Hydroponics and controlled environment agriculture have the potential to change the way strawberries are produced now and in the future. Strawberries are available almost year-round at present but the quality suffers greatly as the shipping distance increases. Strawberries do not ship or store well. This makes the strawberry a good crop for greenhouse production and in outdoor areas where the climatic conditions allow economic production of strawberries. In addition to research and commercial production in hydroponic systems, there is some research going on growing strawberries in aquaponics as well. Since strawberry plants are relatively small, they do well in vertical growing systems, that take advantage of vertical growing space that might not otherwise be used in a greenhouse.Self Watering, Gardens, Vegetables Growing Systems, Build Your Own, Dirtless.

One of the most difficult crops to write about is the strawberry because it is such a complex plant species. For instance, a two hundred page book has been written about the Chandler which is a popular variety in the southeast. Each variety has its peculiarities which include day length, temperature, humidity, diseases, shelf life, color, size and taste. Not only are there many varieties but many varieties within a type or class of strawberry. These include everbearer, Junebearer, day neutral and short day varieties, all of which were bred to fit particular climates and markets.In order to grow strawberries with success either commercially or at home the grower must know the difference between the different types of strawberry plants. The flowering cycle of the strawberry is effected by day length and the name describes the variety type pretty well.

The following is a short strawberry variety review.

Short-day (SD)- These are winter varieties for outdoors (in FL and CA) or in greenhouses with good light conditions. The current varieties being grown are Sweet Charlie, Treasure, Camarosa, Gemstar, Festival, Gaviotta, Earlibrite and Chandler. These varieties are normally planted in late September or early October. They’re available in plugs, green top and frigo plants.Self Watering, Gardens, Vegetables Growing Systems, Build Your Own, Dirtless.

Day-neutral (DN)- These are spring and fall varieties for field or greenhouse. Plant in late August, early September or in February or March. These are types of everbearers but are not true everbearing. They do not produce well during the winter and tend to cycle. However, they produce early. The varieties include Seascape, Everrest, Eversweet, Tristar, Tribute, Diamante, and Aromas. These plants are also good for hanging baskets after being used for commercial production or they can be sold to home gardeners or nurseries. Seascape is the most popular, especially in the west, but Tristar and Tribute are also favored in the east and Midwest. They are also good for baskets and home sales.

Everbearers (EB)- These are spring or summer varieties with some fall production. They are not really ever bearing but in some areas may cycle off and on throughout the year. They are not recommended for the Verti-Gro (vertical hydroponics) system. The varieties include Quinalt, Ft. Laramie and others. They are okay for home garden sales and hanging baskets.

.Unlike most produce or fruits, the strawberry is not often grown from seed, even though each strawberry contains hundreds of seeds. It is not that the strawberry can't be grown from seed but, rather, because it is not practical or economical. New, more mature plants called "daughters" are produced from a mother plant in an area where the climate is conducive to growing strawberry plants during the summer and early fall. These "daughters" start as runners. The commercial industry refers to them as tips. The runners are harvested from certified disease-free stock. The runners develop into plants in about eight weeks. If they are allowed to root in the soil where its mother plant is grown a rooted strawberry plant is produced. From the time this plant is replanted to production is 7-9 weeks, depending on the variety and age when the plant is dug.On the other hand some "daughters" are not allowed to root into the soil and instead are cut and rooted in a potting soil containing a high percentage of peat moss or coconut coir. These tips become plugs or fully rooted plants. Some plants are also started from tissue culture and micro-propagation. However, it is not as important how the plant is started but where the plant is grown and how to get the plant you need.

Do you live in Iowa ? Here is something special for you.

Planting Strawberries in the Home GardenFresh strawberries are delicious in desserts and fruit salads. They also make an excellent topping for ice cream, pancakes, and breakfast cereals. Fruit not eaten fresh, can be processed into jams or frozen. Strawberries are well suited to the home garden. They require a relatively small amount of space in the garden, are hardy throughout Iowa, and are easy to grow.

Types of StrawberriesThere are basically 3 types of strawberries. June-bearers are the most widely planted type of strawberry. June-bearing strawberries produce one crop per year with the majority of the fruit ripening in June. The second type of strawberry is the everbearing strawberry. Everbearing varieties typically produce a spring and late summer crop with little flowering or fruiting during the remainder of the growing season. Self Watering, Gardens, Vegetables Growing Systems, Build Your Own, Dirtless.

The day-neutral varieties are the third and newest type of strawberry. They are regarded as an improved, more productive everbearing-type strawberry. Day-neutral varieties perform best during the cooler periods of the growing season and will not flower and fruit during hot weather. If weather conditions are favorable, day-neutral strawberries will bear fruit from June through September.

Planting SiteStrawberries require full sun and well-drained soils. Leaf, root, and fruit diseases are often problems in poorly drained, wet soils. When selecting a site for the strawberry planting, do not plant in ground that is heavily infested with perennial weeds. Control of perennial weeds can be extremely difficult. Also, avoid sites where strawberries, tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers have been grown in the last three years to reduce the risk of root disease problems. Source of PlantsPurchase strawberry plants from a reliable, reputable garden center or mail-order nursery. Plants from an old planting are often disease infested. If planting must be delayed after purchase, place the plants in a plastic bag and place moist material, such as wood shavings or peat moss, around their roots. The plants will die if their roots are allowed to dry out. Store the strawberry plants in the refrigerator at 32 to 40ûF. Plants can be safely stored in the refrigerator for one to two weeks. Planting DesignThe type of strawberry determines the planting design. June-bearing strawberries are planted 18 to 24 inches apart in rows spaced 4 feet apart. Runners will develop and root freely and eventually form a matted row of plants about 2 feet wide. Everbearing and day-neutral varieties are typically planted in beds consisting of two or three rows that are 1 foot apart. The plants are spaced 1 foot apart within the rows. There should be a 2-foot-wide path between beds. Any runners that develop on everbearing and day-neutral strawberries are removed and the plants are maintained as large, single plants.

PlantingEarly spring (late March and April) is the best time to plant strawberries. Remove the strawberry plants from storage when ready to plant. Trim off the older leaves, place the roots in water for an hour, then plant immediately. Set each plant in the ground so the crown of the plant is even with the soil surface. Immediately after planting, water the strawberry plants well and apply a starter fertilizer solution to aid establishment. A starter fertilizer solution can be prepared by adding 2 or 3 tablespoons of a complete, water soluble fertilizer, such as 5-10-5 or 10-10-10, to one gallon of water. Apply 1 or 2 cups to each plant.

Blossom RemovalAll blossoms should be removed from June-bearing strawberry plants during the first growing season. If the berries are allowed to develop, they will reduce plant growth, runner production, and next year's crop. Check the plants once a week and remove the blossoms by pinching or cutting. Flowering should stop by early July. Remove all blossoms on everbearing and day-neutral strawberries for a period of 6 weeks after planting. Any flowers that develop after this period may be allowed to develop into fruit.

Irrigation and Weed ManagementStrawberry plants need 1 inch of water per week for adequate growth. Water the new strawberry planting once a week during dry weather. Weed control is essential to insure optimal plant growth. For home gardeners, cultivation is the most practical control measure. Cultivate often, but shallow, to control weeds. Periodic hand weeding may also be necessary.

Suggested VarietiesSuggested June-bearing strawberry varieties for Iowa include 'Earliglow,' 'Honeoye,' 'Surecrop,' 'Redchief,' 'Allstar,' 'Jewel,' and 'Lateglow.' 'Tribute' and 'Tristar' are excellent day-neutral strawberries.

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