Double cropping of strawberries in an annual system using conditioned plug plants and high tunnels

Studies were conducted at two locations in North Carolina, to determine the potential of producing strawberries in the fall and following spring in using conditioned plants and protective culture. These two locations represent mild and moderate winter climates in the southeastern region of the country. The experiments were set up in polyethylene covered high tunnels. Plants were set three consecutive weeks starting in early September at each location. Conditioned containerized 'Sweet Charlie' plants were obtained from a commercial nursery in the North Carolina mountains. Unconditioned (control) plants grown in Raleigh and were planted on the same dates. At the coastal plain location, conditioned and unconditioned plants produced 127-175 g/plant and 0-44g/plant respectively. At the piedmont location, conditioned plants established on the earliest date averaged 65 g/plant while those established on the last date only averaged 15 g/plant. At both locations, the first planting date produced the highest yields in the fall. Spring yields from the coastal plain region were lower than the piedmont region. Spring yields ranged from 150-350 g/plant at the coastal plain site and 200-373 g/plant at the piedmont location.