article_snippet: Meanwhile, the early bursts of spring sunshine and a mild winter have seen this year's first crop of strawberries arrive a week early.
article_snippet: The first homegrown strawberries of 2015 will arrive in supermarkets tomorrow - days ahead of schedule.
article_snippet: And with temperatures set to reach 16C this weekend, the arrival of the strawberries at Tesco stores is a clear sign that spring is around the corner.
article_snippet: Traditionally, the earliest home grown strawberries come from either Kent, Sussex or Hampshire but this year growers in Wales have won the race to produce the first.
article_snippet: Tesco berry buyer Harriet Turnbull said: 'This is a real coup for Wales which only began growing strawberries on a commercial scale two years ago. '
article_snippet: These berries, grown in the Rhymney Valley, near Cardiff, will put Wales on the UK's strawberry growing map.'
article_snippet: Kayleigh Cottle, 29, picks the first strawberries of the year at Haygrove Nursery in Wales .
article_snippet: The variety of the Welsh-grown strawberries is called Driscoll's Lusa and has been selected because of Driscoll's Lusa consistent, sweet taste.
article_snippet: The British strawberry season can now last for up to nine months - a whole four months longer than last decade years ago when winters were longer and harsher.
article_snippet: Ms Turnbull added: 'The arrival of the first home grown strawberries brings about a real feel good factor - not only does it herald the start of British summer time but it is also the start of the UK produce growing season.'
highlights_snippet: Early bursts of spring and a milder winter have led to the year's first crop of strawberries arriving a week early .
  