Strawberry and peach crops survived this week's cold spell just fine.

West End peach grower Watts Auman says the temperature did not drop below 34 degrees at his orchard Wednesday morning.

Strawberry grower Richard Pressley says the temperature at his farm on Union Church Road fell to 28 degrees, but he used both covers and sprinkling to protect the young berries. He reports no damage.

Other producers used similar methods to protect their crops this week.

With warm weather predicted for the next week or so, local strawberries should be available at the farm by the end of next week.

This is an especially sensitive time for peaches, which have shed their blossoms and are just beginning to form as fruit. Auman says the crop is usually safe if it makes it through the Easter weekend.