Savor the sweetness: Explore the delights of strawberry season at Sumter's own Dorr Farms

Coming out of the frigid winter months into the warmth of spring, there's one vibrant red fruit looking to make your acquaintance: the strawberry.

With its delectable sweetness and refreshing tang, strawberry season allows folks to indulge in versatile dishes that are sure to make friends, family and fans of the speckled fruit rejoice.

Strawberry season varies throughout the South, with the season beginning in February for Florida and late May or June for Tennessee, Arkansas, Virginia and parts of North Carolina. However, for South Carolina, prime berry season begins in late April. The season lasts for about three weeks, depending on the number of warm days. Rain, snow and cool weather can slow the ripening process and push out the window of strawberry season.

But all seems to be well for Dorr Farms, at 5225 Dorr Acres Road in Gable. The family owned farm opened its strawberry patch in March. Since then, the patch, filled with bundles of the seed-specked fruit, has greeted guests of all ages who visit on field trips, family outings or for some fun in the sun. Strawberries are picked by the gallon or half gallon from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or until the patch is picked over.

Strawberries will stop ripening once picked, so if you see any white or green edges to the berries, leave them be, as they will not have the sweetness you're looking for. According to Southern Living, for the best batch, look for strawberries that are deep red in color, have a shiny, smooth texture and vibrant green stems, medium firmness and a distinct strawberry scent.

Once you have your juicy treasure in hand, then comes the question: What to do with them?

If you're looking to dive in immediately, wash your berries, dry them off and enjoy. If you're looking to save them, don't wash them as soon as you get home, as water introduces moisture, which invites mold and may make the berries mushy quickly. Instead, transfer strawberries out of the container, sort out any spoiled or bruised berries, and put the rest into a glass storage container.

Though delicious on their own, when you're looking to turn your plain berries into a delicious treat, Dorr Farms has the perfect recipe for a No Bake Strawberry Lasagna that will surely make your taste buds berry happy.

NO BAKE STRAWBERRY LASAGNA

INGREDIENTS

2 cups of strawberries, sliced

2 cups of heavy cream

1 package (8 oz,) cream cheese, softened

½ cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons milk

1 package graham crackers

¼ cup melted butter

½ cup white chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS

In a mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Set aside.

In another mixing bowl, mix the softened cream cheese with sugar, vanilla extract and milk until smooth.

Fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture gently until well combined.

Mix the melted butter with crushed graham crackers and press into the bottom of a serving dish to form the first layer.

Spread half of the cream cheese mixture over the graham cracker layer.

Arrange a layer of sliced strawberries on top, then sprinkle with half of the white chocolate chips.

Repeat the layers, finishing with a layer of cream cheese mixture and white chocolate chips.

Refrigerate for at least four hours, or until set, before serving.