Can strawberries be grown in a greenhouse all year round?

Strawberries are considered the most popular berry loved by both adults and children, which is why the business of growing it in a greenhouse has a very high profitability... It is also worth considering the fact that in the off-season, the cost of this berry increases several times, but the demand remains at the same level, which allows you to get significant income.

Can strawberries be grown all year round?

In order to build a profitable strawberry business, you need to think over all the details of berry reproduction and decide on the method and place of cultivation.:

1. Growing strawberries outdoors in the country, you can get a rich harvest, but marketing it will be quite difficult. The main role in this issue is played by the factor of seasonality and great competition for this period. Also, we must not forget about the weather, which, with unfavorable indicators, can destroy most of the berry plantations;
2. The greenhouse method is the most profitable, because when using it, you can pick ripe fruits not only in late spring-early summer, but also at other times of the year. A correctly selected complex of varieties will allow you to get a continuous harvest and, accordingly, profit all year round. The berries grown in the greenhouse will be protected from the effects of natural factors.

Growing strawberries in a greenhouse all year round

Using greenhouses, you can grow strawberries all year round, but you should carefully study all the factors and protect yourself from all kinds of risks. First of all, it should be noted that such a business will be profitable only in areas with warm or temperate climates.... In harsher conditions, you will have to spend more money on heating and lighting the greenhouse, which will create additional costs.

Pros and cons of the strawberry business

Growing strawberries in a greenhouse is well suited for your own business and has many advantages:

• Strawberries are a very popular berry, so finding sales channels is not difficult... You can sell the crop both for fresh sale and for processing;
• Low enough competition - the main peak of strawberry sales is the seasonal period, but the rest of the time the berries are in short supply and therefore the price for them increases several times;
• When growing fruits in a greenhouse there is no need to be afraid that the amount of the crop will decrease due to unfavorable weather conditions;
• Using modern methods of growing berries in a greenhouse, you can grow the largest yield in the smallest area;
• The strawberry business is very pays off quickly.

The minimum area required to start a business is just a few square meters

Also, this type of earnings have significant drawbacks that should be taken into account when building a business plan.:

• High cost of greenhouses and other equipment, because of which it will be necessary to prepare a solid start-up capital;
• Strawberries require constant care and favorable living conditions, that is, when growing it, you will have to carefully monitor the level of lighting, heating, soil moisture and other indicators. For novice gardeners, the main difficulty may be the need for artificial pollination;
• High heating cost and electricity.

The strawberry business is best suited for seasoned gardeners looking to capitalize on their hobby. The main difficulty of such a business of its own lies in the competent cultivation of berries, while making a profit from the sale of a quality crop will always be at a high level.

Where to start a strawberry business?

Before you start growing strawberries, you need to prepare the land and the greenhouse. It is also very important to competently treat the choice of the cultivated variety.

Soil preparation for growing berries

Growing strawberries in greenhouses in winter can be done using sod land

To start growing berries on an industrial scale it will be enough to purchase 1 hectare of land... With a small start-up capital, the required plot can be rented.

In the opinion of most businessmen, the most profitable will be a land plot located near the city and directly by the highway. In this case, it will be possible to significantly save on transportation of the crop.

One of the most important nuances will be the selection of a soil mixture for growing berries. Strawberries take root and bear fruit in the best way on the soil, consisting of the following components:

• 2 pieces of turf;
• 1 part of humus;
• Ash;
• Mineral fertilizers;
• In order to reduce the level of soil acidity, superphosphate, potassium chloride or ammonium nitrate are added to it.

Before planting seedlings, the ground must be loosened.

Greenhouse selection

For organizing a profitable business, polycarbonate greenhouses are best suited. In total, there are three types of greenhouses, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages.:

1. Frame greenhousescovered with a film is the cheapest option, moreover, such a structure is very quickly installed. The disadvantage of this greenhouse will be insufficient protection of plantings in the winter;
2. Glass greenhouses are also suitable for running a strawberry business. A heating system can be installed in such structures, and the glass surface allows sunlight to pass through well, so that the best conditions for plants can be created. The downside of the structure will be its size and the need to build a foundation;
3. Polycarbonate greenhouses it is the most expensive, but at the same time the most advantageous option for strawberry farming. Additional heating and lighting can be installed in them; polycarbonate also transmits sunlight well. The structure of the greenhouse is light and durable, and can last for a long period of time.

At the initial stage, it is possible to build 3 greenhouses measuring 30 by 40 meters. One such construction will cost 80-100 thousand rubles..

Necessary equipment

In order to get a harvest not only in summer, but also at other times, it is necessary to install additional lighting and heating in the greenhouse, with which you can get the optimal microclimate for strawberries.

To create an artificial heating system of the structure, an infrared cable or pipes are laid underground, through which warm air will be driven. For heating, you can use an electric boiler or stove stoves.

There are different ways to heat a winter greenhouse.

Additional lighting plays a huge role when growing strawberries during seasons with short daylight hours. Best suited for 400 watt sodium lampswith which you can create an imitation of sunlight. One lamp should be one meter above the plant and illuminate no more than 1 square meter of area.

To improve light diffusion, special reflectors can be installed.

Considering that strawberries tolerate drip irrigation well, it is necessary to build a special system, which will consist of a barrel of water installed above the racks with plants and a rubber tube lying on the surface of the ground. Small holes are made in the rubber pipe, the number of which should be equal to the number of bushes.

Strawberry drip irrigation system

Choosing a strawberry variety

In order for the business to generate a sufficient amount of profit, it is necessary to grow tasty and beautiful berries that will please the consumer. Which varieties are most suitable for growing in a greenhouse? For planting in greenhouses, you should choose remontant varieties that do not require artificial pollination..

Self-pollinated varieties with large, regular-shaped, bright red colored berries are best suited for business. The presence of a rich aroma is encouraged. It is also necessary to pay attention to the density of the fruit, because the portability of transportation and the shelf life depend on it.

The most popular are the following strawberry varieties:

• Alba;
• Daryonka;
• Octave;
• Sonata;
• Rusanovskaya;
• Honey, etc.

For best results, different types of plants (early maturing, mid-maturing and late-maturing) are planted in each greenhouse. Thus, a continuous crop flow can be ensured.

