Comparison of Winter Mulches on Several Strawberry Cultivars

Abstract

Several strawberry cultivars (Fragaria X ananassa Duch.) bloomed and fruited earlier than control plants when wintermulched with clear polyethylene. Bloom date was influenced by date of mulch removal. Yield and fruit size were reduced when clear polyethylene was applied as winter mulch and allowed to remain intant until late in the bloom season. Fruit size and yield of plants mulched with polyester row covers were similar to or better than those mulched with straw. Those mulched with polyester until late May bloomed earlier than those mulched until April, but fruit yield and size was slightly reduced. Plants mulched with spring oats produced similar or slightly larger yields and fruit size than straw-mulched plants. Removal time did not influence bloom date, fruit yield or size in the straw-mulched or spring oats-mulched plants.