There are just over 40 different varieties of strawberries that can be grown here in Zimbabwe. One of the striking things about strawberry farming is that they can be grown in a wide range of temperatures. They mature quite fast – needing about 2 and a half months to reach maturity. This is even made better by the fact that they can bear fruit from that time for the next 36 months. Generally, strawberries are largely perennial. The irony is that strawberries are largely imported into the country because they are scarcely available locally. The USA is the biggest producer of strawberries – accounting for close to 35 per cent of the total global production.

Importance Of Strawberries

One of the biggest attributes of strawberries is their commercial value. They are highly demanded by high-end markets such as Europe. Of particular mention is the Netherlands which happens to be number 3 globally when it comes to the importation of fresh farm produce. Their nutritional value is also another huge aspect of why they matter so much. There is a whole range of health benefits that strawberries come with. Anti-inflammation and the combating or prevention of cancer and heart diseases are some of them. Zimbabwean exportation of berries, in general, has been steadily increasing. More can be done though – more farmers have to jump right in. In 2018 only US$4 million worth of berries (strawberries and other types of berries) exports were realized. That is low given the export value strawberries have.

Land Preparation

During land preparation the beds ought to be raised – one metre usually cuts it. Ploughing should be done several times for soil preparation and weed control. Harrowing is also needed for breaking soil lumps and levelling.

Favourable Climate

Warm conditions are needed for strawberries to grow well. They would need as many as ten hours daily of exposure to sunlight. Strawberries can thrive from as low as 10 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius.

Soil Requirements

The soil has to be sufficiently fertile thus the addition of organic material is advisable. Take note that fresh organic material is not advisable – organic material that has significantly decayed is best. Roughly 30 tonnes of organic material per hectare would do. Soils should be loamy and have good drainage plus they should be light-heavy soils stunt growth. Optimum soil pH ranges from 5.5 to 6.5. Equal proportions of NPK are recommended for preparing the soil – in essence, regular top dressings are important.

Sowing and Planting

Strawberries are usually grown from what are called splits (or runners). Some recommend that growing strawberries from runners is the best approach. The first 4 months of the year are the best time to plant. In essence, around 45000 plants per hectare constitute a healthy spacing. In Zimbabwe, you can find seeds from outlets like Pedistock in Harare. I have also heard that Farm and City at times sell strawberry seeds. Spacing for strawberries is quite significant with in-row spacing and inter-row spacing of roughly 40 centimetres and 60 centimetres being encouraged.

Water Requirements

Irrigation can be done about thrice every week; watering must be informed by the weather. When it is much warmer more water is required and the converse is true. The best approach is to water lightly but regularly. The best type of irrigation is overhead irrigation – some say drip irrigation is best.

Pest, Disease And Weed Control

When it comes to pests you must look out for aphids and ants amongst others. You also must be wary of mites. As for diseases, it is commonly the fungal ones that cause problems. Dimethoate and Dithane are some of the remedies for pests and fungal diseases respectively. Weeding can be done by use of chemical or mechanical methods.

Harvesting And Storage

When harvesting you must exercise extreme caution – strawberries are very delicate. If they get damaged in any way it diminishes their quality and shortens their shelf life. It is advised that when harvesting you must pick them whilst they are still on the plant stalk. Harvesting should be gradual, like every three days. Their colour and context information on when to harvest – green for when the intended destination is far and red for when it is much nearer. As soon as they are harvested they must be placed in plastic containers to preserve freshness. Harvesting is labour-intensive because it involves handpicking. Roughly 20 people could be needed to harvest 1 hectare of strawberries whilst working 4 days per week. I recall of a Zimbabwean farmer who some 2 years ago was realising a yield of at least 15 kilograms of strawberries daily. Harvesting can commence from as early as 16 weeks after planting.

Important Factors To Consider

One of the important processes in strawberry farming is deflowering. The reason why it is vital is that it stops the plants from bearing too early. When it comes to spacing the inter-row and inner-row spacing should at par – 30 centimetres is usually recommended. The Chandler variety is most suited when it comes to growing strawberries for the export market. Other varieties include Rolinda, Selekta, Tiobelle, and Rolisssa. The freshness of strawberries after being harvested is quite delicate – at best they remain fresh for up to 5 days. Top dressings are indispensable; if this can be done thrice that would suffice.

It is worth knowing that strawberry farming can be done with either of two things in mind. One, you can grow strawberries to produce runners or two, for actual strawberry production. One plant can yield as many as 40 runners. However, the focus of my article was the actual production of strawberries. There is one farm I know called Home Farm that specializes in strawberry farming – it is situated in Macheke. One more thing, pollination is crucial to the growth of strawberries. Thus having bees hives close-by can be a strategic consideration.