Arnold Family Farm
Planting Process
Preparing The Fields
The tips for the strawberries are received in August and are planted in trays to grow under a misting system before they can be planted in the raised plastic beds.
Before the plants can be planted, the field must be pre-bedded and prepared to lay plastic down. The plastic is used for weed control, conserving soil moisture, and keep fruit clean.
The mounds on the pre-bedded field are then covered with plastic with the bedding machine. Waterlines are present underneath the plastic to allow for distributed, controlled moisture.
These plants are planted on October 1st so they are able to have time to grow roots that will provide stability and endurance throughout the winter frosts.
The plants are then covered with a light weight cloth in the winter anytime temperatures drop below 15 degrees to provide protection. They are also covered in the Spring for frost protection when they are in the process of blooming.
The plants are beginning to bloom and the berries are green. It takes about 28 days before the strawberries become ripe and are ready to be harvested which typically starts mid-April.