PLASTIC MULCH FOR STRAWBERRIES 



The use of plastic mulch is so new as a mulch for strawberries, that there 

 is some confusion as to just what its place is and how it should be used. It is 

 being tried on a number of crops such as vegetables, nursery stock and small fruits. 

 In the case of strawberries it has been tried most extensively in California where 

 the hill system of culture is used. 



Plastic mulch has been slow to come into use in the northeast because straw- 

 berries are usually grown in matted rows. Plastic mulch is not adapted to this 

 system of culture. The runner plants will not root through the plastic. If the 

 runner plants are spaced and set thru slits in the plastic, the system bec6mes a 

 spaced row rather than a matted row. 



The hill system of culture where the mother plants are set and all runners 

 removed is the system best adapted to plastic mulch. After the plants are set 

 and the mulch put in place, there is no problem with setting runner plants thru 

 the mulch. Spaced rows can be mulched with plastic but the setting of runner 

 plants presents more of a problem. 



The thin plastic used for mulching comes in two colors, clear and black. The 

 black is usually preferred for two reasons. First, the black does not deteriorate 

 quite so rapidly in the hot sun. And second, it holds weeds in check better. 



Plastic can be purchased either perforated or unperforated. Which should be 

 obtained is a matter for the individual grower to decide based on cost and con- 

 venience. Holes of some sort thru the plastic are necessary to allow rain or 

 irrigation water to penetrate. If the price differential warrants it the grower 

 can buy the unperforated mulch and easily perforate it himself. 



Plastic mulch ordinarily is sold in three or four foot widths. The desirable 

 width will depend on the planting system used. Two suggested arrangements for hill 

 system are; 



