Barclay Poling, a professor of horticultural science at North Carolina State University, was a speaker at the North American Strawberry Growers Association’s annual meeting in December, held in Grand Rapids, Mich., in conjunction with the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable & Farm Market EXPO.

During one of his presentations, Poling talked about pre-plant preparation in a strawberry plasticulture system. North Carolina growers used to rely on matted-row strawberry production, but plastic offers them several advantages, like larger fruit size, higher marketable yields and a longer picking season. They’re also showing more interest in high tunnels, he said.

Poling shared some of the recommendations he gives to North Carolina strawberry growers who use plasticulture systems. Here are a few tidbits regarding site preparation:

• The most reliably productive strawberry plasticulture sites are almost always those with a wooded area or a windbreak on the north or northwest side of the field.
• It is best to rotate strawberry field sites as often as possible.
• A north-to-south row orientation is recommended for more uniform plant stands and ripening.
• In areas with intense deer pressure, appropriate fencing should be erected no later than two weeks after planting.

Lessons Learned
Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable & Farm Market EXPO

Events Calendar

Jan. 25, 2010
New York State Farmers' Direct Marketing Workshop
Oncenter Convention Center, Syracuse, N.Y.
Contact: Jeanette Marvin
Phone: 315-986-9320
E-Mail: jmarvin@rochester.rr.com
Website: www.nysfdma.com

Jan. 25-27, 2010
Empire State Fruit & Vegetable Expo and Becker Forum
Oncenter Convention Center, Holiday Inn Liverpool, Syracuse, N.Y.
Contact: Jeff and Lindy Kubecka
Phone: 315-687-5734
E-Mail: nysvga@twcny.rr.com
Website: www.nysaes.cornell.edu/hort/expo/index.php

Jan. 26-27, 2010
Ontario Processing Vegetable Industry Conference
Hilton Hotel & London Convention Centre, London, Ontario
Contact: Sharon Heaton
Phone: 519-681-1875
E-Mail: opvg@opvg.org
Website: www.opvg.org

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