Planting and leaving

Planting and caring for strawberries is the most responsible part of the work, because the quantity and quality of the harvested crop depends on it.

When planting strawberries in a greenhouse, you must adhere to the following rules:

1. Before placing the seedlings in a permanent place, it kept in a dark and cool room for several days with a temperature of +2 degrees;
2. Using Dutch suspension technology each seedling is placed in a separate pot filled with a nutritious substrate;
3. If the bushes are planted in the ground, then the distance between the rows should be 35-40 centimeters, and between individual plants 20-25 centimeters;
4. During landing you can not bury the heart of the plant;
5. The final step will be watering planted bushes.

In order for the strawberry to feel comfortable, adhere to the following indicators:

• immediately after landing the temperature in the greenhouse is gradually increased from 10 to 22 degrees, with the beginning of flowering, this indicator is increased to 25 degrees;
• humidity should be equal to 75-80 percent;
• daylight hours should be equal to 10-12 hours.

Water the strawberries with a drip method as the soil dries. Once every 7-10 days after watering, the soil is gently loosened.

When growing plants, it is very important to remove weeds in time, cut off excess tendrils, shoots and damaged leaves.

Pollinate strawberries using soft brushes or intensive ventilation. Some gardeners set up hives in the greenhouse.

Once every 14-20 days, the soil must be fertilized with ammonium nitrate and potassium chloride diluted in water... It is also very important to carry out preventive treatments for diseases and insects.

As soon as the strawberries are ripe, you can start picking berries. It is best to do this job manually. In this case, the berries will not hesitate and retain their presentable appearance.

Sales of manufactured products

After the strawberries are harvested, you need to sell them. It should be noted that even the most mature strawberry varieties do not have a long shelf life, therefore, it is best to think over the distribution channels in advance and conclude a supply agreement at the same time.

Freshly harvested strawberries in crates

There are several common ways to sell products.:

• sale of berries to shops, supermarkets and other retail outlets;
• you can also strawberries sell to various processing plants, restaurants, etc .;
• the product can be sold through own outlets.

Selling fresh and tasty strawberries is easy enough because they are in high demand both in summer and winter.

Profitability of the strawberry business

Before starting your own business, you need to calculate the start-up capital, recurring expenses and income received.

In the event that you do not have your own land plot, you will have to spend 1,250,000 rubles to open a business, while the costs are divided into the following components:

• purchase of a land plot - 500,000 rubles;
• construction and equipment of polycarbonate greenhouses - 550,000 rubles;
• the purchase of seedlings is made on the basis that 1200 plants are placed in one greenhouse - 3 greenhouses * 1200 seedlings * 50 rubles, the final sum will be 180,000 rubles;
• registration of a business and obtaining all necessary documents - 20,000 rubles.

If you have your own land plot with an area of ​​1 hectare, the start-up capital will be significantly reduced to 750,000 rubles.

The profitability of the strawberry growing business is quite high

In addition to the expenses described above, you should consider the annual expenses:

• payment for electricity and heating - 20,000 rubles;
• payment for other utilities - 5,000 rubles;
• fertilizers, processing, etc. - 10,000 rubles;
• other expenses - 10,000 rubles.

It is also worth considering the fact that every 2-3 years the strawberry plantings will have to be updated and if you do not prepare the seedlings yourself, you will have to re-purchase the seedlings.

With the right selection of varieties, you can get up to 5-6 harvests of berries. Their cost will depend on the season:

1. Spring and summer harvest will cost 108,000 rubles (360 kilograms * 3 greenhouses * 100 rubles);
2. Autumn-winter harvest will bring much more profit, namely 270,000. This is due to the fact that this season a kilogram of strawberries will cost 250 rubles.

The strawberry business can bring huge profits and pay off in 1-2 years. The main condition for the success of the business will be the production of quality products, namely tasty and attractive berries.

Sample business plan

Strawberries are popular all year round, both in summer and winter, so this business will never have problems with customers.

A business plan for the production of strawberries is built by each entrepreneur independently. It should include all the individual characteristics of the future business. Adhering to the general scheme, the drawn up plan should contain the following points:

1. Full information about cultivated strawberries (variety, germination, fruiting timing, yield, care features, etc.);
2. Area and detail description of greenhouses;
3. The ratio of supply and demand in the market, the presence of competitors and other similar factors;
4. Industrial plan;
5. Full costings;
6. Revenue forecasts, plans for future profits;
7. Financial risks and the possibility of their minimization.

The production plan includes all data related to the cultivation of strawberries (preparation of the greenhouse and seedlings, planting, care, berry picking, etc.) and plans for the sale of the resulting crop.

A business built on year-round strawberry cultivation, pays off very quickly and can bring good income... Before starting your own business, you need to calculate everything to the smallest detail in order to avoid failure at the initial stages.

Every gardener who at least once faced unpleasant weather surprises thought about building a greenhouse.Of course, the building will protect the berries from the cold, but it does not guarantee high yields. Growing strawberries in a greenhouse will be crowned with success only if all agro-technological rules are followed.

The nuances of growing strawberries in a greenhouse

How to grow strawberries in a greenhouse so that the time and effort spent are justified by a generous harvest? In the greenhouse, you need to create the right microclimate and take care of sufficient lighting.

The optimum temperature for growing berries is + 20- + 25C. To fulfill this condition, it is recommended to use glass, film or polycarbonate as materials for the construction of a greenhouse. After the completion of construction work, a heating system is installed. You can grow strawberries in a heated greenhouse all year round.

How to grow strawberries in a greenhouse in no time? When the length of daylight hours exceeds 14 hours, the formation and pouring of berries is accelerated. To double the strawberry harvest during the cold season, lamps are installed that produce light similar to the sun.

• The rays produced by sodium lamps are most similar to natural light.
• Lighting devices are fixed at a height of 1 m from the landings.
• One sodium lamp with a power of more than 400 W is capable of supplementary illumination of 3 square meters of plantings. The power of the fluorescent lamp is enough to illuminate 1 sq. M.

Additional lighting is carried out in this way:

• The first time the light is turned on from 8 to 11 in the morning, the second from 5 to 8 in the evening.
• Varieties of long daylight hours are supplemented by light for 2 hours longer.
• If it's cloudy outside, the light in the greenhouse should be on for 12-14 hours.

