North Carolina is known for its delicious strawberries. In fact, they were even designated as the official red berry of the state. Typically, these berries are only in season in late spring, but Lewis Nursery and Farms in Pender County has found a way to keep harvesting them throughout the winter, using tunnels to grow "winter berries."
Cal Lewis has been growing berries his whole life. “It’s just my passion,” Lewis said. “Ever since I was a little boy, my dad did it, my granddad did it, I guess it’s just what I know, and I enjoy it. I enjoy the heck out of it.”
At Lewis Nursery and Farms, they grow strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries, all of which traditionally blossom and produce fruit in the spring and summer. Lewis, however, has found a way to produce berries throughout the winter also. It’s all thanks to the farm’s protective tunnels.
“We have these tunnels that allows heat to build up during the day,” Lewis explained. “And when the temperatures get down below 32 at night, we have these covers that we’ll pull over and keep them protected.” Those tunnels aren’t like a typical green house, with full coverage, heat and an adjustable light schedule. Lewis says they’re simply a way of protecting the plant from harsh winter conditions. This kind of protection costs $50,000 an acre.
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