28 
FINE PROFITS IN EVERBEARERS 
with 
Mew- MetkadU and A ecu VarUeti&i 
This account is condensed from a report in Ohio Farm and Journal Research, 
Jan. and Feb., 1950, by Dr. Wesley P. Judkins, then with the Ohio Station, now 
Head of the Department of Horticulture at Blacksburg, Virginia. 
''During the last few years some Ohio growers have been making fine profits from 
everbearing strawberries. The renewed interest in this crop appears to be due to the 
spaced-plant sawdust-mulch system of production developed by Karl Michener of 
Burton City, Ohio." 
"Greatest profits have been secured from the Gem variety. During the past year 
eight everbearing varieties have been tested at the Station. Two of these were superior 
to Gem and should be considered in future plantings/' 
Gem plants which were set out at the Ohio Station in April, 1949, produced 4100 qts. per 
acre, Superfection 5630 qts. and Brilliant 7000 qts. The original Michener system consists of a 
single row of parent plants with a row of runner plants established on each side. Tests at Wooster 
(Ohio Station) indicate that production may be increased 40 to 60' [ if the entire row is set to 
parent plants in the spring and no runners are allowed to develop. 
'"The latest developments in everbearing strawberry production demonstrate that 
the largest yields, greatest ease and economy of operation, and highest profits are to be 
secured by following a 4-row bed-type planting system." (See diagram page 27.) 
The plants are set one foot apart in rows which are one foot apart. A two foot alley or middle 
is left between each 4-row bed. 
The 4-row system produces high yields in August, which are maintained during the remainder 
of the season. The single row plus two runner plants does not usually reach full production until 
mid-September or later. 
"The 4 -row system can be expected to produce 7000 qts. per acre of Superfec- 
tion the first year." 
Under Ohio conditions everbearing strawberries should be planted just as early in the spring as the land 
can be prepared — late March or early April. The planting should be established on fertile, well-drained soil 
which has been under cultivation for a year or two to reduce the problem of white grub and weed control. The 
first crop of weeds will usually appear within two or three weeks after planting. These should be controlled by 
hoeing. After this first hoeing the entire area should be covered with a layer of sawdust one inch thick. Sawdust 
can be either from hardwood or softwood and may be either fresh or weathered. This mulch is very important 
for conserving soil moisture and suppressing weed growth. Quite a few weeds will usually grow up through the 
sawdust within a few weeks after it is applied. These weeds must be removed by pulling because hoeing would 
mix the sawdust with the soil and eliminate its 'mulch effect. 
All the blossoms which develop on the newly set plants should be removed until early July. After that, if the 
plants have become well established and are growing vigorously, the flowers may be allowed to develop fruit. 
If the plants are making poor growth because of late planting or drought, blossom removal should be continued 
until the middle of July. Berries start ripening about one month after full bloom. 
After fruit production starts, berries may be harvested about twice each week until frost stops growth in 
October. The sawdust mulch helps to conserve soil moisture during the late summer. If an extended drought 
occurs the crop can be greatly increased in size and quality by the use of irrigation. 
All runners should be removed from the plants as fast as they develop. This 
is essential if highest yields are to be secured. 
"The sawdust mulch appears to give adequate protection over the winter period. A 
thin renewal layer may be needed in the fall if the spring application was too light. A full 
inch of mulch should be maintained." 
According to Dr. Judkins, sawdust does not make the soil acid. Any temporary nitrogen deficiency which 
may develop if the mulch is mixed with soil can be remedied by the use of a quickly available nitrogen fertilizer. 
The spaced-plant, sawdust-mulch system comes high per acre, with more plants and much hand labor 
required, "but numerous Ohio growers have demonstrated in small and medium sized plantings that a care- 
fully managed patch will give high profits." 
For those who want to try this very promising method of getting berries this year we have the best lot of 
everbearing plants in many seasons — Superfection, Gem and others. 