The final stage of greenhouse preparation is the arrangement of drip irrigation. Such an irrigation system is considered the most effective, since the water goes directly under the root, without touching the leaves and fruits.

Drip irrigation is set as follows:

• A reservoir is installed on a stand 0.5 m high, in the lower part of which a hole is made for connecting a hose. The volume of the container depends on the size of the greenhouse. For small areas, 100-200L barrels are suitable.
• Opposite the bushes, there should be small holes in the hose through which water will be supplied to the roots.
• The irrigation system is regulated until the water consumption for moistening 1 square meter of plantings is equal to 3 liters.

To determine the daily volume of water for irrigating the greenhouse, the length of the beds is tripled. Based on the figure received, the container is replenished as needed.

The drip irrigation system supplies not only water to the roots, but also highly soluble fertilizers and fungicides.

How to choose a variety

After finishing the preparation of the landing site, you need to take care of the planting material. Before choosing one of the varieties, you need to carefully study its characteristics. When choosing a strawberry variety, it is recommended to pay attention to the following points:

1. Unpretentiousness to the length of daylight hours.
2. The ability to constantly bear fruit.
3. The size and color of the berries.
4. The structure and organoleptic characteristics of berries.

If you plan to pick early strawberries, you need to choose early varieties. Bushes of this type bear fruit in the shortest possible time and are able to grow in dense plantings without losing productivity.

For year-round cultivation, remontant varieties are used, bearing fruit 2-3 times a year.

When choosing a strawberry planting material, you should pay attention to the following varieties:

• Pineapple;
• Marmolada;
• Crown;
• Sonata
• Elsanta
• Honia.

The above species are popular with gardeners in Belgium and Holland, who are famous all over the world for the production of high-quality large strawberries.

Good results are shown by early and medium-ripe strawberry varieties of domestic breeding, such as Roxana, Nadezhda, Zenit. Among the late varieties, the advantage should be given to Cinderella and Dobryna.

All of these strawberry varieties have a number of advantages:

1. Do not need additional lighting.
2. The bushes begin to bear fruit soon after planting.
3. Strawberries are highly immune to disease.
4. Due to their dense structure, the berries are suitable for transportation and have good keeping quality.
5. High yield - with proper care, 500 kg of strawberries can be harvested from 1 weave of plantings.

All varieties eventually lose their former yield, so strawberries that have been bearing fruit for 2 years are replaced with new seedlings.

Did you know! From a scientific point of view, a plant that is grown on a large scale in plots is called garden strawberry. Because of the great similarity between cultures, botanists gave it the erroneous name "strawberry" 300 years ago.

How to improve yields?

We are constantly receiving letters in which amateur gardeners are worried that due to the cold summer this year there is a poor harvest of potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, and other vegetables. Last year we published TIPS on this matter. But unfortunately, many did not listen, but some still applied. Here is a report from our reader, we want to advise plant growth biostimulants that will help increase the yield up to 50-70%.

We advise you to prepare in advance for the summer season, pay attention to this biological product. There are a lot of positive responses.

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Preparation of planting material

For growing sweet berries indoors, it is preferable to use purchased or self-bred seedlings. If everything is extremely clear with the first option, then the implementation of the second occurs according to the following scheme.

1. In order for the seedlings to take root faster, the shoots of the bushes are lightly sprinkled with earth.
2. When the new strawberry bushes take in and form a powerful rhizome, they are transplanted into a nutrient substrate in pots with a diameter of 8 cm. If it is still a long time before planting, the seedlings are transplanted into a 20 cm container.
3. On the eve of the first frost, the seedling containers are transferred to a heated greenhouse.

According to gardeners who grow strawberries in greenhouses, the bushes prepared in this way bloom well and set large berries.

The second way to breed strawberries from your own seedlings is as follows:

1. Well-rooted seedlings are dug out of the garden bed.
2. Then the leaves are cut from the seedlings and then placed in the upper section of the refrigerator, where it remains to lie until spring.

Landing technology

Before planting strawberries, you need to properly prepare the soil. To saturate the soil with useful substances, top dressing is introduced. A year before planting the seedlings, humus or peat is covered up in the soil. Mineral fertilizers are applied immediately before planting.

To establish uninterrupted fruiting of strawberries, you need to prepare a special nutritious substrate. The type and composition of such a mixture is very different from ordinary soil.

1. To prepare 1 ton of the mixture, you need to prepare 650 kg of oat or wheat straw, 300 kg of droppings, 20 kg of gypsum, 6 kg of crushed chalk and 3 kg of urea.
2. Straw, droppings and urea are placed in layers in a compost pit or a large container: the height of the first layer is 20-25 cm, the second is 10 cm. Lastly, urea is added based on the proportion of 400 ml of liquid per 100 kg of straw.
3. In this sequence, the pit is filled to the top. In order for the substances to be evenly split, the compost is regularly mixed: the first time in 10-12 days, the second - 17 days, the third - 25 days after laying.
4. A small amount of chalk and plaster is added during the breaking. The readiness of the nutrient mixture is evidenced by the absence of ammonia odor, a homogeneous consistency and a dark brown color.

The compost is sterilized for 12 hours at a temperature of 55-60 C. It is highly undesirable to use an unsterilized substrate, since it may contain pests and pathogens.

In such a mixture, ordinary strawberries are not planted. We plant only seedlings of remontant varieties in the substrate.

Planting strawberries according to the classic scheme is done as follows:

1. The land is divided into rectangles 1 m wide, leaving paths between them for movement.
2. The resulting beds are in turn covered with a layer of fine gravel or expanded clay crumbs 5-6 cm thick, sand - 8-10 cm, high-quality soil - 7-8 cm.
3. 10 g of carbamide, ammophos sulfate or other mineral fertilizer in the dose recommended by the manufacturer are scattered on 1 square meter of beds.
4. The seedlings are planted in holes or rows at a distance of 25-30 cm. The maximum planting depth is 10 cm. The seedlings are buried in the holes, and the moist soil near the rhizome is slightly crushed.

To prevent weed growth and reduce moisture evaporation, strawberries are covered with agrofibre. How to mulch strawberry seedlings correctly?

