Description
Late-Season, Spectacularly Large Berries / Showstopper
Developed by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Cabot is famous for its spectacularly large berries, among the biggest of any cultivated strawberry. Ripening in the mid-to-late season, around August 15 in the Edmonton region, it helps extend the harvest window after Kent finishes and as AC Valley Sunset begins. The fruit is bright red, dense, and juicy, with a distinct, rich flavour that’s been described as having subtle raisin-like notes, complex, sweet, and memorable. The berries’ soft skin and firm flesh make them best suited for U-pick farms and direct market sales, where appearance and taste truly shine. Cabot plants are vigorous and high-yielding, though they produce fewer berries per plant due to the fruit’s enormous size. They show resistance to red stele root rot, but are less cold-hardy than early-season varieties like Kent, and may experience winterkill below –40°C to –50°C. Best performance is in Zones 3–4, particularly in Southern and Central Alberta or protected microclimates. For growers seeking a unique, conversation-starting variety that impresses customers and extends the season, Cabot is truly a Canadian giant worth growing.
