RACHEL Jowett of Bake Farm, near Coombe Bissett, is at a loss to understand recent reports in the media of a disastrous strawberry harvest – she is experiencing possibly the best harvest she has ever had. The only problem she has encountered is that the wet weather has deterred people from visiting to pick their own.

Another Wiltshire PYO is also experiencing a bumper crop. Karren Price of Ansty PYO and Farm Shop said: “Stories appearing in the press are suggesting the soft fruit season is not good this year, but that is not our experience. The colder than usual weather and the seemingly constant rain have meant the crop is a good three weeks later than last year, but the fruit is wonderful. We grow our strawberries using the table top system, which not only makes them easier to pick, it aids ventilation thus helping prevent disease.”

Part of the reason Bake Farm has not had problems is that they use traditional straw bedding underneath the plants, which prevents the crop being damaged by wet weather and which, together with constant weeding, allows the wind to dry out the plants, thereby stopping the development of disease. Mrs Jowett said: “I discussed this with my agronomist, who suggested the reason we are having such a bumper crop is that we rotate the strawberries with arable crops and the break reduces the risk of disease. He also said that, through using straw instead of plastic, rain can run through and the strawberries are not wet for so long.

“Our crop is looked after from the end of fruiting, cleaned up immediately and preparations for the next year are started as soon as possible. We are also helped by our position on the top of a hill, so that the frost runs down the hill. We demonstrated this this year, as the bed higher up ripened ten days earlier than the lower one.

“Wildflower strips around the farm also help as they encourage bumble bees and other pollinators, meaning fertilisation has not suffered.”

Ansty PYO and Farm Shop, half way between Salisbury and Shaftesbury on the A30, was recently awarded the Agricultural Business of the Year Award for the Blackmore Vale area. Up against tough competition, the winners were announced at a black tie ceremony on June 28 at The George Albert Hotel, near Dorchester. Karren Price said: “We are delighted our business has been awarded such a prestigious accolade. It makes all our hard work and effort seem worthwhile.

I would like to say a heartfelt thanks to all our staff.” Karren’s business sells a lot more than strawberries. There is a wide range of soft fruits and vegetables, local beef, lamb, chicken and pork, cakes, ready (homemade) cooked meals and a café, while Rachel makes jams and jellies, which she both sells and uses for her cream teas.