Can You Grow Strawberries in a High Tunnel?
Strawberries can be successfully grown in high tunnels, offering significant advantages over open-field production. High tunnels provide protection from extreme weather, extend the growing season, and improve fruit quality by reducing disease pressure. They create a controlled environment where temperature, humidity, and irrigation can be optimized, leading to higher yields and better berry consistency.
Where Is the Largest Producer of Strawberries?
California’s strawberry industry accounts for nearly 90% of U.S. production, benefiting from a temperate climate and advanced growing techniques, including hydroponics and tunnel systems. Quebec and Ontario lead strawberry production in Canada, with many growers adopting high tunnels to extend their growing season.
Can You Grow Fruit Trees in a High Tunnel?
Yes, fruit trees can be grown in high tunnel greenhouses, though considerations like height, spacing, and pruning strategies must be carefully managed. Dwarf and semi-dwarf varieties of fruit trees, such as citrus, peaches, or figs, are the best candidates for high tunnel production. These structures provide a frost-free environment that enhances early fruiting, protects against pests, and improves fruit quality. However, tree crops require a more permanent setup than strawberries and other small fruits.
Can You Grow Strawberries in a Polytunnel?
Yes, polytunnels—also called high tunnels—are widely used for strawberry production. Polytunnels offer a cost-effective way to protect strawberries from rain, frost, and extreme temperatures while enhancing fruit quality and yield. Growers using elevated bench systems in polytunnels can optimize production by improving air circulation, reducing disease risks, and facilitating labor efficiency during harvesting.
The Advantages of an Elevated Bench Growing System for Strawberries
Using an elevated bench system within a high tunnel provides multiple benefits:
- Better Disease Control – Keeping plants off the ground reduces soilborne diseases and pests exposure.
- Improved Harvesting Efficiency – Elevating plants to waist height makes harvesting faster and easier, reducing labor costs.
- Optimized Irrigation and Fertilization – Drip irrigation and fertigation systems can be precisely controlled, minimizing water waste and nutrient runoff.
- Higher Yields and Extended Harvest – Combining controlled climate conditions and optimized plant management leads to better fruit quality and increased production.
- Better Predictability to Meet Market Demand – A controlled environment ensures consistent production cycles, making it easier to meet delivery commitments for large-scale customers like grocery stores and distributors.
Optimized High Tunnel Dimensions for Strawberry Production
At 31.6 feet wide and 18 feet high, our high tunnels, TunnelPro Plus, are designed to provide ample space for elevated bench growing systems, ensuring optimal air circulation, temperature control, and efficient use of vertical space.
Key Benefits of Our High Tunnel Design for Strawberries:
- Increased Growing Capacity: The 31.6-foot width allows for multiple rows of elevated benches, maximizing space utilization.
- Improved Ventilation and Climate Control: With an 18-foot height, warm air rises away from the plants, reducing disease pressure and maintaining a stable growing environment.
- Ease of Access for Labor and Equipment: The high tunnel’s spacious design ensures workers can move efficiently between rows while facilitating mechanized tasks like irrigation and crop maintenance.
- Better Light Penetration: The wide structure helps evenly distribute natural light across all growing rows, boosting photosynthesis and improving fruit development.
These dimensions enhance production efficiency, making our high tunnels ideal for commercial-scale strawberry farming with an elevated bench system.
What Are the Costs of an Elevated Bench Growing System for Strawberries?
For a one-acre (43,560 sq. ft.) setup, the estimated costs are:
- High Tunnel Structure & Covering: ~$2 per sq. ft. → $87,120
- Elevated Benches & Irrigation System: ~$2 per sq. ft. → $87,120
- Total Infrastructure Cost: $174,240 per acre
Other costs include:
- Strawberry Plants: 15,000–20,000 plants per acre at $0.50 to $1 per plant → $7,500 to $20,000
- Annual Labor & Maintenance: ~$0.50 per sq. ft. → $21,780 per year
- Fertilizer, Water, & Misc. Supplies: $5,000 to $10,000 per year
ROI Analysis for One-Acre Strawberry Production
Projected Revenue
- Yield Increase: Elevated bench systems can increase strawberry yields by 30–50%, reaching 35,000–50,000 lbs per acre annually.
- Selling Price: Fresh strawberries can sell for $3–$5 per pound in retail and direct markets.
- Annual Gross Revenue: $105,000 – $250,000 per acre
Payback Period
- First-Year Investment: $174,240 + $30,000 (plants, labor, and supplies) = ~$204,240
- Annual Profit (after costs):
- Conservative estimate: $105,000 revenue – ~$40,000 expenses = $65,000 profit
- Optimistic estimate: $250,000 revenue – ~$50,000 expenses = $200,000 profit
- Break-even Point:
- Conservative scenario: 3–4 years
- Optimistic scenario: 1–2 years
Long-Term Benefits
- Once the initial infrastructure is paid off, the profit margin increases, with annual earnings reaching $100,000+ per acre in an optimized system.
- Lower Risk: High tunnels protect against weather variability, reducing losses compared to open-field cultivation.
Conclusion
High tunnel strawberry production using an elevated bench system offers a highly profitable, efficient, and predictable farming model. The controlled growing environment ensures consistent yields, premium fruit quality, and the ability to meet the strict demands of big retailers. While the initial investment may seem high, the fast ROI and long-term profitability make this system a smart choice for commercial strawberry growers.