Techniques in Strawberry Farming Production
Strawberry cultivation is one of the profitable farming business which has a potential to generate a reasonable income and create jobs in different countries.
Strawberry can be used in yogurt as value additional and can as well be used as fresh juice and jam.
Strawberries are easy to be cultivated and they perform well in a wind range of climatic conditions. It just needs a small land for one to get started on strawberry production.
To get the best results, make sure you grow your strawberry on a fertile, well drained soil which receives a good sun and has a moderate water amount.
This article will give you in detail on how to grow your strawberry for high yield to be obtained which can maximize your revenue.
Strawberry Cultivars
Choice of cultivators depends on the location where one wants to grow strawberry.
For this reason, make sure you select a right cultivar which matches with the climatic conditions of your location to get high yields, among other factors.
Strawberry cultivators differ in pests and diseases, fruiting time, qualities, fruit size, torrance among other factors.
Climate Requirements
Temperature
Strawberry respond well in tropical and sub-tropical regions and achieves the best results at an optimal temperature of a range of 22° C to 25° C and this has to be a day temperature.
The optimal night temperature for growing strawberry to get high yields should be 7° C to 13° C. Strawberry do not perform well in Frost and cold weather areas.
Soils
Strawberries achieve best results on sandy loam soil, but can be grown on a wide range of soils. The optimum soil pH for growing strawberry to get best results should be in a range of 5.7 to 6.5.
More water is required to be applied in your strawberry field through irrigation during runners establishment.
Make sure you practice crop rotation to avoid depletion of soil fertility which may affect fruiting.
Land Preparation and Planting
Make sure you thoroughly prepare your site through tillage or ploughing for cultivation of strawberry in your local area. Make sure you improve soil fertility through manure application for high yield to be obtained.
Planting time
Make sure you plant your strawberry as early as possible for the best results as agribusiness farmer.
Spacing
The strawberries should be planted on moist, raised beds which have a space between 30 centimeters. Row spacing in your strawberry field should be 60 cm apart. Make sure you observe a space of 30 centimeters between strawberries as they are runners.
Propagation
Strawberries are propagated through runner plants. One plant is able to produce 7 to 10 runners.
Irrigation
Make sure you irrigate your transplanted strawberries and your strawberry field should be at a right moisture. Frequency of watering should be 2 to 3 times a week from the second month. Drip irrigation is recommended in strawberry production to be more efficient in watering. Make sure your field is not waterlogged as this condition could accelerate the build up of pests and diseases in your strawberry field.
Pruning/stripping
Make sure you thin your strawberry to 2 to 3 splits every 7 months for rejuvenation for optimal results.
Weed Management
Make sure your strawberry field is free from any weeds as this can be the source of pests and diseases. You can use chemical methods or physical methods to control weeds. You can as well use biological method. Some farmers are known to use cultural method. Select each of these depending on your capital and labour availability in your local area.
Harvesting and Yield
Strawberries are able to give fruits in a range of 2.5 to 3 months after planting your strawberries. Which means, you can start harvesting your strawberries from that time. The life span for strawberry is 3 years. Harvesting can be done 2 to 3 days. The strawberry harvesting period is 2 to 3 times per year.