BOSTON (AP) — The mild winter and warm spring has pushed up the start of the strawberry season in Massachusetts.

State agriculture officials said Friday that a number of farms have already opened their fields for “pick-your-own” strawberries, about two weeks earlier than usual.

Unseasonably warm temperatures in March gave strawberries a jump start, but many farmers were then faced with the challenge of protecting the fruit during four days of frost.

Read: Guide To Strawberry Picking In Eastern Massachusetts

A number of strawberry festivals are scheduled around the state later this month.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030′s Lana Jones talks about the crop with Andre Tougas of Tougas Farm in Northborough.

The state agriculture office has a list of strawberry picking farms and upcoming events on its website.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.