The mild spring has made way for an early start to the strawberry season, even in the northern counties of our viewing area.
Strawberries at Pallman Farms near Clarks Summit are ripe and ready for the picking, about two weeks early.
"They're very juicy, and sweet and nice and big," said Michelle Gundling.
"It's beautiful, they're such beautiful berries," Angelina Vanness added.
"This is very unusual due to the warm spring that we had, warm winter," said Pallman Farms owner Brian Pallman. "We don't stop mother nature. We have no control over that."
The fields are filled with berries but are lacking customers. Farmers said they just don't think many people know the crops are ready yet, but not everyone has been caught off guard.
"I'm not surprised. I kind of figured it would be a little early this year and I think they're gorgeous, and I'm just happy that they're such beautiful berries and we'll be making jam later," Vanness said.
The early kickoff to berry season also means the berries won't be around for the picking as long as usual.
"Strawberry season is a very short season. They only last so long. They only stay red so long and we need the people out to pick them," Pallman said.
Usually families can pick this fresh fruit until about the Fourth of July, but that won't be the case this year. Most of these strawberries are expected to be gone by the last week of June.
Many local families make strawberry picking trips with their young ones a tradition.
"My favorite part is just being able to take these berries home and make some strawberry shortcake, that's also a tradition," said Gundling.
Pallman hopes more families make their way out to the farm to enjoy the harvest that only lasted 13 days last year.
"The strawberries are out here, all we need all we need are the people to enjoy the fruits of the harvest."
You can stop by Pallman Farms in South Abington Township near Clarks Summit Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.