• The length and width of the beds are measured, and then the material is cut according to the measurements taken.
• The cut is spread on the garden bed and small holes are made in it along one line or in a checkerboard pattern with a step of 25-30 cm.
• Then strawberry seedlings are planted in the holes.

Important! Water the mulched beds only as needed. Excessive moisture is the main cause of root rot.

Using this nutrient mixture, strawberries are grown year round without top dressing.

There is also an overhead planting method, which is gradually gaining popularity. Its essence lies in the fact that strawberry seedlings are planted not in the beds, but in prepared containers.

• To use this planting method, you need to build a strong metal frame, the width of which is 1 m, and the length is commensurate with the length of the greenhouse.
• Further, the upper part of the stand is separated by metal slats, which are welded at a distance of 20 cm from each other.
• Containers or pots will be installed in the prepared cells.

The strawberry container can be made of polycarbonate, plywood, plastic. The length of the self-made structure corresponds to the length of the sections, with the exception of a few millimeters for the container to fit into the cells. The recommended width of the container is 15 cm at the bottom and 25 cm at the top.
It is less troublesome to buy ready-made containers, but they will cost much more than homemade ones.

Did you know! Despite their sweet taste, strawberries do not contain sugar. Thanks to this amazing feature, many Hollywood stars go on the strawberry diet.

Strawberry care

The volume of the harvested crop depends more on whether the strawberries were properly cared for than on all the preparatory work taken at once. What do strawberries need for normal development?

Temperature

Growing strawberries in a greenhouse is relatively easy. To get a good harvest of delicious berries, it is very important to observe the correct temperature regime.

• The bushes will quickly take over if the temperature in the greenhouse is + 10C.
• After a few days, the temperature is gradually increased to + 18- + 20C.
• As soon as the plant blooms, the temperature is set at + 23- + 25.

Please note that strawberries cannot be grown in an environment that is too hot. Under the influence of high temperature, plants actively form a green mass. Due to the loss of strength, small berries are tied, which ripen longer than indicated in the description of the variety.

Humidity

Growing large strawberries in a greenhouse will only be successful if the grower maintains the correct humidity. Indoor strawberries will grow well if the following guidelines are followed:

• In order to prevent the plants from getting sick with fungal diseases, strawberries are planted at a humidity of 80-85%.
• 14 days after planting, the air humidity is set at 75%
• When setting and pouring berries, the optimum humidity is 70%.

Please note that staying strawberries in high humidity conditions is fraught with the appearance of diseases and berry rotting. In addition to establishing air humidity, the seedlings are regularly watered as the substrate dries.

Top dressing

During the growing season, strawberries are fed 2 times a month with a nutrient solution.To prepare top dressing, 10 g of potassium salt and 80 g of a mixture of ammonium nitrate and superphosphate are stirred in a bucket of water.

Lighting

Depending on the characteristics of the selected variety, strawberries need to be provided with 12-16 hours of light. The speed at which strawberries enter the flowering phase depends on the length of daylight hours.

• Without additional lighting, daylight hours in the middle of winter lasts about 8 hours. With this amount of light, the first flowers will appear only after 14 days, and the fruits will ripen only on the 48th day.
• Regularly supplemented strawberries bloom after 10 days, and berries appear as early as 35 days.

When cultivating strawberries indoors, it is important to carefully monitor that the growing conditions are greenhouse. Any deviation from the above mentioned rules entails a decrease in yield.

Pollination

Even if all of the above conditions have been met, the fruit will not set if the flowers have not been pollinated. How to pollinate plants in a greenhouse yourself?

• In small greenhouses, strawberries are pollinated with a soft brush, which is alternately applied to all flowers 2-3 times a day.
• In the absence of free time to carry out such a manipulation, plantings can be pollinated with an ordinary fan. Under the influence of the air flow, pollen scatters to neighboring plants and pollinates them.
• For pollination of strawberries in industrial greenhouses, a bumblebee hive is installed inside the premises. One insect family is capable of pollinating about 1500 square meters of strawberry plantations.

To save yourself the trouble and not worry about whether strawberries will tie or not, you can initially plant seedlings of self-pollinated varieties. Thanks to the work of breeders, the variety of these species is constantly growing.

Growing in greenhouses is a guarantee that the strawberries will be tasty and large, if the above requirements are met.

Did you know! Strawberries contain a lot of B vitamins, which are great for relieving stress and improving mood. By consuming 150 g of berries daily, you can get rid of depression in the shortest possible time.

Prevention of diseases and pests

Strawberries in a greenhouse are highly susceptible to rot, which is almost impossible to cure. In order to prevent disease, it is recommended to keep the average air humidity in the greenhouse - 70-75%. You can also prevent rotting with a fungicide that is added to the water tank for irrigation.

The second unpleasant situation is that berries can attack slugs. When pests appear, the bushes are treated with special preparations.

Saving strawberries from diseases with folk remedies

Is it profitable to grow strawberries

The strawberry business is very profitable: there is always a high price for sweet berries, especially the earliest ones. Moreover, strawberries grown in a greenhouse are sold out on local farms faster than imported ones. If the strawberry bushes are well looked after, the money invested in the first year of cultivation can be returned and receive an impressive premium.

Growing strawberries in a greenhouse will be successful if you follow all the instructions of the specialists and treat the chosen business with enthusiasm. Only in this way the work done will pay off with large sweet berries.

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Growing strawberries in a greenhouse all year round is becoming popular not only in specialized farms, but also in mini-farms on personal plots. Subject to the technology, in a small area, it gives a good harvest that can provide the family with fresh berries and bring a good profit. In our country, two methods of cultivation are used - Russian and Dutch, differing in labor intensity, monetary costs and yield. Dutch technology is more profitable for the berry business.

Strawberries and strawberries all year round - myth or reality

In winter, it is possible to grow garden strawberries (strawberries) in a greenhouse and get stable yields only by properly equipping the greenhouse and planting greenhouse varieties. There are no varieties specially bred for closed ground, but there are those that produce more tasty berries in greenhouses than others.

