Growing strawberries as a business. Business plan for growing strawberries

Strawberries are certainly loved by many, but there is one problem - the seasonal ripening of the berries. The harvest takes place in June - July, then it can be eaten only in preparations (jam, marmalade, frozen) or you can buy an imported product, which is not always of good quality due to long transportation and a huge amount of chemicals introduced into the berries to increase shelf life.

Is it possible to provide yourself with fresh strawberries all year round?

Yes, you can! And not only provide for yourself, but also make good money at the same time.

In order to make significant profits, you don’t need much - work out a business plan, decide on a growing location, choose the best seeds or seedlings, grow a crop and, of course, sell it.

So, let's open a strawberry business.

Business plan or calculating the costs and profitability of growing strawberries

First, you need to decide how and where the plants will be grown; the level of costs directly depends on this point.

There are two options:

1. Open ground.
2. Greenhouse.

An open ground business is the least expensive option, but it is only suitable for traditional summer berry harvesting and is not suitable for achieving stable, year-round income.

It is believed that growing strawberries at home is not as profitable a business as, for example, in open areas or in a greenhouse. This opinion is not entirely correct; it all depends on individual conditions, the availability of free space for planting, as well as the choice of the right varieties.

Costs for greenhouse cultivation

If you don't want to grow strawberries in traditional ways - in boxes, containers or beds, try growing them in large plastic bags. This method does not require large areas, which increases the profitability of growing strawberries, and it is much easier to care for the plants.

Profitability

According to statistics, every year the demand for strawberries increases by an average of 40%. In this regard, the profitability of its cultivation, especially in autumn, spring and winter, can be 100 percent or more.

For example, let’s consider the profitability of a small farm, i.e. there is 1 heifer with an area of ​​80 m². In such an area, 65 m² of shelving can be freely placed, each m² of usable area with fruit-bearing plants produces about 5 kg of berries per month - 65x5x400 rubles. (cost of berries in the off-season) = 130,000 rub. - profit.

From such a simple example it is clearly seen that even taking into account all the necessary expenses when growing strawberries in a greenhouse, this business is very profitable.

According to experts, the payback of the primary costs of the strawberry business, when growing berries in a greenhouse, is no more than 3 months, to this it is necessary to add another 3 months for plant growth, ovary and ripening of berries. As a result, it turns out that within six months you can get a net profit.

Business – strawberries all year round. Agrotechnics of cultivation

Choosing a greenhouse

The soil

To ensure intensive and continuous fruiting, ordinary garden or vegetable soil is not suitable; it is necessary to use only an enriched, highly nutritious substrate. To independently prepare 500 kg of suitable soil, you will need:

• Straw (wheat or oats) – 300 kg.
• Mullein or chicken droppings – 190 kg.
• Ground chalk – 7 kg.
• Urea – 3 kg.

After preparing all components, composting is carried out. To do this, they are laid out in a pile in layers: 20 cm straw, 12 cm dung or mullein, urea. Lay out layers until a pile is formed with a height of about 1.8–2 m; its width can be arbitrary, but it is more convenient if it is 1.5 m. When forming a pile, each layer is poured with warm (not hot) water. water. On average, the fermentation process begins within a week. In order for fermentation to proceed evenly, the components are mixed every 10 days, adding chalk in equal doses. After completing the composting process, the nutrient soil (substrate) should have:

• color – dark brown;
• structure – homogeneous, light;
• There is no ammonia smell.

When creating a home business, strawberries are grown under the same conditions as in a greenhouse: light level, preparation of a nutrient medium, watering. The only thing that agricultural technicians recommend changing is the containers for planting seedlings. There is no need to install racks with bulky boxes in a room, garage or on a balcony. Instead, you can propagate plants using the Dutch method in bags or grow them in some kind of hanging compact container.

Watering

It is optimal to use the drip irrigation method for irrigating strawberries. Such a system consists of simple structures:

• flexible, rubber hoses with pre-drilled holes;
• dropper;
• the source of water is an ordinary tap or watering container.

With drip irrigation, water flows directly under the plant, to the root system, nourishing it without waterlogging the soil.

How to make money on strawberries - implementation

Don't know how to make money from strawberries? Before starting a business, you need to think in advance about how and where to subsequently sell your products. Considering the properties of strawberries (a delicate berry that cannot be stored without special equipment), this question is very relevant.

