Fruit Season Off To A Quick Start With Strawberries

Strawberry picking started about two weeks early in Belleville, said Chris Eckert, president and CEO of Eckert’s family farm.

“People are coming out. We are pleased with the amount of traffic,” he said of customers’ interest in the crop.

At Flamm Orchard in Cobden, strawberries started a full 10 days early. “We’re not used to having it that early,” said Mike Flamm. “Demand has been good.”

It looks like apple season may start early this year as well. And Flamm believes a pretty good apple crop could be on the way.

Eckert’s apples look good, too, with no frost damage. They are past bloom and pollination. “We are pleased with the potential,” Eckert said. However, the next challenge is rain and keeping disease at bay, said the eighth-generation farmer.

Eckert is looking forward to The Cider Shed season which features hard cider and live concerts. “It’s been a fun new adventure,” he said of the cider bar that opened in 2022.

Blackberries are also looking good and will likely be ready the first week in June, he said.

Timing is notable this year, Eckert said of what appears to be early fruit seasons in southern Illinois.

Farm Market opening season for Rendleman Orchards is coming near the end of June in Alto Pass. “It may open a week early,” said Wayne Sirles, fifth generation of the family farm. But a cool May could change everything, he said.

Sirles is looking forward to the flower fields and developing the natural pollinator areas. They are working on getting a bee program started to eventually produce their own honey and honey products at Rendleman Orchards which, celebrated its 150th anniversary last year.