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Another strawberry season takes root in Plant City

 
Jose Gasar, left, and Onesima Hernandez push young strawberry plants into the soil Monday morning at Simmons Farms in Plant City.
Jose Gasar, left, and Onesima Hernandez push young strawberry plants into the soil Monday morning at Simmons Farms in Plant City.
Published Oct. 1, 2013

PLANT CITY — Area strawberry growers have started planting the cherished strawberries in eastern Hillsborough County this week.

Workers pushed young plants into the ground at Simmons Farms in Plant City on Monday morning.

The field, one of several the farm has at State Road 60 and Mud Lake Road, is about 19 acres and will be planted with 350,000 Radiant variety of strawberry plant.

Grower Billy Simmons hopes to start harvesting in November. Simmons is also going to try a new variety of strawberry plant called Florida Sensation, which is supposed to yield a bigger, firmer berry. He will also plant a variety called Festival.

Simmons Farms berries are sold under the Wish Farms label.