Are organic strawberries a feasible crop for you? Here are some ideas gleaned from several organic strawberry growers.

Start with a small trial planting.

Plan for only one year of fruiting after establishment. This eliminates many weed, disease, and insect problems, compared to renovating and cropping the planting for several years. Plant a late crop of spinach, lettuce, turnips, or transplanted brassicas after the berries are harvested and plowed under (mid July) if greater financial return is needed. Otherwise, plant to a cover crop.

Be sure to start with a well-prepared site. This means a high organic matter, spongy, well-drained soil that is free of perennial weeds. Fertilize for moderately high to high, balanced nutrient levels at planting.

Avoid areas known to have heavy tarnished plant bug pressure. Also, do not plant in areas where tomato or rose family crops have grown in the past three years

Set plants closer than usual in the rows, with less distance between the rows (try 1' x 3'). Mulch at planting with weed free material, preferably hay which will release a good dose of nutrients when tilled in. Let the plants run; till an 18"-20" path between rows in the fall. Some growers allow their plants to fruit lightly the first season, others cut off all blossoms.

Protect from deer! Strawberries are a deer favorite. They will eat the plants during all seasons.

Mulch with clean rye straw for winter protection, as is the normal practice for strawberries.

Rake mulch off into the paths as soon as the ground is dry enough, and be prepared to sprinkler irrigate for frost control.

You might try covering part of the planting with row cover until bloom.

Sulfur can help against botyrtis. The time to apply it is during rainy periods when the plants are blooming.

Pick loads of delicious berries. Earliglow and Jewel are very good, but try others to see which work best under your conditions. One organic producer with excellent soil health typically harvests 1000 quarts from 1/10 acre, and sells them for $3 each at farmers markets. A more common yield is about half that amount.

As above, plow under after harvest and plant with a late crop or cover crop.

Observe carefully and talk with other growers to continue fine-tuning your growing practices.