Marketing methods

• Independent sale.
  The method is quite problematic since, firstly, it is necessary to rent retail space, at least some kind of stall, secondly, to purchase equipment for storing and cooling berries and, thirdly, to have a lot of free time for trading.
• Sales of berries to retail chains - supermarkets, private sellers, mini-stores.
  This option is not bad. After concluding a supply agreement, providing a certificate of product quality and a document about the fertilizers used during cultivation, you can supply the berries to the retail chain and receive your legal income without worrying about anything.
• Supply of berries to processing plants.
  As a rule, such enterprises pay significantly less for the products provided than what can be received from sellers of fresh berries, but there is also a positive aspect here - volumes. For people who have large areas of strawberry planting, this option can be extremely profitable if they sign a long-term agreement with the company with regular supplies of raw materials.

Video about strawberry business for beginners

Strawberries are one of the most beloved and popular berries. Even despite the high price, it is consistently purchased throughout the year. After the introduction of a number of sanctions by the European Union, its supplies to the Russian market decreased significantly. For entrepreneurs, this is a real chance to fill a vacant niche and organize a highly profitable business. Below is a sample business plan for growing strawberries in a greenhouse with calculations and development examples.

Organizational and legal aspects of business

The development of a business plan for growing strawberries should begin with solving organizational and legal issues. It should be taken into account that the sale of grown products in large retail chains and even in markets is impossible without appropriate legal registration.

To do this, you will need to register either as an individual entrepreneur or obtain the status of a legal entity. In the first case, the manufacturer will have the opportunity to use a simplified taxation system, which involves paying 6% of net income.

Also, depending on the region, other tax deductions and benefits provided for agricultural producers may be applied. In this case, everywhere it will be mandatory to issue a phytosanitary certificate and obtain a Declaration of Conformity. So, how to create a business plan for growing strawberries.

Calculations of profitability indicators

A ready-made business plan for growing strawberries in a greenhouse all year round must necessarily include calculations of profitability indicators. The price for this type of product is steadily increasing, but during the berry picking season in the open ground it may decrease slightly. At the moment, only 5% of the total strawberries are grown industrially in Russia.

If in open ground the yield indicators are strongly influenced by weather conditions, then in greenhouse farming the dependence on them is minimal. That is why when grown indoors the profitability is 100%. In this case, the payback period usually does not exceed 1 year. Below is an example of a business plan for growing strawberries all year round using the hydroponic method.

Greenhouse construction

To grow strawberries year-round, you will need to build a winter greenhouse with heating. The type of heating will directly depend on the climatic conditions of the region and the availability of certain resources. The most common option is water heating. It usually consists of a water heating boiler, a pipe system and an expansion tank. For more uniform heating, pipes are placed not only around the perimeter, but also under racks with containers.

Another heating option involves using electricity. Depending on the heating method, it can be cable, that is, equipped like a “warm floor” or air. Air heating involves the use of fan heaters. To reduce possible risks during the growing process, it is recommended to combine heating types. For example, in a greenhouse with water heating, an additional “warm floor” system is installed.

In a year-round greenhouse, in addition to heating, you will also need to equip a lighting system. In winter, strawberries will not have enough natural light, so they will have to be artificially illuminated. Sodium lamps or, in other words, DNAZ, are best suited for this purpose. As an alternative, LED lighting can be used. But its price is much higher.

Glass can be used to cover a winter greenhouse. It has both advantages and disadvantages. Its main disadvantages include high risk of injury and heavy weight. Therefore, cellular polycarbonate is most often used to cover modern greenhouses. It has excellent thermal insulation properties with relatively low weight and high strength values.

Strawberry growing technology

There are several basic technologies for growing strawberries indoors. But the most profitable and promising at the moment is. It allows you to significantly reduce the cost of production due to the absence of costs for tillage. Also, modern hydroponic installations can be installed in several tiers, which allows you to increase the planting area and, accordingly, profit. The average yield of one hydroponic container measuring 6x3 meters, subject to technology, ranges from 800 to 1000 kg.

The technology of growing on high ridges gives excellent results indoors. When using it, the investment in equipment will be significantly lower. Raised beds are much easier to maintain than hydroponic systems. Even unskilled workers can cope with this task after appropriate instruction. Watering and fertilizing of plants during such cultivation is carried out using micro-drip application.

There is another progressive method of growing strawberries indoors - this is the so-called Dutch technology. Its essence lies in the use of special film sleeves filled with a nutrient substrate. Moreover, the sleeves can be positioned both horizontally and vertically.

