Strawberries are ready for picking at North Carolina farms [Video]

It’s that time of year: strawberry season! Farms across the Piedmont are prepping to open their gates to the public for you-pick season, despite challenges in growing through the winter. The Farm in Dobson is open to school field trips ahead of the official opening day for strawberries on May 10. It is gearing up for families who can pick half-gallon and gallon buckets on three upcoming weekends.While there is a lot of excitement for strawberry picking, there have also been some challenges. At The Farm, strawberry plants look a little different this year compared to last year. Mayghan Watson, owner of The Farm, said the fungal disease neopestalotiopsis, also known as neo-p, was found on some of the starter daughter plants they import from Canada back in September. The disease causes the plant to rot, making some spots a little patchy.Watson said over the course of the winter, they …