The heatwave is ruining some strawberry crops in the Montreal area.
Quinn Farm says it normally sees thousands of people at its pick-your-own farm during strawberry season.
This heatwave is doing no favours for strawberry growers like Quinn Farm and Ferme Anse au Sable - customers are staying away from pick-your-own farms, leaving many strawberries to soften and rot under the sun. #CJAD pic.twitter.com/CvxbY07ioP
— Shuyee Lee (@sleeCJAD) July 4, 2018
But the extreme heat has kept customers away, leaving many strawberries to soften and rot under the sun.
Co-owner Phil Quinn said they stand to lose 5000 to 6000 pounds of strawberries - about $18,000 worth.
Quinn Farm co-owner Phil Quinn says they have a handle on strawberry harvesting for their regular sales, jams and baked goods but U-pick harvest is suffering because the heatwave is keeping customers away. As many as 6000 lbs of berries gone to mush. #CJAD pic.twitter.com/mdHVaTCeAj
— Shuyee Lee (@sleeCJAD) July 4, 2018
His neighbour Ferme Anse au Sable is going through the same thing.
Owner Jean Fournel said they don't know how much they'll lose to the heat, adding they lose some crops every year.
Fournel said that ironically, the sun is what's making the strawberries sweeter this year. Last year, the frequent rainy periods produced berries that were more tart.
Fournel said that he hadn't seen such a long heatwave in his 30 years in the business.
Quinn Farm co-owner Phil Quinn says strawberry-picking customers are staying away because of the heat so berries are lying around, rotting under the sun. They can only save so many. #CJAD pic.twitter.com/YTFGlRJdFV
— Shuyee Lee (@sleeCJAD) July 4, 2018