First Year Impressions: Using Low Tunnels to Improve June-Bearing Strawberries
Laura McDermott, Team Leader, Small Fruit and Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
June-bearing (JB) strawberry growers know that the first berries to market in the spring fetch the highest prices and draw in customers. With more and more high tunnels being constructed on farms every year, growers are interested in the utility of tunnels for strawberries versus tomatoes and other warm-season crops. We see a wide variety of strawberry production under cover around the state, ranging from sophisticated greenhouses with hydroponic production to high tunnels and smaller caterpillar tunnels. These structures help extend the season for JB strawberries, hastening maturity in May. They also protect plants from rain and extreme weather events, reducing disease pressure. Although larger tunnel structures are a more common site in NY farms, we seldom see low tunnels—waist-high plastic structures—on farms.
First Year Impressions: Using Low Tunnels to Improve June-Bearing Strawberries (pdf; 741KB)
Upcoming Events
Soil Health Workshop for Vegetable Growers
December 5, 2024
Schaghticoke, NY
Join us for presentations and discussions focusing on soil health concepts and best management practices for vegetable growers. Topics include tarping, maintaining soil health in high tunnels, cover cropping, reduced tillage, compost microbiology, and more!
1.75 DEC pesticide recertification credits available in categories 1A, 10, and 23.
Cost: $30 per person
Housing and Farmland Value Impacts of Large-Scale Solar Facilities in New York State
December 9, 2024 : Housing and Farmland Value Impacts of Large-Scale Solar Facilities in New York State
For this lunchtime webinar, Cornell Dyson school agricultural and extension economist Wendong Zhang will share recent research findings that examines the property value impacts of large-scale solar facilities and energy infrastructure for residential homeowners as well as farmland owners.
Agritourism Webinar Series
October 8, 2024 : Creating Value-Added Items/Experiences
Creating Value-Added Items/Experiences
November 12, 2024 : Implementing Outdoor Recreation on the Farm
Implementing Outdoor Recreation on the Farm
December 10, 2024 : Agritourism Accessibility
Agritourism Accessibility