Greenhouse-grown strawberries

What should be the right greenhouse

In a greenhouse, strawberries grow and bear fruit well, subject to a stable temperature, good lighting, regular watering and ventilation. The easiest way to maintain the necessary conditions in a greenhouse is under cellular polycarbonate on a steel profile or wooden frame. Polycarbonate has several advantages over traditional coatings - film and glass:

• strong enough and can withstand strong wind, hail, snow;
• durable - service life exceeds 10 years;
• light - no need to build a massive foundation and frame;
• resistant to temperature extremes - does not crack from frost, does not dry out in the sun;
• Easily bends to fit and is virtually unbreakable.

Wall-mounted greenhouse with polycarbonate cover

As for the shape of the greenhouse, for a home mini-berry farm it is best to build a lean-to wall structure with automatic irrigation, lighting and ventilation. In this case, the heating system is easy to combine with the heating of the house, and watering will not be difficult with the help of a home water supply system. A more economical option can be arranged - with manual watering and ventilation, but it will be less profitable to get a harvest for sale.

Scheme of a free-standing greenhouse

What varieties are suitable for indoor

Is it possible to grow strawberries of the varieties available in the garden in a greenhouse? Yes, but you are unlikely to get a good harvest that pays for the costs of the greenhouse and maintenance. Experts recommend choosing varieties that meet the following criteria:

1. Neutral day varieties. In the open field, such plants have fruit buds every 5-6 weeks, starting in June and until frost, regardless of the duration of lighting and temperature. At the same time, they have ripe and ripening fruits, flowers, ovary. You can also choose remontant varieties, but they do not give a continuous harvest, but bear fruit in "waves" - two or three times a season.
2. Self-pollinated modern varieties. Old "classic" will have to pollinate with a brush, fans or bees.
3. If the berries are planned to be grown for sale, they must be dense, transportable and even in size.

In Belgium and Holland - the largest producers of greenhouse strawberries, mainly Elsanta and Sonata varieties are grown. Among the others:

• Tamar,
• Chandler,
• Camarosa,
• Whitney,
• Ofra,
• Dorrit,
• Malach,
• Selva.

Albion variety

The most successful modern remontant varieties that are suitable for greenhouse mini-farms in the middle lane are:

• Plant Science (USA) - Velor.
• University of California - Albion, Portola, Monterey, San Andreas.
• Mazzoni (Italy) - Elsinore (Chivri 30), Linosa, Capri.
• Edward Vinson (Great Britain) - Everest, Eves Delight, Evie 2.
• East Mall (UK) - Pearl Flamenco Mall.

Older varieties are also grown (Ostara, Selva), but they do not always have the qualities necessary for the market and manufacturers (immunity to diseases, taste, transportability). The most common among owners of small plots and mini-farms in the middle lane is the Albion variety.

Winter strawberry cultivation technology

In winter, strawberries can be grown using two technologies - Russian, when bushes are planted every five years, and Dutch, according to which seedlings can be planted every two months. Both technologies include:

• disinfection and preparation of the substrate for beds or containers;
• planting seedlings;
• regulation of temperature, lighting, humidity;
• watering and feeding plants;
• removal of leaves, whiskers;
• fight against diseases and pests.

Video: Vertical planting and growing technology

Soil preparation and fertilization

The ideal potting mix, which is easy to make with your own hands, consists of the following components:

• sod land,
• humus,
• sand,
• peat,
• sawdust,
• ash,
• urea,
• superphosphate.

Strawberries need a special substrate

To prepare the soil mixture, take equal parts of peat, earth and humus. Superphosphate (60-70 g), rotted manure (bucket), urea (15-20 g) and ash (2 glasses) are added. Before mixing the components, they must be carefully sorted out, removing roots, branches, stones. This recipe is good to use to start growing, and having gained experience in practice, you can improve it yourself.

Before mixing the components of the substrate, it is necessary to properly prepare them and take into account the nuances of use:

1. Low-lying peat is the cleanest substrate. It is lightweight, has good absorption and water retention properties. To prepare it for planting, you need to add to each bucket of peat:
   • dolomite flour (2-3 tbsp. l.) or ash (1 tbsp.);
   • a solution of 3 liters of water, a glass of mullein and half a tsp. copper sulfate.
2. The best soil for planting mixture is medium loamy sod. It needs to be sorted out, slightly moistened and transferred to a semi-shaded place. Important: in order not to infect the seedlings with diseases, you cannot take soil from the beds where tomatoes, potatoes, raspberries and, of course, strawberries have grown in the last 3 years.
3. For looseness, sod land is mixed with small sawdust in the proportion: 2 parts of sawdust with a solution of carbamide to 7 parts of earth. For 10 kg you will need a solution of 2 tbsp. l. urea and 2-3 liters of water. Sawdust is soaked for 2 hours, add 1 tbsp. wood ash, everything is mixed. The finished mixture is placed in a bag and transferred to a warm place.
4. 1/10 of the volume of the soil mixture should be coarse river sand.

Horizontal tiered beds

Methods for growing strawberries in a greenhouse

The most popular in our country is the method of five-year cultivation of remontant bushes in the beds. In the sixth year, the plants are harvested and seedlings are planted. This technology does not require large material investments in the purchase of seedlings and the time spent on care, but it allows you to grow only three to four crops per year, in addition, over time, the bushes are depleted and give less and less berries.

The most productive technology for growing strawberries in a greenhouse all year round was developed by the Dutch. It is based on planting pre-harvested bushes at a certain frequency and removing them after fruiting.

Packaged frigo seedlings

For this, special “frigo” seedlings are harvested. It can be stored for up to nine months in the cold at 0-2 ° C (-1.5 ° C) and 90% humidity. Thus, answering the question of novice farmers: how to grow strawberries in a greenhouse that will bear fruit all year round, we can recommend planting frigo seedlings one by one.

Having prepared seedlings, planting them and growing strawberries in a mini-greenhouse on your site all year round can be done in the following ways:

• on the ground;
• in high beds;
• in suspended containers;
• in hydroponics;
• in plastic bags (Dutch method).

Hydroponics - farming without land

Preparation of planting material

Seedlings for indoor planting are harvested from the mustache formed on the bushes in the open air last season. The mustache is taken from the strongest bushes with high-quality berries. Uterine rosettes begin to be marked on the garden bed with a ribbon or pegs from June. No more than five mustaches are left on each, all the rest are removed. In July-August, the mustache is rooted in the open field or in containers.

