Do you want to know more about strawberry cultivation methods? Different methods, such as tunnel and glasshouse production, propagation systems, and many more, need to be discussed.
My Parents used to describe the stories of farmers, representing their greatness in farming the land and cultivating the crops, but I could not understand how someone would stay under the scorching burning sun all day.
So, to encourage the love for farming in our minds as their children, we had to go to the huge strawberry farm owned by a rich and generous farmer, who showed me around the strawberry farm.
This was where I learned how to grow strawberries, and I will tell you the best cultivation methods.
ALSO READ – How Do Strawberry Runners Reproduce
Let’s dive in to learn more about strawberry cultivation.
The Methods Of Production Of Strawberries
Many alternative production systems are used to raise strawberries.
This helps to produce high yields of quality fruit with sufficient flexibility to meet market demands and labor availability.
Propagation Systems
Strawberry plants are ‘raised’ or grown several ways before planting.
Waiting bed plants are grown from runners and planted into a ‘waiting bed’ to produce a large, strong plant.
This is then lifted when dormant and cold stored for spring or summer planting.
Cultivation Systems
There is also a wide range of strawberry cultivation systems. Worldwide, most are still produced in open fields.
Most field crops are mulched with straw or plastic to aid weed control, conserve moisture, help reduce contamination by keeping the fruit off the soil surface, and bring forward harvest.
Straw Mulch
Strawberry plants grown using the hill system are planted more densely to produce high yields and remain viable for only a few years.
A typical planting density for hill production is 50,000 plants/ha in single rows or 75,000 plants/ha as a double or three-row set.
More prolific varieties are spaced further apart.
Tunnel and Glasshouse Production
Tunnel production – utilizing polythene film supported by semi-circular steel frames to cover the raised beds.
“High tunnels” are taller structures enclosed against the elements.
These are usually passively heated and cooled so that operating costs can be minimal.
Drip irrigation and plastic mulches are commonly used in crops planted into soil at high plant densities.
In tunnels or glasshouses, strawberries are usually produced using the annual hill production system, spaced 30cm apart in staggered rows, with 2-4 rows in each bed.
High Plastic Tunnels
This system – using a range of growing media – allows the grower to supply the right nutrient at the right time without the inefficiencies of soil supply.
Lock-up and leaching can be a problem in field-grown strawberries.
Fertilizer requirements need to consider water quality and nutrient availability from the growing medium being used.
Coir Or Coco Peat
A waste fiber from coconut husks is increasingly popular as a substrate in bags, slabs, or pots.
It must be prepared to remove fines and salts such as sodium chloride, which limits root development.
Coir provides a better, more stable, growing media than peat and a higher level of production consistency.
It is also less acid than peat at a typical pH of 4.5-6, compared to peat at 3.5-4.5.
Controlled Atmosphere Production
Carbon dioxide is increasingly used to improve growth and yield in a controlled glasshouse environment.
It directly affects vegetative growth, leading to a significant increase in root, stem, and leaf production.
At later stages of growth, carbon dioxide also prolongs flowering without significantly influencing the length of fruit growth.
ALSO READ – Is Strawberry Farming Profitable
Step-By-Step On How To Plant Strawberries
Planting strawberries is a relatively simple process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you grow strawberries successfully:
Choose The Right Time:
The best time to grow strawberry plants is in the spring or fall, however it really depends on the weather where you live.
When the ground is not frozen and can be worked, choose that time.
Select A Suitable Location
Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil. Strawberries prefer full sun but can tolerate partial shade.
Prepare The Soil
Ensure the soil is well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral pH (around 5.8 to 6.2), and rich in organic matter.
Soil fertility can be enhanced by adding compost or well-rotted manure.
Choose Strawberry Varieties
Different types of strawberries include June-bearing, ever-bearing, and day-neutral varieties.
Choose the type that suits your climate and preferences.
Purchase Healthy Plants or Runners
You can start strawberries from seeds, but buying young plants or runners from a reputable nursery or garden center is more common.
Please make sure they are disease-free and healthy.
Planting
To avoid bending or crowding, make sure the hole you dig is big enough to fit the roots.
Line up your plants 12–18 inches apart, or roughly 2-3 feet apart.
For hanging baskets or containers, use a high-quality potting mix.
Planting Depth
Set the strawberry plants at the same depth they were in the nursery pots.
The crown (the point where the leaves emerge from the stem) should be at the soil level.
Watering
Make sure to water the plants well after planting. Make sure the soil is always damp, but not soaked.
Strawberries require about 1-1.5 inches of water per week.
Mulching
For weed control, moisture retention, and berry protection from dirt splashes, cover the plants with straw or mulch.
Mulching also helps maintain even soil temperature.
Fertilizing
Before planting, apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer.
Follow up with additional applications according to the specific needs of your strawberry variety.
Pruning
Remove any runners that form during the first few weeks after planting to encourage the plant’s energy to go into establishing strong roots.
Harvesting
Harvesting strawberries typically begins in the first or second year, though this varies by variety.
Pick the ripe berries regularly to encourage continuous production.
ALSO READ – Can Strawberries Cause Allergies
Facts About Strawberries Cultivation
Runners For Propagation:
Both seeds and runners, which are stems that grow horizontally over the soil surface, are used by strawberries for reproduction.
Propagation is made possible by the development of tiny plantlets, commonly referred to as “daughter plants,” by these runners.
This method allows growers to expand their strawberry patches without relying solely on seed germination.
Cultural Symbolism:
In certain cultures, strawberries hold symbolic significance.
For example, in some Native American traditions, strawberries are associated with positive attributes such as good health and a harmonious life.
The heart-shaped fruit symbolizes love and romance, making it a popular choice for Valentine’s Day.
Perennial Growth With Annual Planting:
While strawberries are perennial plants, commercial growers often practice an annual planting system.
After a few years, the productivity of strawberry plants tends to decline, so growers replant new varieties to maintain high yields.
This allows for introducing improved varieties and helps manage diseases that can accumulate over time.
Unique Flowering And Fruiting Habit:
Strawberry plants have a unique flowering and fruiting habit.
Insects pollinate the white or pink flowers, and each flower produces a single fruit, commonly referred to as a “drupelet.”
The surface of the strawberry is covered in these small, seed-like structures, each containing a tiny seed.
Despite their appearance, strawberries are not true berries botanically.
Temperature-Dependent Flowering:
The flowering of strawberry plants is influenced by temperature.
To induce flowering, strawberries typically require winter chill followed by warmer temperatures.
ALSO READ – Strawberry Seed Facts
Conclusion
Now that you have seen the different types of strawberry cultivation methods. You must pick a strawberry crop that suits your needs in terms of cost, ease of growing, and personal comfort.
Among the most crucial steps in planting strawberries is cultivating them regularly (at least once a week) for the first six to eight weeks.
Strawberry cultivation involves a combination of methods to ensure successful growth, high yields, and quality fruit.