In a horizontal arrangement, the bushes are planted in a checkerboard pattern at a distance of no more than 25 cm. A vertical arrangement involves the use of plastic pipes. Holes with a diameter of at least 7 cm are cut in them at a distance of 25 cm from each other.

An organizational plan for growing strawberries in a greenhouse must necessarily include the purchase of planting material. For year-round cultivation, remontant varieties are usually used. They are capable of producing multiple harvests. The effectiveness of the project will largely depend on the correct selection of varieties. When choosing them, it is best to consult with specialists.

In industrial production, the technology for preserving seedlings “Frigo” is most often used. Its essence is to preserve planting material at a temperature of -1°C. In this state, seedlings can be stored for several years without reducing their properties and viability, which is very convenient for industrial production. If necessary, the required amount of planting material is removed from the refrigerator.

Strawberries are a very delicate berry; you need to be careful when picking them. You shouldn’t touch it with your hands or move it too much. Therefore, it is most often collected directly into a sales box, in which it is sent to the end consumer. It is advisable to conduct preliminary training with the collectors and explain to them in detail the collection rules. In the future, this will avoid spoilage of crop batches.

Purchasing additional equipment

A financial plan for organizing a strawberry business should also include a cost item for the purchase of additional equipment. Regardless of the production volume, to properly organize the production process, you will need to purchase packaging equipment and refrigeration units.

Modern packaging machines allow you to place berries in special plastic containers coated with transparent cling film. For variety, you can use other types of packaging. For example, in winter strawberries are often bought as gifts, so it makes sense to place a plastic container in gift baskets. In this simple way you can significantly increase the competitiveness of your products.

The presentation of the product is very important to the buyer. Therefore, the production plan must necessarily include the use of refrigeration equipment. It allows you to immediately cool the collected berries, thereby extending their shelf life to 10 days.

Possible distribution channels

A well-developed marketing plan for a company should include a strategy for selling finished products. In most cases, it is not profitable to maintain your own points of sale. This option is suitable only for small volumes. It is much easier to sell finished products in wholesale quantities. In this case, part of the risks associated with sales falls on the acquirers.

A very profitable and convenient option would be for up to 80% of products to be sold to supermarkets. They always require consistently large volumes of production. But it should be taken into account that they have very high requirements for product quality. It must be one-dimensional, uniform in maturity and without the slightest external defects.

Another channel for selling products can be processors. It is desirable that the share of products sold by them does not exceed 30%. Among their advantages, it is worth noting low quality requirements. The main thing for them is that the berries are clean and fresh. The disadvantage is the lower price.

Pricing plays a big role in attracting customers. To interest potential buyers, try offering them a lucrative discount system or free shipping.

Projected income and expenses

In addition to the initial investment, a businessman should take into account other expenses. The bulk of them will be bills for utilities, taxes and workers' salaries. If we take a small greenhouse with an area of ​​120 m2 as a basis, then on average you will need to spend about 25,000 rubles on its heating and lighting. In the summer, this amount will be significantly lower and will not exceed several thousand rubles. To maintain the greenhouse you will need to hire at least 2 people. With an average salary of 20,000, the total cost for them will be 40,000 rubles.

Now let's calculate the planned income. With intensive cultivation technology, the average yield from the greenhouse described above is about 700-800 kg. The average year-round price of strawberries is about 250 rubles. per kilogram. Thus, you can get 200,000 rubles per month from a greenhouse. Let us subtract the costs of utilities and salaries from there and as a result we get 135,000 rubles of income. A small part of this amount will also be spent on packaging and transportation costs.

Whatever calculations are taken into account, the success of a strawberry growing business will primarily depend on establishing as many distribution channels as possible. Compliance with growing technology also plays an important role. With a competent marketing policy, very good results can be achieved in this field.

One of the profitable and promising ways to make money is a strawberry business. With a small investment you can make a profit all year round. To organize a business, it is enough to master the basic technologies of growing berries. Lack of experience in this field will not be a hindrance in promoting your idea. However, you should prepare for large volumes of activities, the implementation of which is impossible without the application of physical labor.

Growing strawberries

Business Features

The aromatic berry is a favorite delicacy of most people. This is due to its unique taste, dietary properties and the presence of a full range of vitamins. Its cost is high even during the summer season. Despite the fact that in winter prices go beyond reasonable limits, the product is instantly sold out. By growing strawberries, you can definitely quickly succeed in business and open the door to the world of financial freedom.

