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ARE HIGH DHNSriY STRAIVRERRIES ON RIDGES FOR YOU? 



Dominic A. Marini 

 Regional Fruit and Vegetable Specialist 

 Plymouth Countv Extension Service 

 Hanson', MA 02341 



High density systems with up to 58,000 plants per acre 

 planted three inches apart on ridges 8 to 12 inches high and 3 

 feet apart are presently receiving a great deal of attention. 

 Yields of up to 45,000 quarts per acre are reported; and many 

 grovvers are wondering if they should adopt this system. Here 

 are a few things to consider in arriving at a decision. 



Is your soil suited to the ridge system? A fairly level, 

 well-drained site is a necessity. Breaking up the soil to a 

 depth of 16 to 18 inches vvfith a subsoiler, followed by deep 

 plowing, 10 to 12 inches deep, is practiced by growers who use 

 the system successfully. Specialized, expensive equipment is 

 needed for leveling the soil and constructing the ridges. 



Soil fumigation is recommended for any system of growing 

 strawberries. It is essential to prevent losses from black 

 root rot and other soil-borne diseases in order to obtain the 

 high yields possible with this system. Overhead irrigation for 

 frost protection and to maintain ample soil moisture is also 

 recommended for all growers, but is more essential for the 

 ridge system since the ridges dry out much faster than level 

 beds. More frequent nitrogen fertilization is necessary with 

 the ridge system because of the leaching of nitrogen resulting 

 from irrigating more often. And greater attention to insect, 

 disease and weed control, and winter protection must be given in 

 order to obtain high yields. Maintaining the winter mulch is 

 more difficult because of the sloping sides of the ridges. 



Extremely high yields are possible with the high density 

 ridge system of growing strawberries for large scale, top notch, 

 specialist strawberry growers with the proper site and soil 

 conditions. For the average grower operating on a small scale, 

 growing a variety of crops on hilly, rocky. New England soils, 

 such yields are not very likely. Most growers are probably bet- 

 ter off with the more conventional systems of matted row or 

 some sort of spaced runner system on 4 to 6 inch high raised 

 beds . 



AAA***** 