Mustache rooted in cups

In October-November, sockets are dug out. To obtain the first harvest, some of them are transplanted into a greenhouse. The rest can be stored in two ways:

1. Shoots and leaves are removed, except for the smallest ones around the growing point. The root system is cleaned of soil, but it cannot be washed or shortened. Seedlings are sorted and packed in 50-100 pieces. The bundles are placed in bags and placed in the cold for storage. Film thickness of bags for storing "frigo" - 0.04-0.05 mm.
2. Seedlings are transplanted into cups or one large container with distances of 15x15 cm. It must be watered regularly, avoiding excessive moisture or drying out of the soil in the containers. Before the onset of cold weather, they are kept outside, then fertilizing is carried out, the leaves are removed and put into the room.

Installations for vertical beds

Planting and caring for garden strawberries

How to grow strawberries in a greenhouse with a yield guarantee? It is possible to create favorable conditions for a large harvest of berries by adhering to the technology of planting, lighting, watering and feeding strawberries. In addition, you need to take into account the peculiarities of the greenhouse, the local climate, the requirements of the selected variety. The general rules for planting and creating good conditions indoors are as follows:

1. They are planted most often at distances of 20x20 cm. On vertical beds - in a checkerboard pattern. It should be borne in mind that in separate containers, adult plants need 3-5 liters of substrate, depending on the requirements of the variety.
2. When planting in the ground, it is recommended to cover the soil with spunbond or mulch. The shelter will provide protection from pests, weeds, slugs, diseases and maintain an optimal substrate temperature.
3. The temperature during planting of seedlings is not higher than 12 ° C. It is raised as it grows up to 20 ° С, during flowering - up to 20-24 ° С.
4. Humidity during planting should be up to 85%, during flowering - no more than 70%. To regulate humidity, you need to provide small windows in the greenhouse, and for the winter period - at least the simplest ventilation system.
5. The best way to irrigate is with a drip system, since the water should fall directly under the root, and not on the fruits and leaves.
6. Lighting - fluorescent lamps, which are switched on according to the principle of "additional lighting" depending on the season. The height of the lamps is one meter from the beds. The activation mode in most cases is as follows:
   • from 8:00 to 11:00;
   • from 17:00 to 20:00.

With an eight-hour daylight hours, the bushes bloom in two weeks, bear fruit in 48 days, and with a sixteen-hour day, these processes occur faster - after 10 and 35 days, respectively.

7. Every two weeks, fertilizing with potash fertilizers and superphosphate is carried out. It is also important to provide a sufficient amount of carbon dioxide - it is needed to increase yields and quick ripening of fruits.

Planting schemes for garden strawberries

The main diseases of greenhouse strawberries

In winter, strawberries in a greenhouse are often susceptible to disease. Therefore, in order to identify pests and diseases in time and not lose the harvest, it is necessary to periodically inspect the plantings. Prevention measures for most diseases include:

• planting healthy seedlings;
• compliance with the planting scheme of the variety;
• weed removal;
• timely thinning of bushes and removal of whiskers;
• application of potash and phosphorus fertilizers;
• elimination of excessive doses of organic and nitrogen fertilizers;
• optimal watering and humidity;
• burning of dead leaves, diseased plants;
• preventive treatment with chemicals (only before the ovary appears).

Typical diseases

Despite prevention, due to high humidity, growing strawberries in a greenhouse is often accompanied by the fight against diseases caused by fungi. The most common ones are:

• Powdery mildew - leaves and fruits are covered with a white bloom. To combat the disease, after harvesting the fruits and during the flowering period, the plants are treated with a suspension of colloidal sulfur.
• Gray mold - A grayish mold grows on the berries and they rot. The fungicide "euparen" is used for the fight.
• Brown spot - affects leaves. Their edges look scorched, then "burns" spread over the sheet and dark "pads" are formed on its upper side. Plants are treated with copper oxychloride or 1% Bordeaux mixture. You need to process the upper and lower sides of the leaves.

White spot

Growing strawberries as a business

To grow early strawberries for sale from the most productive remontant varieties, they choose those that do not need pollination and use Dutch technology. With the creation of suitable conditions and the observance of planting dates, you can get a harvest during the period of the maximum increase in prices for berries.

Growing methods

The profitability of the berry business

Even if we compare the profit from 1 hectare of grain and berry crops in the open air, the latter give ten times more. Growing berries in a greenhouse is much more profitable for two reasons: the area is much smaller, and there is practically no dependence on the weather. And the profitability of growing strawberries in a greenhouse in winter exceeds 100%. The berry business almost always pays off in one season. But at the same time, you will have to spend 30-50% more on arrangement and maintenance than when organizing beds in the open field.

The berry grown in the greenhouse retains its presentation longer

From 1 sq. m greenhouse beds can collect up to 60 kg of products. Such a crop requires large material costs, which novice businessmen can not always provide, but even half of it, harvested in winter, will give a good profit. In addition, greenhouse-grown berries tolerate transportation better and have a longer shelf life, making them easier to sell.

How to register

A high income is generated by the year-round cultivation of strawberries when supplying products to restaurants and supermarkets. To establish sales of products to such points, you need to register your business. The berry business is included in the category of entities "producers of agricultural products" and is an individual form of entrepreneurship. It is subject to a flat tax (up to 6%).

It is most profitable to sell strawberries in winter

To run such a business, just registration is not enough. Several certificates are required:

• About the belonging of the cultivated strawberries to a specific variety.
• On the fertilizers used with a list of their composition.
• License to sell products.
• Sanitary certificate.
• Declaration of conformity to GOST, which contains information on the conformity of berries to standards.

Russian and Dutch technology for planting bushes

Video: Dutch technology for business

How to grow strawberries in a greenhouse all year round for a profitable business? There are two common technologies:

1. Russian technology for planting bushes is the cultivation of remontant varieties for 5 years without renewing plantings. The overall yield is slightly lower, but the time required for maintenance is significantly reduced. According to this technique, a high-yielding remontant strawberry variety is planted on ordinary or high beds, and the crop is harvested three to four times over the course of one year.
2. Growing strawberries using Dutch technology involves planting frigo seedlings in plastic bags every six weeks. After collecting the berries, the bushes are removed and a new batch of young plants is planted.The advantages of this method are the ability to place more bushes in the same area and get a high yield every two months.