Methods for planting strawberries

Under natural conditions, strawberries bear fruit for only one summer month. Depending on the climate zone, you can count on harvest from the beginning of May to the end of June. This time is not enough to enjoy the unique aroma of the product, and also have time to make money from its sale. In order for your business to earn good money all year round and acquire the status of your main income, it is recommended to plant strawberries in greenhouses and regularly collect their fruits. Strawberries in a greenhouse all year round as a business are distinguished by quick payback and high profitability.

Advantages

Business on strawberries grown in protected soil conditions has many advantages over making money based on trading in berries grown in natural conditions. You can note such obvious advantages as:

• making a profit all year round;
• the use of small areas for planting due to the possibility of arranging multi-tiered beds;
• absence of exposure to negative weather conditions, which ensures the safety of the crop in full;
• plant protection from pests;
• high level of profitability parameter, reaching 100 percent;
• return on investment for business development within one season;
• low competition during the off-season;
• Possibility of distribution to stores, catering establishments, as well as to the end consumer.

Flaws

Diseases and pests of strawberries

Every business has its drawbacks. They are usually associated with difficulties and a potential list of problems that a new entrepreneur may face. Growing strawberries as a business also has some negative elements, which relate to the need to invest money in a project to build a greenhouse, equip it with a heating and lighting system, as well as purchase planting material.

Which variety to choose

When drawing up a business plan for growing strawberries in a greenhouse all year round, you should pay special attention to the choice of strawberry variety, since the yield, appearance of the product, as well as the amount of income received depend on this parameter.

It is recommended to pay attention to remontant varieties that bear fruit several times a year and do not require pollination for berry formation. When planting small strawberry bushes in a greenhouse, you should pay attention to several varieties at once that have different ripening periods in order to eliminate periods of downtime due to the coincidence of ripening times. The berry must be dense, since it is important for it to withstand long-term transportation. Its rich aroma, regular shape and impressive size will surely attract the attention of consumers.

How to plant strawberries correctly

Businessmen experienced in this field choose varieties such as Alba, Darenka, Octava, Sonata, Rusanovskaya and Honey. The berries of almost all varieties have a dense structure, resistance to pests and major plant diseases. They retain their aesthetic appearance for a long time, are well transported and tolerate temperature fluctuations. Experienced entrepreneurs recommend planting varieties of Dutch, Polish and American selection in greenhouses, which not only take root well in greenhouses, but also do not get sick and produce high yields.

Strawberries are a tasty and healthy berry, the cultivation of which for the purpose of building a business can bring good profits. If the owner of such an enterprise follows all the recommendations and requirements regarding the cultivation of strawberries, then he will be able to get a good income, especially in the summer, when the season begins.

If you organize the growing procedure correctly, the strawberry business will be able to generate profit all year round.

Growing strawberries all year round becomes a very profitable business, because in one season you can collect about 20 tons of tasty, ripe and juicy berries from 1 hectare. And in some cases, the yield can reach 50 tons! Suppliers set the highest prices for their goods out of season or at the very beginning of it. Usually the harvest begins from mid-spring to the end of autumn.

To start such a business, an entrepreneur will need to make a certain monetary contribution, purchase seedlings, auxiliary materials for planting and care, fertilizers, and create an effective irrigation system. Perhaps the main advantage of this area is that this berry does not require any special care or the use of expensive technological solutions.

When starting a new business, the first thing an entrepreneur needs to do is create an effective business plan.

For this purpose, a study of the advantages and disadvantages of the activity is carried out. A novice businessman should understand that the accessibility of a business and a low level of capital investment are not yet a harbinger of success. At the start, problems will certainly arise, the skillful resolution of which will allow the new business to develop in the right direction.

Strawberries are often grown in greenhouses, since this approach allows for a year-round harvest. In open ground, this berry bears fruit in the spring and summer, but in greenhouse conditions the berries can be picked at any time of the year. In addition, the greenhouse growing procedure has a number of other positive properties:

• Bad weather cannot affect the quantity and quality of the harvest, as happens in open ground. The berries are reliably protected by film and will not rot due to high soil moisture.
• This kind of home business is characterized by a quick payback. The entrepreneur will be able to return the invested funds in one season.
• Strawberries grown in a greenhouse look more beautiful. Supermarkets are more willing to sell them.
• The cost of greenhouse strawberries can be increased in the fall, winter and early spring, when the season for such a berry has not yet arrived.
• Greenhouse strawberries occupy a much smaller area than those planted in open ground.
• In some cases, profitability may exceed the 100% barrier.

