AC Valley Sunset (MA)

Quick Facts

• Type: June-bearing strawberry
• Season: Late-season, ripening about 5–7 days after Cabot
• Flavor: Sweet, pleasant flavor suited to fresh eating and desserts
• Berry: Large, shiny, light red berries with white flesh and somewhat softer skin
• Plant habit: Vigorous plants with generally healthy foliage and no major disease concerns reported
• Best for: Local fresh markets and home gardens looking to extend the strawberry season
• Hardiness & disease: Good overall vigor and foliage health; variable yields depending on site and management

AC Valley Sunset is a newer late-season strawberry that helps push the harvest well past many standard June-bearers. Plants show good vigor and produce large, attractive berries that are lighter red on the outside with white flesh inside. The flavor is sweet and pleasant, making the fruit especially nice for fresh eating, shortcake, and late-season dessert use when other varieties are finished.

Because the berries have somewhat softer skin, AC Valley Sunset is best suited for local fresh market sales and home use rather than long-distance shipping. Growers appreciate the clean foliage and lack of obvious disease issues on the plants, though yields can be somewhat variable from site to site. For farms and gardens wanting to add a late, sweet strawberry to stretch the season, AC Valley Sunset is a strong candidate.

For layout and plant count guidance for late-season June-bearing strawberries, see our Strawberry Spacing & Planting Guide before planting.