Growing berries according to Russian technology

Dutch technology makes it possible to get the maximum amount of products from the entire usable area of ​​one greenhouse. But it requires a careful approach to the preparation of seedlings, planting, care and a little more cash investment than the classic Russian technology. Nevertheless, the Dutch method is best suited for organizing not only a profitable, but a highly profitable strawberry business.

Dutch Strawberry Farm

Video: Business plan for growing garden strawberries

With the right approach to the organization of greenhouse cultivation of strawberries, the crop is harvested almost continuously throughout the year. This business is profitable and promising.

Modern greenhouse systems allow strawberries to be grown year-round. This berry is in demand in the market, which is why many gardeners and farmers choose it as their main product for income. The consumer is ready to buy strawberries in the form of a fresh product or ready-to-produce desserts. The second option is acceptable for catering establishments.

Strawberries in the greenhouse

Where can strawberries be grown?

Strawberries are an unpretentious plant, but still require proper care. This berry can be grown in any room in which the necessary conditions can be created - to maintain the air temperature from + 10 ° C to + 25 ° C (different temperatures are needed at different periods of plant growth) and air humidity within 70-80%.

Diagram of the structure of the strawberry bush

Traditionally, strawberries are grown in greenhouses. Thanks to the greenhouse effect, it is easy to provide the most favorable conditions for plant growth and fruit ripening in these rooms. The Dutch technology for growing strawberries in greenhouses has gained great popularity, which involves planting seedlings in plastic bags (and not only).

Many people try to get the harvest of this berry at home, but the optimal solution for a business is still a greenhouse. Successful strawberry cultivation technologies are enough to choose the most suitable one for yourself. The least troublesome method is to use hydroponics. But it is also the most costly, since it requires a much more solid start-up capital than when using plastic bags with soil.

Crop production provides an opportunity for year-round profits. The fact is that the natural sleep period of plants (in winter) can be interrupted by the creation of favorable conditions for their growth and fruiting. It is on this feature of the plant world that all the technologies for year-round cultivation of strawberries in greenhouses are built.

Growing strawberries in a greenhouse all year round

Important! A greenhouse of any size and shape is suitable for harvesting. The type of covering material does not really matter, since all the necessary conditions can be provided with the help of additional lighting and heating.

Growing strawberries as a business

If cultivation of strawberries is chosen as the main direction of a highly profitable business, first of all, it is necessary to resolve the following issues:

• about the method of sales;
• about the possible sales volume for this region;
• on the transportation of the crop;
• storage and storage of crops;
• on the purchase of equipment and materials for arranging a greenhouse.

The minimum area required to start a business is just a few square meters. But it should be understood that in this case, one should not expect high profits. Such a volume of products obtained is more suitable for home use. Any non-residential but heated room, garage or warehouse is suitable for growing berries.

At the preparatory stage, you need to decide on the varieties of the plant.

Some greenhouse strawberries

The following varieties are optimal for the greenhouse business:

• "Sonata";
• "Pineapple";
• "Florin";
• "Will";
• "Kama";
• Elsanta;
• "Producer";
• "Marmolada";
• Truffau.

All these varieties are capable of bearing fruit several times a year.

Strawberry "Sonata"

Florin strawberry

Strawberry "Elsanta"

For greenhouse cultivation, there are three possible planting methods:

• indoors;
• in ceramic or plastic containers;
• in plastic bags.

If a hydroponic option is being considered, special equipment will be needed.

How to grow strawberry seedlings

Strawberry seedlings can be obtained from seeds or from the whiskers of an adult plant. For growing from seeds, containers with a height of at least 7 cm and soil will be required. You can mix garden soil with sand in a 1/3 ratio (one part sand and 3 parts soil).

In the photo, strawberry seeds

The seeds are planted in the soil

When growing strawberry seedlings, do not expect quick shoots. They will appear 20-21 days after disembarkation. The fact is that all small-seeded plants develop for a long time. This is due to the small size of the seed, which cannot contain many nutrients. Therefore, you have to be patient.

When the strawberry rises and a second leaf forms in it, you need to fertilize with any organic fertilizer. When the seedlings grow up to 8-10 mm, they begin to dive.

Strawberry seedlings

This will require small plastic cups or any other container of suitable volume. The best choice is plastic glasses with a volume of 0.5 liters. In this case, frequent watering is not required. If you grow seedlings in smaller containers, there will be more trouble in caring for the seedlings.

Seedling picking

The picking procedure consists of several stages, we will consider the features of each of them in more detail.

The main stages of picking strawberry seedlings

Table. The process of diving seedlings - instruction.

Step 1	Water the soil with water at room temperature.
Step 2	With the handle of any cutlery (spoon or fork), carefully separate and remove the plant.
Step 3	A small depression is made in a glass with soil (1.5-2 cm is enough).
Step 4	Plant the plant in a glass / pot.
Step 5	A low bed of soil is formed around the base of the stem (instilled).
Step 6	Carefully water the planted plants with water.

Growing strawberry seedlings from a mustache

To grow seedlings from a mustache, proceed as follows.

Step 1. Find a powerful formed whisker of an adult plant.

Sockets and mustaches

Step 2. At a distance of 20-25 cm from the mother plant, a hole is dug 5-7 cm deep.

Step 3. Plunge a mustache socket into it.

Step 4. Take a paper clip and slightly unbend it.

Step 5. Press the outlet to the ground with a paper clip (pinned).

Step 6. They fill the hole with soil and slightly compact it.

Stages of the formation of strawberry planting material using antennae

Step 7. Cut off the excess part of the mustache that is not associated with the mother plant.

Step 8. Water the outlet.

The technology of horizontal cultivation of strawberries in plastic bags

The least costly technology for growing strawberries involves the use of translucent polyethylene bags (made of white polyethylene). The standard thickness of such bags is 0.2 mm. Dimensions - 16x20 cm. You can buy bags at any hardware store.