Among the significant disadvantages of greenhouse cultivation are:

• The need for serious capital investment. Despite the fact that, compared to other business areas, growing berries requires minimal start-up costs, sometimes entry into it is still quite expensive for the average person.
• Berries need constant care. Regular artificial pollination and the creation of optimal lighting and irrigation conditions are required.
• Greenhouse berries differ significantly in taste from those grown in natural conditions.

Growing methods

In modern gardening, there are several ways to grow strawberries. Each of them has its own characteristics and advantages. Among these methods there are those that are used most often:

• Planting in open ground.
• Growing in a greenhouse.
• Dutch way.

Open ground

Growing in open ground is cheaper at cost, but the entrepreneur will receive a much smaller harvest than when cultivating berries in a greenhouse. The use of special equipment is not required here.

Greenhouse

Growing in greenhouse conditions is a more complex process, but this does not detract from its popularity among professional gardeners. The main advantage is the ability to harvest all year round.

Out of season, an entrepreneur can set a higher price for berries without increasing his own costs. However, to cultivate plants in a greenhouse you will have to spend more money than when growing them in open ground.

Dutch method

The Dutch cultivation method involves planting mustaches in special long bags (their size reaches two meters in length). Fertile soil is poured inside the bags before planting. Next, holes with a diameter of about 8 cm are made across the entire surface of the bag, and they should be located in a checkerboard pattern. It is in them that the seedling is planted.

The main advantage of the Dutch method lies in the fact that even in small areas you can grow a large crop of strawberries. You can hang bags of shoots not only in greenhouses, but also in any heated rooms. This could be a garage, balcony, barn, etc. The main thing is to properly organize the cultivation system, think through the principles of irrigation and proper lighting.

Choosing a variety

To develop your business, it is better to purchase strawberry shoots (tendrils) of the first or second order. As for the varieties of this berry, it is better to give preference to those that have a well-developed rosette part and also have fairly strong roots.

The level of berry yield also plays a big role in choosing a variety. Among the most successful varieties that are most suitable for building a business are:

• Will;
• Elsanta;
• Glima;
• Red Capulet;
• Cambridge;
• Vizhe;
• Kama.

Planting and care

Strawberry productivity depends not only on the correctly chosen variety. Proper care is of great importance, as is compliance with recommendations when planting a mustache.

It is first recommended to place strawberry seedlings in small pots filled with a peat mixture. These containers must have drainage holes that will ensure the drainage of excess moisture during watering. If they are not there, the roots will begin to rot. It is advisable to purchase soil for planting in specialized garden stores. However, if desired, you can prepare it yourself by taking ordinary soil from your garden plot and treating it with a high concentration of potassium permanganate solution.

If you prepare the soil yourself, then you should definitely add fertilizers containing nitrogen, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus.

In the first ten days of April The seedlings can now be transplanted into open ground. After harvesting in the first season, it is definitely recommended to thoroughly plow the plantation where the strawberries grew. This will make it possible to increase the yield of berries in the next season.

Caring for the plant requires regular but moderate watering. This procedure is carried out at the root, and it is advisable not to touch or injure the fruits and leaves of the plant. The optimal solution is drip irrigation technology.

If strawberries are grown in greenhouses in winter, then the entrepreneur needs to take care of protecting the berries from frost. Plants will do well at a temperature of +18-20 degrees. It is good if they are pollinated artificially and periodically fed with nitrogen. Pollination of strawberry inflorescences on small plantations is done manually. To do this, pollen is transferred from the pistils to the stamens using a brush.

If the planting area is large, then pollination can be carried out, creating conditions as close as possible to natural ones. If in nature pollen is transferred from flower to flower by a wind flow, then in a greenhouse it is worth creating such a flow with the help of a switched on fan. In summer, you can install hives with bees on the site. These hard workers will help pollinate the flower stalks.

Sales of goods

To ensure the prosperity of a business, it is necessary to collect berries correctly and efficiently. The harvest should not be crushed or damaged, so after harvesting strawberries should not be poured from box to box. Ideally, it is better to collect it in pre-prepared boxes, which are then sent to the place where the products are sold. The optimal container would be plastic boxes or plastic baskets.

