SUCCESS WITH STRAWBERRIES 



Dominic A. Marini 

 Southeast Extension Region 



The demand for fresh local strawberries is strong, but since 

 production costs per acre are high in comparison with the costs of 

 many other crops, yields must be high in order to make substantial 

 profits. If the following items are kept in mind, high returns per 

 acre are possible in Massachusetts. 



PI ants : The importance of starting with good plants cannot be over- 

 emphasized. Good plants are not only free from disease, but are also 

 in good physical condition. If well grown in the nursery, the straw- 

 berry plant has large crown and root systems that are high in food 

 reserves and mineral nutrients. Therefore, be particular about the 

 size and vigor of plants received from the nursery. 



Remember that good plants are plants free of all disease, not 

 just virus-free. The free plants obtained from a neighbor may not 

 be so cheap in the long run because of low productivity, red stele 

 and other diseases. 



Si te and soil : A location with a gentle slope for air and water 

 drainage is highly desirable for strawberries. On steeper slopes, 

 planting on the contour will help prevent erosion damage, while on 

 flat, poorly drained sites planting on raised beds helps to prevent 

 crown and root injury from a water-logged soil. 



No specific soil type is recommended for strawberries since 

 varieties differ in their soil requirements. But in general, light, 

 sandy soils are preferred for early varieties, while late varieties 

 usually do best on heavier soils. Soil pH should be in the 5.5-6.0 

 range 



Where a sod crop is impractical, however, strawberries may be 

 grown in rotation with cultivated crops such as peas, beans, squash, 

 cucumbers or corn. They should not follow crops of tomatoes, pota- 

 toes, peppers, egg plant, or raspberries, since these crops are sus- 

 ceptible to Verticillium wilt which also affects many varieties of 

 strawberri es . 



When no extra land is available, growers may rely on green man- 

 ure crops to supply organic matter from the time the old bed is 

 plowed after harvest until strawberry plants are again set the next 

 spring. 



