Download - High Tunnel Strawberries 2012
High Tunnel Strawberry Production
Untiedt’s Vegetable Farm, INC.Jerry UntiedtWaverly, MN
Our History
• Our farm has been working with High Tunnel crop production for over 30 years
• We have grown “non-covered production” strawberries for many years
• We enjoyed selling June-bearing strawberries but there are limitations
Day Neutral Strawberries
• A strawberry to fill a unique market niche
• Growth results with outside culture
• Began to investigate High Tunnel Strawberry production
How are High Tunnel Strawberries Grown?
• Began to investigate this culture
• How does the rest of the Day Neutral world produce these berries?
• What style of production lends itself to Minnesota?
Getting Started with Strawberries in High Tunnels
• Select your site
• Design a Soils Analysis and Management Plan
• Select your varieties- investigate, visit, network
Market and Enterprise Analysis
• Recognize the “Harvest Window”
• Understanding the Market
• Develop a PLAN to sell your berries PROFITABLY
• Realize the potential- know your costs!
Success Begins with the Basics
• Learn the Sequences
• Think about what can go wrong
• Amend before it is too late
Considering Cultural Needs
• Type of culture
• Irrigation type and water demand
• Supplemental amending equipment- venturis, etc.
• Supplies
• Machinery Needs
• Fail Safe Back Up-consultants, analysis services, other experts
Let the Work Continue
• Prepare the soil
• Pull the bed, lay the tape and plastic mulch
• Hook up the irrigation system
• Test * Test * Test
Put the Plants in the Ground• Take care of the plants
• Layout row and plant spacing
• Mark the spacing-string, dibble wheel, spacing sticks
• Obtain or manufacture planting tool
• Amend roots to accommodate your planting
• Be there, Be Hands On, Do it the Right Way
• Irrigate
Baby the Crop • Monitor the soil
moisture
• Watch the temperatures and humidity
• Be prepared to control the variables, frost, weeds, etc…
• Remove the blossoms for the first six weeks
• Remove the runners- at least every 30 days
• Take a tissue sample – Amend as necessary
• Scout for plant diseases and pests
Keep It Healthy and Growing
• Sanitation
• Ventilation
• Walk the crop – aisle by aisle every day
• Ask an expert
• Tissue Test and Analyze Again
• Amend as Necessary
Penny Wise – Dollar Foolish
• Manage for the max
• Don’t cut corners
• Get ready for the harvest….taste those early berries
Harvest Time Is Here!
• Train your crew – work with them
• Maintain your quality
• Take care of the harvest- take care of your workers
Sales Perspectives
• Only show on the block – you are unique
• How did you think to ASK SO MUCH?
• Educate your buyer
The Day Neutral Season Continued
• Keep it clean
• Keep it healthy
• Keep it under control
• Keep it harvested
Fall is Approaching• How long do we want to
harvest?
• To keep the crop for another season….or?
• Frost Preparedness
• When the REAL cold arrives
• If you have chosen to keep them- cover them up
In the Spring
• Harvest opportunities- early or late
• Unique crop management opportunities
• Decision Time: Summer Crop – yes or no
Summer and Continuing Cycles
• How am I doing?
• Is it worth while to keep this crop growing?
• Our experience indicates mixed results
More High Tunnel Strawberry ?’sFood for thoughT
• How do we crop rotate?
• Can we grow strawberries on strawberries?
• Bio-fumigants
• Organic matter depletion
Thank You and Good Luck Growing!