The method of implementation depends mainly on the season. In summer, producers send berries to the market, and in winter – to supermarkets. It should be noted that supermarkets have high demands on the quality of berries, so the supplier must carefully monitor it.

There is a third implementation option. The berries can be sold to processors involved in the production of various juices, yoghurts, jams and other goodies. In this direction it is possible to sell about 30% of the harvest.

Project costs

Most experts agree that individual retail outlets for selling homemade strawberries will not always be profitable for an entrepreneur. In winter, he will have to establish cooperation with the owners of supermarkets, where, in fact, about 80% of the harvest goes. In spring and summer, the berry is in greater demand in the markets.

In order for home growing to be effective, an entrepreneur needs to invest heavily in starting his business. It is advisable to store the collected berries in the refrigerator, so you should take care of purchasing such a unit in advance. A good refrigeration chamber will allow the product to remain in its marketable condition for two weeks.

Start-up costs are related to the following aspects:

• Purchase of seedlings. This plant reproduces by means of tendrils. And to start growing, it is better to choose mustaches that are not only healthy, but also have well-developed roots and a rosette.
• Greenhouse equipment and room selection. Depending on how large the business is, the optimal material for constructing the greenhouse is selected.

This design can be polycarbonate, film frame or glass. The most inexpensive is a film greenhouse. A glass greenhouse provides the opportunity for year-round cultivation of berries. However, equipping a glass room will require large financial investments, which is not always advisable for a novice entrepreneur.

The golden mean in this case would be a greenhouse structure made of polycarbonate. It is a frame structure for which there is no need to build a foundation. The frame is made of galvanized metal, and polycarbonate sheets are already attached to it. Such a greenhouse maintains optimal temperature conditions, and polycarbonate allows a large amount of sunlight to penetrate inside. Polycarbonate structures are recommended by many experts as the optimal solution for year-round cultivation of berries.

Payback period and profit level

Business profitability is a concept that provides for the relationship between its cost and the profit received. You can determine the profitability of an activity by finding out either its cost or the cost of growing berries with the addition of a trade margin.

How is the cost determined? It is made up of the price of planting material, building rent, fertilizers, and payment of wages to employees. If the scale of the business is small, then the entrepreneur has the opportunity to reduce costs by independently performing the cultivation procedure, without resorting to the help of hired workers. The cost of strawberries per 1 kg averages $1.5.

Many entrepreneurs experience an increase in profits in the strawberry business in the winter, when it is very difficult to get such berries.

A few years ago, the cost of strawberries per 1 kg was about $6. If the manufacturer uses modern technologies, he will certainly be able to achieve a significant increase in yield (from 40 to 50 tons can be harvested from 1 hectare). If you make calculations, it will become clear that for such a harvest the entrepreneur will be able to receive $225 thousand net income. The profitability in this example will be 75%, which is very good.

Many professionals who have been involved in strawberry cultivation for a long time say that the profitability of this area is almost 100%. Moreover, all invested funds will pay off very quickly - literally for 1-2 seasons.

Video about this business

In the video you will hear a detailed story about caring for this berry using modern methods:

A completely different result can be obtained if you grow strawberries in your garden. The advantages of growing strawberries and strawberries in a greenhouse are obvious. This will allow get several harvests a year, will significantly reduce the risk of plant diseases and its dependence on weather conditions.

By observing the desired temperature, humidity and watering, you can grow berries that have the most optimal taste and external qualities, while maintaining maximum beneficial properties.

Technology

There are essentially two technologies for growing strawberries - Russian and Dutch. But we must pay tribute to our inventive gardeners, who immediately figured out how to reduce the cost of Dutch technology.

Russian

The technology for growing strawberries in a greenhouse is as follows: the greenhouse is divided into beds (their number depends on the size of the structure) 1 m wide. Bushes are planted in the prepared soil at a distance of approximately 30 cm from each other. Can plant in rows or staggered patterns.

Dutch

This method gives high yields due to a larger number of plants per 1 square meter. m greenhouse. How to properly grow strawberries using this technology? Instead of beds, tiers are built, on which pots with seedlings are located. 1 pot – 1 plant. The number of tiers depends only on the height at which it is convenient for the gardener to process it. Advantages this way obvious:

• higher yield;
• convenience of picking berries;
• lower risk of disease, since the berry does not come into contact with the ground;
• high quality of the resulting products due to the fact that the plant receives enough light, oxygen and heat;
• saving water for irrigation.

