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!