Not a good year for Strawberries

If this is your first year expecting berries (installed plants last year) don't be dismayed. This is NOT a normal season for berries. If you had good luck, consider yourself lucky. Two factors in play here: too much rain & a couple of scorching days which 'bake' the berries on the vine. Even if they have ample water (has that been a problem?) they are still exposed the sun & heat. Younger plants will have their 'berries' more exposed as the leaf canopy may not be as large as it should be next year. Even the ugly, small berries can make great jam, not so pretty in a pie.

Seen a few spittle bugs on the leaves this year. (posted above in photos )They will be hiding under a small pile of froth. It looks like some guy just spit on the plants. We know a lady wouldn't do that right? Under the froth will be a small lime green insect with dark eyes. Very easy to catch & smash and doesn't leave much residue on your hand. =) They are a 'piercing/sucking' insect. Poking a hole the leaf and sucking out the water/nutrients. They won't kill a plant, but destroy them, large population would not be good.