Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Anyone growing strawberries commercialy? We are going to give it a try just wanted some feed back thanks.

I dont think there are a lot of commecial AP members on here or they keep quiet.

People certainly grow strawberries in their systems though. They are not very tollerant of salt - anything above 2ppt is not good.

Yeah.. I 'd suggest visiting a commercial strawberry grower...

Hi H&R,

Can you share any more info about your plans/asperations? Size of operation, intended market.... etc?

As RupertofOZ suggested, a visit to a commercial site is invaluable. Rup knows what he is talking about. Just look back through his threads and contributions to this forum. Another valuable resource person on this forum is a lady in Florida. Her screen name is TCLynx.

The farther you are away from a commercial site ( > 20 miles ) the better your chances are getting to the nitty gritty of information. There is a lot of info on the internet about soil based systems and to some extent on hydroponic strawberries. There are a lot of tower and or gutter channel methods.

The number one insect pest you will have to defend against is the "Tarnished Plant Bug". TPB feeds on the developing flowers which in turn results in unmarketable fruit. I would suggest you google "Tarnished Plant Bug in Texas"

If you visit any commercial sites for what ever reason, that question about TPB is fair game to ask the owners/operators. As a consumer you have the right to know how they control any and all pests.

Another emerging insect pest is the "Spotted Wing Drosophila" fly. It lays their eggs in the ripe fruit and the resulting in-fruit larva will render the fruit worthless. Also SWD populations can explode very quickly before you know it.

I have visited a couple of growers that considered environmentally controlled strawberries here in Minnesota. But they figured tomatoes had a better ROI and higher profit margins. Tomatoes have a better shelf life and are easier to market to their local stores year round.

What is your outside environment like in your area of Texas?

I'm just trying to give you a heads up because you will have to be prepared to handle problems before they become problems. You need a plan BEFORE the problems are observed.

Please understand, I'm not trying to discourage you at all. Just the opposite, go for it but you do have to do your homework before getting your first plants.

Hope this helps and please keep this forum in the loop as you go forward. The support you will get from the members of this forum is unbelievable, the best around and just spot on down to earth