Russian answer to Dutch technology

Our gardeners were quick to reduce the cost of Dutch technology by offering an alternative to pots in the form of plastic bags. Soil is poured into them and holes are made on top, into which strawberry rosettes are planted.

The bags can be placed horizontally, or vertical beds can be made from them. This option has a significant disadvantage - it is difficulty in processing and watering. However, this option is quite popular.

Variety selection

Choosing the right strawberry varieties for the greenhouse is half the battle. How to grow strawberries in a greenhouse and what varieties should be planted? When choosing planting material, you should pay attention to the following parameters:

• the size of the berries and their taste;
• remontant varieties;
• daylight neutrality;
• the region for which the hybrid was bred;
• productivity;
• disease resistance;
• self-pollinating strawberry varieties.

If, then the best varieties of strawberries for the greenhouse are these are dense and not watery, with medium-sized berries. It withstands transportation well and sells better than small or large ones.

Alba– an early variety with large berries and high transport qualities, resistant to diseases;

Octave has the same qualities as Alba;

Queen Elizabeth– remontant variety, sweet large berry of medium density, bears fruit not only on bushes, but also on rosettes of the same year, suitable for transportation, requires annual renewal;

Honey– large dense berries up to 45 g, has high immunity and is resistant to temperature changes.

Alice– unpretentious, with good immunity and large berries;

Christine– early ripening, suitable for transportation.

First of all, the yield of strawberries in a greenhouse depends on the choice of variety and growing technology. When creating optimal conditions and proper care, the plant will produce several harvests per year.
The following factors influence the yield:

• method of cultivation;
• choosing a greenhouse;
• quality of planting material;
• temperature, humidity and watering;
• properly selected fertilizers;
• disease resistance;
• light mode;
• correctly selected pollination mode.

Growing all year round

How to grow strawberries in a greenhouse all year round? Growing strawberries in a greenhouse requires certain knowledge and compliance with technology. Then a good result will be ensured.

Choosing a greenhouse

This is an important factor, because the greenhouse must meet such requirements as good thermal insulation, light transmittance, strength and resistance to adverse weather conditions.

The most suitable options are glass And . How to do it yourself, read on our website.

Planting material

From its quality in many respects the end result depends, so it is better to purchase it from trusted nurseries. The second option, which is more reliable, is to grow it yourself from already proven varieties. It is best to select planting material from plants grown in open ground.

To do this, during the summer, select the strongest, best-bearing bushes. Mark them with a stick with an inscription. At the end of July Gather your strongest, well-rooted mustache with a developed socket. They can be transplanted to a separate place, so that by mid-autumn (approximately the end of October) they can be transferred to a permanent place in the greenhouse.

Soil preparation

When growing strawberries using Russian technology, the soil is prepared as follows:

• the bottom of the prepared bed is covered with expanded clay or small crushed stone to a depth of 5-7 cm;
• followed by a layer of sand from 8 to 10 cm;
• a layer of fertile soil is laid on top of the sand and fertilized with superphosphate and ammonium nitrate (10 g per 1 sq. m).

Peat can be added to the soil; it will not only give it porosity, but also provide the required level of acidity. In addition to these fertilizers, you can also add potassium chloride(15 g per 1 sq. m). In Dutch technology, when using pots, the soil must be sterile, non-toxic and porous. You can use steamed peat with sand, coconut fiber, or perlite. The soil must be prepared long before planting strawberries.

Landing

Planting takes place from late October to late November or late February - early March. To plant rosettes, 8-10 cm depressions are made in the garden bed. Distance between bushes should be about 30 cm. To avoid long-term adaptation of the plant to a new place, replanting planting material is best done by transshipment, leaving more soil on the roots.

Upon landing you can’t cover the growing point with soil. Immediately after planting, the soil is mulched with sawdust to retain moisture. You should not cover the bed with film in the greenhouse; this can lead to stagnation of moisture and rotting of the roots. The first days in the greenhouse the temperature should be maintained at least 25°; subsequently, it can be gradually lowered to 15°.

Photo of strawberries in a greenhouse:

Features of care

Strawberries are a great capricious plant, so for a good harvest it is important strict adherence to care rules for her.

