NASHVILLE (AP) - The state's strawberry crop looks to be the best in years, despite recent frosts.

The Agriculture Department's Tammy Algood says the mild winter and warm spring mean the fruit is closer to being ripe than in a typical year. That means it has increased sugar levels which make it more cold tolerant.

Algood also says growers are used to close calls and are set up to react to cold weather.

Strawberry lovers can find a directory of strawberry patches and farmers markets at www.picktnproducts.org.

Algood advises calling ahead if you plan to visit a strawberry patch. She says a patch filled with ripe berries on Friday could be picked clean by Saturday, then ready for another crowd by Tuesday.