Growing strawberries in bags horizontally

You will also need the following components to prepare the substrate:

• peat (2 parts);
• perlite (1 part);
• sawdust (1.5 parts).

This technology of growing strawberries allows you to start a business with the smallest amount of capital - from 3 to 5 thousand rubles. This will be enough to plant seedlings on an area of ​​10 m2. From 1 m2, you can get from 15 to 20 kg of berries. When experience in growing strawberries appears, the volume of the crop will increase. Professionals receive up to 50 kg / m2.The business can be considered economically viable with a yield of 150 kg from 10 m2.

Bedding bags - an alternative to tall beds

Important! Most of the materials you need to start a business can be free. For example, you will need a dropper to organize watering. These used tubes are in abundance in any medical hospital.

Sequencing

Step 1. Preparation of the substrate: mix sawdust, perlite and peat in a ratio of 1.5: 1: 2.

The main properties of perlite are soil loosening and improvement of its structure.

Step 2. Fill plastic bags with the substrate by ¾ of their volume.

Step 3. The top of the bag is sealed with an iron or soldering iron.

Step 4. With any sharp object, cut 2-3 longitudinal holes 7-9 cm long in each bag.

Step 5. Packages with the substrate are laid in even rows on the flooring or the floor so that between the "beds" there is no less than 25 and no more than 30 cm.

Step 6. Each bag is supplied with 3 dropper tubes. One tube is immersed on the bottom layer of the substrate, the second on the middle, and the third on the top. Water consumption - 0.5 l / day for 1 package.

Dripper supply scheme

An approximate diagram of a drip irrigation system

Step 7. Seedlings are planted in each slot in the bag.

Step 8. Provide optimal conditions throughout the growth and fruiting period of plants.

At the initial stage of strawberry growth (in the first week after planting the seedlings), it is necessary to maintain a temperature of + 10 ° C in the greenhouse. Further, the indicator is gradually raised to + 20 ° C. During the flowering period, the optimum temperature is from +20 to + 24 ° C.

An important parameter of the microclimate is humidity. It must be kept within 80%, but during the flowering period it must be reduced by 5-10%. When the fruits begin to form, another decrease in humidity by 5-10% will be required.

Growing strawberries in bags

Strawberry growing rules

1. Throughout the growth, flowering and fruiting of plants, it is necessary to ensure high-quality ventilation of the greenhouse.
2. Every 14-15 days, starting from the day of planting seedlings, fertilizers are applied - superphosphate and potassium salt.
3. The quality of lighting is extremely important for strawberries. This plant is warm and light-requiring. If the daylight hours lasts at least 16 hours, the berries will form already 35 days after planting the seedlings. If the period of full lighting does not exceed 8 hours, the waiting period for the harvest will be longer (up to 1.5 months). Therefore, if there are not enough sunny days, it is recommended to arrange artificial lighting for the greenhouse.
4. If the selected variety is not self-pollinating, it will be necessary to artificially pollinate with a small, soft paintbrush.

A possible option is the Topsy Turvy Strawberry Planter

Strawberry Planter for growing strawberries

Video - How To Use Topsy Turvy Strawberry Planter

Growing flowers in a greenhouse as a business

Many flower growers often wonder whether to turn their hobby into a profitable business. It should be noted that growing flowers in a greenhouse as a business is an interesting and profitable idea, but it has its own characteristics.

Technology for vertical cultivation of strawberries in bags

This method of growing strawberries in a greenhouse is very similar to the previous one. The same requirements are imposed on the care of plants. The same substrate is used as a soil for planting seedlings. But vertical cultivation technology has its advantages.

Varieties of vertical strawberry cultivation

Firstly, it allows the most efficient use of the inner space of the greenhouse. Secondly, using this technique, you can get a significantly larger yield. As a container for growing, you can use dense polyethylene bags with a volume of 10 liters or more or plastic pipes with a cross section of 200 and 110 mm.

Growing strawberries in PET bags

The bags are filled with substrate and hung from the top beams of the greenhouse. It is permissible to arrange the bags both in a checkerboard pattern and in even rows. It is important to observe the distance between the suspended containers - it should be at least 40 cm. Optimally - 60 cm.

Another option for a bag for growing strawberries

Strawberry bushes in a polyethylene bag

If it is decided to use PVC pipes, proceed as follows.

Step 1. In a pipe with a cross section of 100-110 mm, using a screwdriver and a crown with a diameter of 6 cm, holes are cut so that they are located on the same line and are at a distance of 20-25 cm from each other.

Holes are cut in the pipe

Step 2. A hole is cut in a pipe with a diameter of 200 mm so that only the upper part of the circle is cut. To do this, hold the crown at an angle to the pipe during cutting. By controlling the pressure on the tool, they ensure that the slot is made exactly half of the circle.

Holes in a pipe with a larger diameter are not cut completely, but so that the cut circles can be bent

Step 3. Fold back the cut parts of the circles in a large pipe, heating them with a construction hairdryer.

Step 4. A pipe with a section of 110 mm is inserted into a pipe with a section of 200 mm.

Step 5. Secure the narrower pipe with wire and wooden blocks so that it is centered.

You need to fasten with bars and steel wire as shown in the image

Step 6. Fill the space between the pipes with soil.

The space between the pipes must be covered with soil.

Step 7. The lower end of the narrow pipe is closed with a plug of the appropriate size, in which several holes are pre-drilled to allow excess water to escape.

This is what the lower part of the structure will look like.

This is a pre-drilled plug needed to cover the lower end of the smaller pipe.

Step 8. The inner space of a narrow pipe is filled with organic matter and plant material - peelings of potatoes and other products, sawdust, branches (you can put earthworms).

Step 9. Strawberry seedlings are planted in the holes of the larger pipe.

Growing strawberries in a PVC pipe in a vertical way

This method is convenient because it does not require regular maintenance. Watering is carried out by pouring water into a narrow pipe 1-2 times a week. The use of pipes is more convenient in that it becomes possible to use the entire available area as efficiently as possible. In addition, pipes are more durable than plastic bags and do not require frequent replacement.

Another option for vertical cultivation of strawberries in a tube

Another original option is a strawberry pyramid

Video - Vertical breast in a greenhouse. Strawberries in a tube

Video - Growing strawberries in a greenhouse