Pollination

If you do not take care of pollination, you may not get a harvest at all. This is the main difficulty of growing strawberries in a greenhouse. In the open ground it is pollinated by insects, with the help of wind and rain. For strawberries in a greenhouse, you can use the following equipment and methods:

1. Organize wind with fans. They will create air movement that will carry pollen from one plant to another. Per 100 sq. 3 fans are enough. They turn on only during the flowering period. A few hours a day will be enough. To grow remontant strawberries in a greenhouse, this will need to be done more often, since they bloom several times per season. In this case switching on should be done up to 3 times a week for 3-4 hours. Efficiency up to 90%.
2. If the greenhouse is large, you can put a hive with bees in it. However, this method has a number of difficulties.

   There is not enough space for the bees to fly out, so they will have to be released. In addition, they can sting. But the pollination efficiency is up to 95%.

3. Spraying water from stationary sprayers - organizing artificial rain. Due to pollen sticking together with moisture, pollination efficiency is only 45%.
4. In case of not very strong wind and warm weather you can just make a draft in the greenhouse, opening windows or doors on opposite sides.

Temperature and humidity

If after planting the temperature can be lowered to 15°, then as the vegetative mass accumulates and the plant prepares for flowering, the temperature must be increased again.

During this period it should not be below 18°. During flowering you need to maintain the temperature 22-25° to prevent the ovary from falling off.

Important! Too high a temperature will cause excessive leaf growth to the detriment of fruit quality.

Humidity is an important indicator for plant development. After planting, for better development of seedlings, it should not be lower than 85%. When the seedlings take root, it is gradually reduced to 75%. During flowering and fruiting, air humidity should not exceed 70%.

Illumination

Lighting directly affects strawberry yield. This is especially important if you grow strawberries. On average, in winter, the daylight hours for a plant should be at least 12 hours. You can lengthen it as follows: including artificial lighting:

• in the morning from 8 to 11;
• in the evening from 17 to 20 hours.

To organize additional lighting in the greenhouse, fluorescent lamps with a blue spectrum are suitable. To grow strawberries with light, they can be mount directly above the beds. They do not provide heat and cannot harm plants. You can also use mercury and sodium lamps designed specifically for greenhouses. A sodium lamp has a color spectrum similar to that of sunlight.

Watering

The most convenient way is drip irrigation. The good thing is that fertilizers can be dissolved in water; the automatic system is adjusted to the frequency and volume of watering. After planting and before flowering, the sprinkling method is used. Then it is replaced by watering at the root to avoid water getting on the leaves. Watering norm for strawberries- 1 time every 10 days.

When the first fruits appear, watering is increased up to 1-2 times a week in the morning or watered as needed. Collect ripe fruits before watering.

Top dressing

You need to feed strawberries once a week. Before applying fertilizers, watering is carried out. Before ovaries form make liquid fertilizer. Bird droppings are often used, dissolved in a ratio of 1:15.

The following composition is also used: potassium salt (17 g), phosphorus fertilizer (20 g), ammonium nitrate (10) are diluted in 10 liters of water. Can use special fertilizers for strawberries, which are now on sale in a large assortment. Before fruiting begins, liquid feeding is stopped.

Diseases and their prevention.

A greenhouse is not a complete protection against the occurrence of various diseases in a plant.

But prevention is easier than cure, therefore measures should be taken to prevent them:

• regularly ventilate the greenhouse;
• do not plant seedlings too close to each other;
• do not overwater the plant;
• apply fertilizers on time.

Major diseases

1. White rot. Occurs when humidity is too high and is practically untreatable. The diseased plant is immediately removed and burned. For prevention you can dry the air in a greenhouse;
2. White spotting. The cause is excessive watering and high humidity. It is treated with Falcon, Euparen or copper sulfate according to the instructions for them;
3. Powdery mildew. Reason: high humidity and low temperature. Treated with copper sulfate or soap solution (4%). It is best to remove the diseased plant and adjust the temperature and humidity;
4. Late blight. Affects the roots of the plant. Sign: redness of the roots may not be immediately detectable. Therefore, if at the end of May the plant begins to dry out, it needs to be dug up and the roots checked.

Treatment with Quadrix partially helps, but it is better to remove such a plant and carry out wellness procedures remaining landings.

Growing strawberries in a greenhouse requires costs– labor and financial. But the result is worth it. When everyone else takes the frozen berries out of the refrigerator, you can enjoy them straight from the bush. Good luck and a delicious, bountiful harvest!

Watch the video on how to grow strawberries in a greenhouse: