine and strawberries to feel as if they’ve come out of a cold hard winter.”

The shed also sells raspberries and blueberries from July onwards and Keith ensures customers are treated to the best varieties.

“I give the customers what I would like to eat and this seems to have worked in the last few years”, he added.

“We hope to have the shop up and running in a couple of weeks’ time, hopefully.

“Weather can again affect us, so we don’t want to disappoint customers with any exact date.”

The summer favourites are not quite ready to harvest.