Tuesday, January 7

SU Ag Center quick tip: Home Strawberry Production

Louisiana strawberry fruits
Baton Rouge, La - Strawberries are grown as an annual in Louisiana, and have been an important horticultural crop for centuries. Tangipahoa and Livingston Parishes have been the traditional commercial production areas. Whenever the temperature goes below 20 degrees, covering your plants is recommended. Currently, Louisiana Commercial and home strawberry farmers should be protecting their green fruits and buds with row covers by taking the following steps: place row covers made of light polypropene fabric directly on top of the plants to protect the fruits and blooms from frost.  The heavier the cover, the more protection these covers provide. The covers trap heat during the day, pushing plant development and earlier harvest.  The covers should be removed during the day when temperature rises above 40 degrees to allow pollination, control pest, and prevent leaf scorch.  

For more information, contact Ahmad R. Robertson, Assistant Area Agriculture & Natural Resource Agent, Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes at Ahmad_robertson@suagcenter.com; ( 985)748-5462 or (225) 222- 4136. 

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Contact:
Bridget Udoh
(225) 771-5714


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