Overwintering strawberries in high tunnels can jumpstart plant growth in the spring and protect developing flowers from frost damage and disease. However, this protected environment is also ideal for some pests, like spider mites and aphids, that can successfully overwinter and build their populations. We conducted an experiment on ‘Chandler’ strawberry where it was grown[Read More…]
Wenjing Guan
Attention strawberry growers, A group of scientists are conducting a survey about growers’ current practices and opinions about agricultural mulches in their strawberry fields. They hope growers could share with the research team information about current practices and opinions about different types of agricultural mulches by completing a short online survey. The survey is located[Read More…]
This summer, we interviewed four farmers growing strawberries in plasticulture in Indiana. Their business is on different scales, and they sell through varied market channels. How do strawberries fit into their overall crop and market strategy? What are the opportunities and challenges? The lessons the experienced farmers share will be of great value to others[Read More…]
I visited Kube-Pak (Allentown, NJ) during North American Strawberry Growers Summer Tour. Kube-Pak wholesales bedding plants, plugs, potted plants and more. Our visit is at Kube-Pak’s peak time of strawberry business. Mr. Rob Swanekamp showed us the steps of growing strawberry plugs, from tip production to shipping. The strawberry plugs’ shipping date starts in mid-July[Read More…]
Strawberries are traditionally grown with a matted-row system in Indiana. Plasticulture is relatively new. It brings market opportunities and potentially high income. However, growing strawberries in plasticulture is much more expensive than the matted-row system. Farmers need a good understanding of the system to avoid significant economic loss. In the Strawberry Chat Podcast episodes, you[Read More…]
The harvest season may not have ended yet; it is time to plan for the new planting. This article summarizes options for planting materials and considerations for plasticulture-grown strawberries in the region. Purchasing plug plants Plug plants are like vegetable transplants with actively growing root systems. Plug plants are much easier to establish than bare-root[Read More…]
Growing strawberries under high tunnels can extend the harvest season, provide protection against rain, frost, and disease, and improve overall yield and fruit marketability. Pest pressure, however, can be higher on protected culture strawberry compared to the open field. This is especially true for small, soft-bodied pests such as spider mites, aphids, and thrips. Even[Read More…]
Plasticulture strawberry harvest has kicked off in southern Indiana. These plants went through a winter of temperatures, ups and downs, and survived the unexpected frosts in April. Finally, it is harvest time! This article’s title is a message from a grower. The straightforward explanation is that plants received more sunlight and warmed up faster on[Read More…]
We received a freeze warning in Vincennes last Sunday with a predicted low temperature of 33 °F. Growers in southern Indiana reported minimal damage on plants covered with floating row covers. But significant damage was observed in fields that were not protected or covered with a thin layer of floating row cover. At Southwest Purdue[Read More…]
Using straws is the standard practice for winter protection in matted-row strawberry production. In contrast, plasticulture strawberries commonly use floating rows for winter and spring frost protection. This article will discuss the differences between managing floating row covers vs. straws in the spring. When straw is used, it blocks the light. There is hardly any[Read More…]