- The document discusses high tunnel strawberry production on Untiedt's Vegetable Farm over several decades. They have grown day neutral strawberries in high tunnels which allow for an extended harvest season. - Proper site selection, soil analysis, variety selection, irrigation installation, planting, and attentive care of the crop are essential for success. Harvest must be frequent and the crop healthy to continue the season through fall. - High tunnel strawberry production provides a unique niche crop but requires diligent management of the environment, pests, and soil to maintain healthy and profitable yields.

1. High Tunnel
Strawberry Production
Untiedt’s Vegetable Farm, INC.
Jerry Untiedt
Waverly, MN

2. Our History
• Our farm has been working with High Tunnel
crop production for over 30 years
• We have grown “non-covered production”
strawberries for many years
• We enjoyed selling June-bearing strawberries
but there are limitations

5. Day Neutral Strawberries
• A strawberry to fill a
unique market niche
• Growth results with
outside culture
• Began to investigate
High Tunnel Strawberry
production

6. How are High Tunnel
Strawberries Grown?
• Began to investigate this culture
• How does the rest of the Day Neutral world
produce these berries?
• What style of production lends itself to
Minnesota?

13. Getting Started with Strawberries
in High Tunnels
• Select your site
• Design a Soils Analysis and Management Plan
• Select your varieties- investigate, visit,
network

17. Market and Enterprise Analysis
• Recognize the “Harvest Window”
• Understanding the Market
• Develop a PLAN to sell your berries
PROFITABLY
• Realize the potential- know your costs!

20. Success Begins with the Basics

21. • Learn the Sequences
• Think about what can go wrong
• Amend before it is too late

22. Considering Cultural Needs
• Type of culture • Supplies
• Irrigation type and • Machinery Needs
water demand
• Fail Safe Back Up-
• Supplemental consultants, analysis
amending equipment- services, other experts
venturis, etc.

23. Let the Work
Continue
• Prepare the soil
• Pull the bed, lay
the tape and
plastic mulch
• Hook up the
irrigation system
• Test * Test * Test

24. Put the Plants in the Ground
• Take care of the plants
• Layout row and plant • Amend roots to
spacing accommodate your
planting
• Mark the spacing-string,
dibble wheel, spacing • Be there, Be Hands On,
sticks Do it the Right Way
• Obtain or manufacture • Irrigate
planting tool

28. Baby the Crop
• Monitor the soil
moisture
• Remove the runners- at
• Watch the temperatures least every 30 days
and humidity
• Take a tissue sample –
• Be prepared to control Amend as necessary
the variables, frost,
weeds, etc… • Scout for plant diseases
and pests
• Remove the blossoms for
the first six weeks

30. Keep It Healthy and Growing
• Sanitation • Ask an expert
• Ventilation • Tissue Test and Analyze
Again
• Walk the crop – aisle by
aisle every day • Amend as Necessary

32. Penny Wise – Dollar Foolish
• Manage for the max
• Don’t cut corners
• Get ready for the
harvest….taste those
early berries

33. Harvest Time Is Here!
• Train your crew – work
with them
• Maintain your quality
• Take care of the
harvest- take care of
your workers

38. Sales Perspectives
• Only show on the block
– you are unique
• How did you think to
ASK SO MUCH?
• Educate your buyer

39. The Day Neutral Season Continued
• Keep it clean
• Keep it healthy
• Keep it under control
• Keep it harvested

40. Fall is Approaching
• How long do we want to
harvest?
• To keep the crop for
another season….or?
• Frost Preparedness
• When the REAL cold
arrives
• If you have chosen to
keep them- cover them
up

41. In the Spring
• Harvest opportunities-
early or late
• Unique crop
management
opportunities
• Decision Time: Summer
Crop – yes or no

42. Summer and Continuing Cycles
• How am I doing?
• Is it worth while to
keep this crop
growing?
• Our experience
indicates mixed results

43. More High Tunnel Strawberry ?’s
Food for thoughT
• How do we crop rotate?
• Can we grow strawberries on strawberries?
• Bio-fumigants
• Organic matter depletion

49. Thank You and
Good Luck Growing!