Look at the forecast for your area of the state to determine whether there is a cold event predicted for the few days following your intended straw removal. This may encourage some growers to consider waiting a few days past when leaves have started to form, in order to reduce the risk of cold temperatures injuring the plants. While delaying straw removal directly delays harvest and may reduce yields, early springs such as this year (2020) also increase the chance that plants will start producing blossoms early and become vulnerable to late spring frost events. Weather stations I checked in southern Minnesota are currently 12 days ahead of the 30-year average in terms of growing degree days ( Integrated Plant Protection Center). I understand that waiting for the soil to dry is not always possible in our climate. Driving heavy equipment on wet soil contributes to soil compaction. Ideally, wait to enter the field with a tractor until the soil has dried out somewhat. Farms in southern Minnesota may have already reached these temperatures. In addition to checking for leaf growth, soil temperatures should also be consistently at or above 40 degree in the top 2-4 inches before straw is removed. The new leaves may be yellow, but if you see them starting to emerge from the crowns, this is one sign that it is time to start removing straw. Avoid using the field edges, because the plants on the edges tend to start growing sooner than the rest.Ĭheck the early fruiting varieties first, as they will likely push leaves earlier than later fruiting varieties. Do this by pulling away the straw on a few feet of row, at 6-12 places around your field. Go to your strawberry field every couple of days, and check for the beginnings of leaf growth under the straw. Here are some guidelines for deciding when to remove straw:Ĭheck for strawberry leaf growth under the straw It will most certainly be earlier than last year (2019), when we still had plenty of snow on the ground at this point in the season.

Therefore, straw removal will likely occur relatively early as well. This year, our spring has started relatively early. Therefore, this decision should be made depending on a few factors: However, removal timing must also be balanced with the weather, to minimize risk of late spring frost damage.Įach spring is so different in Minnesota, that it is challenging to figure out the ideal time to remove straw from strawberry fields.

Delaying mulch removal too much leads to delayed harvest and decreased yield. Straw mulch must be removed from strawberries when they first begin growing in the spring. Annie KloddĪuthor: Annie Klodd, Extension Educator - Fruit and Vegetable Production Photo: A strawberry field at Rod's Berry Farm, Cambridge, MN, in summer 2019.

Removing drawberry