From 2022 to 2024, we evaluated the performance of 15 June-bearing strawberry cultivars grown in a plasticulture system using black and white-on-black plastic mulches at two locations in Indiana: the Southwest Purdue Agricultural Center in Vincennes, IN, and the Meigs Horticulture Research Farm in Lafayette, IN. During the experimental period, monthly average temperatures at the…Read more about Performance of 15 June-bearing Strawberry Cultivars Grown in Plasticulture System for Two Seasons in Indiana[Read More]
Plasticulture
From 2022-2024, we evaluated the performance 15 strawberry cultivars grown in plasticulture system using black and white-on-black plastic mulches (Figure 1) at two locations: Southwest Purdue Agricultural Center in Vincennes, IN (USDA hardiness zone 6b), and Meigs Purdue Agricultural Center in Lafayette, IN (USDA hardiness zone 6a). Strawberries were harvested for two seasons. Plug plants…Read more about Performance of Strawberries on Black vs. White Plastic Mulches in Indiana[Read More]
This summer, we interviewed four farmers growing strawberries in plasticulture in Indiana. Their business is on different scales, and they sell through varied market channels. How do strawberries fit into their overall crop and market strategy? What are the opportunities and challenges? The lessons the experienced farmers share will be of great value to others…Read more about Strawberry Chat Update— Farmer Interviews[Read More]
I visited Kube-Pak (Allentown, NJ) during the North American Strawberry Growers Summer Tour. Kube-Pak wholesales bedding plants, plugs, potted plants and more. Our visit at Kube-Pak’s was at peak time of strawberry business. Mr. Rob Swanekamp showed us the steps of growing strawberry plugs, from tip production to shipping. The strawberry plugs’ shipping date starts…Read more about Strawberry Plug Production at Kube-Pak[Read More]
Strawberries are traditionally grown with a matted-row system in Indiana. Plasticulture is relatively new. It brings market opportunities and potentially high profit. However, growing strawberries in plasticulture is much more expensive than the matted-row system. Farmers need a good understanding of the system to avoid significant economic loss. In the Strawberry Chat Podcast episodes, you…Read more about Farmers Shared Experiences in Plasticulture Strawberry Production[Read More]