Growing strawberries - planting, growing, and harvesting strawberries

Strawberry farming is a relatively new economic venture for most Kenyan farmers, but it’s a venture that promises potentially huge returns financially and job creation in a short period of time. In this article we guide you on the ABC’s of growing strawberries successfully in Kenya.

The strawberry does not need an introduction, it’s a familiar fruit that most of us have come across or had the chance to relish its great flavor.

Growing up I used to classify the strawberry as a ‘fancy fruit’ since it was very expensive and rare, well as the years have gone by and farming getting more advanced and easier, Kenyan farmers have realized the economic potential of these fruit and most of them have cashed in huge returns as its demand grows both in the local and international markets. Also the availability of high quality cultivars or grafted seedlings has greatly guaranteed farmers of bountiful harvests and good quality produce.

Suitable growing areas: include Kiambu, Nyeri, Nairobi, Kirinyaga, Kitale, Kericho, Naivasha, Molo, Embu, Kinangop, Sagana, Kitengela, Athi River etc.

Strawberry varieties available in Kenya

Strawberries come in many varieties but not all varieties do well in Kenya, some of the best performing strawberry varieties include:-

• Chandler
• Tribute
• Tristar
• Tioga Selva
• Domail
• Rabunda
• Pajaro
• Douglas

Strawberry Cultivation Basics

Strawberry planting and harvesting often can take up to a year. You’d need to go through several stages of planning, planting, cultivating and harvesting. To start a farm, you’d need to prepare your soil for strawberry growing. Check on the kind of soil you have by performing a soil test. Strawberries prefer loam soil, particularly sandy loam soil. Knowing your soil type and composition will help you decide how to prepare it for cultivation.

Ecological requirements ideal for strawberry farming in Kenya

Altitude

Strawberry require an Altitude of around 1250m – 2200m above sea level

Temperatures

Stable temperature in the range of 10 – 300C

Rainfall

-Well distributed 1200mm. Where rainfall is less than this irrigation is necessary at 25mm/week. The crop does not tolerate drought. Irrigation by drip increases the yields, improves the size and appearance of berries and prolongs the harvest period.

Soils

The strawberry succeeds in a surprisingly wide range of soils and situations and, compared with other horticultural crops, has a low fertilizer requirement. It is, however, susceptible to drought and requires moisture-retaining soil or irrigation by furrow or sprinkler. Although, deep sandy loams, rich in humus are most ideal, with good moisture retaining capacity. The drainage should be sufficient to keep the water level at least 80 – 100cm below the soil surface. Poor drainage makes the strawberries weak and susceptible to diseases. The ideal soil pH range is 5.5 – 6.5. Avoid saline soils.

Additionally, the plants are susceptible to nematodes and pathogenic soil fungi, and many growers sterilize the soil with chemicals before planting.

Land preparation

Plough and work the soil to get a deep and loose planting bed. Remove weeds and add manure and ash.

Planting

Strawberries can be grown from seeds, or using transplants (runners) from already existing strawberry plants. It is however more difficult to start with seeds and thus runners are mostly used.

Finding disease free seedlings that won’t disappoint you can be quite challenging, Denettols seedlings offers you strawberry runners and seedlings that are grown with extra care and following all the best practices to ensure you are successful in your strawberry farming venture.

Steps to follow during planting

1. Prepare planting holes. These should be deep and enough to accommodate the entire root system of the crop, without bending it.
2. Proceed to plant your strawberry seedlings leaving a distance of 30cm in between rows.
3. Plant seedlings at a spacing of 20 inches apart and 4 feet between rows. The roots should be covered, but the crown should be right at the soil surface.
4. Strawberry plants require 6-10 hours a day of direct sunlight, so choose your planting site accordingly.

Pests & Diseases Management

1. Good Air/Water Drainage - Good air drainage and circulation within the strawberry planting speeds the drying off of plants and reduces the potential for infection. Similarly, it is important that the soil dries out quickly after rain. Waterlogged soil increases the likelihood of disease infection in the root system.
2. No Shade - Plants need full sunlight to grow and produce fruit, but sunlight also helps the foliage and fruit to dry off quickly after a rain or heavy dew. Rapid drying will reduce fruit and leaf diseases.
3. Rotation - Some crops can build disease organisms in the soil, which can devastate the next crop if it is susceptible to the disease. Strawberries should not follow tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, peppers, strawberries for 5 years since these crops might harbor the Verticillium fungus
4. Planting resistant varieties - Some plants are not susceptible to certain diseases or are less susceptible than other varieties. Resistance or tolerance to diseases will eliminate or greatly reduce the need for disease control.
5. Disease-Free Planting runners or seedlings - Plant only disease-free planting material the grower must rely on good propagation and cultural practice methods used by the nursery in producing the strawberries.
6. No Cultivation from Infested Soil - Cultivating in a diseased planting and then moving that equipment to a healthy planting without washing the soil from the equipment can transport disease organisms between the strawberry plantings.
7. Mulch to Prevent Winter Injury - Mulch will protect a strawberry plant from winter injury. In some cases, strawberry plants may be injured but not killed by cold temperatures. Those plants are often susceptible to black root rot.
8. Fungicide Sprays - Fungicide applications should be used only if other control strategies are not adequate to control the disease. Fungicide sprays will help in the control of powdery mildew and fruit rots.
9. Harvest before Overripe - The fruit rots will spread more quickly on overripe fruit. Overripe fruit also will allow a disease to build up in the planting, therefore making control more difficult.
10. Weed Control - Weeds can be a big problem in strawberry beds. Hand weeding and using a generous layer of straw mulch are the best options for control. Strawberry plants require 6-10 hours a day of direct sunlight, so choose your planting site accordingly.
11. Row covers – This are a good option for protecting blossoms and fruit from birds.

Harvesting

Fruit is typically ready for harvesting 4-6 weeks after blossoming. Harvest only fully red (ripe) berries, and pick every three days. Cut by the stem; do not pull the berry or you could damage the plant.