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
Business
• Site Selection
• Frost Considerations
• Soil Preparation &
Maintenance
• Selection of Growing
System & Variety
• Cultivation Practices
• 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 Levels
Soil 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 micronutrients
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 Fields
Year 1
Late Summer / Early Fall
•
Plow
•
Test soil and adjust PH levels
•
Plant a winter cover crop (early September)
Year 2
Spring
•
Till in the fall cover crop
•
Amend soil based on soil test results
Fall
•
Plant cover crops
•
Test soil
Year 3
Spring
•
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
• Matted Row System
Everbearing (Day Neutral)
• Hill System
Alpine (Fraises du Bois)
“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
Renovate when you
intend to keep the
same plants in
production the
following year.
Rotate when yields
become low, plants
are diseased or
weeds are out of
control
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?