How to Grow Strawberries the Organic Way

Welcome

Canada’s Favourite Fruit• Canadian growers

produce approximately 24,000 tonnes of strawberries, totaling sales of over $6,500,000 each year.

• Approximately 1% of these strawberries are grown organically.

Why are strawberries the most popular fruit in Canada?

• The average Canadian eats almost 5 lbs of strawberries per year

• High in fiber, low in fat• Excellent source of vitamin C & Manganese• Contain anti-oxidants• Contain phenols, linked to reduced risk of

osteoarthritis, asthma and atherosclerosis

Modern strawberries were first cultivated in France in the 1750s. They were produced by crossing sweet, flavourful Alpine strawberries with very large, less tender strawberries from Chile.

Strawberries are not really berries; they are related to roses. Since they are a hybrid, modern strawberries cannot be grown from seed.

Will strawberries grow in Atlantic Canada?

YES!!

Considerations for Organic Production

Cultivation• Site Selection• Frost Considerations• Soil Preparation &

Maintenance• Selection of Growing System &

Variety• Cultivation Practices

Business• Start up and transitioning

costs • Labour• Type of Operation• Marketing

Transitioning to Organic

Site Selection

• Soil• Slope• Winter Conditions• Frost• Previous crops• Water supply

Frost Protection can mean the difference between a bumper crop and no crop

Risks year round • Early Frost -Plants

blossom blossoms freeze

• Late frost berries freeze or plants are damaged before dormancy

• Winter frost crack plants

Frost Protection -Site Selection

• Strawberries should be located on ground with some elevation so colder air will flow away from the berries and protect them from frost.

• South facing slopes lead to increased frost damage as plants tend to blossom too early. Plants on west facing slopes are often damaged by strong, drying winter winds

Strawberry Fact

The Algonkian Indians of north eastern North America identify and name the full moos based on natural cycles. The sixth moon in a year is the Strawberry Moon

The Soil

“It all begins with the soil” Rob Wallbridge of Songberry Farm, Bristol, PQ

Healthy soil is teeming with organisms that aerate the soil and release Nitrogen

Soil Testing

pH LevelsSoil acidity, or pH, affects a plant’s ability to take up and make use of minerals and other compounds.

Soil acidity partially dictates the levels of other nutrients necessary for strawberries to grow, develop roots, runners and fruit.

Soil & Fertility Requirements

• Nitrogen• Organic matter• Minerals and micro-

nutrients

Nitrogen

Adequate levels of nitrogen are necessary for photosynthesis and the production of plant proteins and enzymes

N – How much is enough?

• Necessary at all stages throughout the year

• 500 – 1500 ppm of Nitrate• Mineral content of soil and

amount of organic matter• Too little - stunted growth

low yields• Too much - lush growth,

poor air circulation - disease

Organic Matter

Adequate organic matter is essential for the growth of healthy plants and the development of runners and fruit

Minerals & Micro-Nutrients

• Phosphorus• Potassium• Calcium• Manganese• Iron• Zinc• Boron

Improve the Quality of Your Soil

Strawberry Fact

The 16th century English believed that a strawberry shaped birthmark was a sign of being a witch. Anne Boleyn, second wife of King Henry, had such a birthmark – one factor that led to her beheading!

Cultivation Basics

• Field Preparation• Planting• Mulch• Irrigation• Renovation & Rotation• Pest Control

Anatomy of a Strawberry Plant

Preparing New FieldsYear 1 Late Summer / Early Fall• Plow• Test soil and adjust PH levels• Plant a winter cover crop (early September) Year 2Spring• Till in the fall cover crop• Amend soil based on soil test resultsFall• Plant cover crops• Test soil Year 3Spring• Amend soil based on soil tests• Plant oats as early as possible• Till in oats & plant strawberries• Remove first blossoms (June bearing varieties)

Planting• Choose only vibrant

healthy plants• Plant early or late in the

day if the weather is hot• Keep plants in a bucket

of water until planted• Soak in with compost

tea or water• Pick buds off of June

bearing varieties

Mulch

Weed Control

How to Control Weeds

• Carefully prepared site and soil• Mulch or black plastic• Hand weeding• Weeder geese• Mechanic weeding• Thermoweeding

Disease Control

Diseases may occur when one or more of the following factors are present:

• Pathogens are present in the air, soil or new plants

• Environmental Conditions are right• Variety • Susceptibility

Disease Control Factors

• Soil fertility and health• Drainage and irrigation• Air circulation• Mulch• Removal & destruction of diseased plants• Field monitoring• Sanitation• Foliar application of compost or manure tea

Pest Control

Cultivation Calendar

Strawberry Fact

The word “strawberry” comes from Old English. Some historians believe that the name comes from the centuries old practice of growing strawberries on straw mulch; others believe it is because the daughter plants are “strewn” over the ground.

Varieties and Growing Systems

June-Bearing

Everbearing (Day Neutral)

Alpine (Fraises du Bois)

• Matted Row System

• Hill System

“The perfect strawberry doesn’t exist. They seem to be very specific in terms of how well they do. Grow at least four varieties. Find out what you like, and what your customers like.” John Wise, Centreville, ON

Matted Row System – June Bearing

Day Neutral or Everbearing

Alpine Strawberries

• Wild strawberries from Alps

• Prized for flavour• Will grow from seed

Renovation or Rotation

Rotate when yields become low, plants are diseased or weeds are out of control

Renovate when you intend to keep the same plants in production the following year.

Strawberry Fact

The word “strawberry” comes from Old English. Some historians believe that the name comes from the centuries old practice of growing strawberries on straw mulch; others believe it is because the daughter plants are “strewn” over the ground.

Business Considerations

• Start up and maintenance costs

• Labour Costs

• Marketing

Costs per Acre to Establish & Maintain Fields

Cost to establish field over 1 to 2 years(Including site preparation, plants, labour) $2500 - $4000

Maintenance Costs per year(labour, planted 4 years or more) $6500 - $8000

Profit $2000 - $6000

The Greatest Variable -Labour

What factors will affect your labour needs?• Weed pressure• Condition of the soil• Type of growing system• Type of marketing• Livestock for manure

Strawberry Fact

Some people in Bavaria still believe that elves love to eat strawberries. They tie baskets of ripe berries to the horns of their dairy cattle as an offering to elves, and for assurance of an abundant supply of milk.

Marketing

• Farm Gate• Farmers Market• U-Pick• CSA • Wholesale• Value Added Products

(jam, baking, etc.)

Transitioning to Organic

Cold Turkey

Field by Field

Questions or comments?