Open fields covered with straw.

Strawberries can be planted directly in open fields in rows (1, 2 or 3 rows wide) with a walk for harvesting between the rows. When the flower stalks appear the soil can be covered with straw which keeps the fruit clean. Another advantage of using straw is that it keeps both the soil and plants cool. Irrigation can be done by drip tubes or sprinklers.

Strawberries can be grown on ridge, 15-20 cm high covered with black plastic. This system is used on heavier soils, to ensure that the roots of the plants do not continuously remain in the water after rain showers. In general one row is planted but if a slightly wider ridge is formed two rows can be planted. The black plastic avoids destabilisation of the ridges and prevents weeds from growing. Water and fertiliser are given by a drip system besides the plants and below the plastic. Sometimes extra straw is recommended to avoid contamination of the strawberry fruit with soil...

Two rows can be grown on a ridges of 40 cm high covered with black plastic. This system makes it easy to pick the fruit because the fruits remain on top of the ridge or hang on the slope. Water and fertiliser are given by two drip lines besides the plants and below the plastic. Sometimes the ridge is covered with a tunnel to encourage earlier production of fruit and to protect the plants and fruit from rain and wind.

It is important that you always use a good soil/peat mixture which is free draining. Plants prefer a soil which has been prepared 2-3 weeks before planting. The quality of the water user for irrigation is very important. Always control the percentage of iron and lime as too much or not enough iron can influence growth. Also, too much lime can block the drip system.

Several types of glasshouses are available and suitable for strawberry production. In addition there is a choice of several substrate systems for containers with or without drain support. A drain support system has the advantage of being able to collect the surplus water and recycle it.