Daniel L. Ward, C. Andrew Wyenandt, Wesley L. Kline*, June F. Sudal
New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station,
Rutgers University,
121 Northville Road, Bridgeton, NJ 08302

Abstract. A study was initiated in southern New Jersey to compare four different planting dates in high tunnels versus outside for early strawberry production. ‘Chandler’ strawberries were planted on 28 August, 5 September, 11 September, and 19 September, 2006 in either 17’ x 34’ high tunnels or outside. Plants were spaced 14 inches apart in double rows 12 inches apart on black plastic mulch-covered beds spaced 42 inches center to center. White spun-bonded polypropylene row covers (1.25 oz/yd, 70% transparency) were applied 20 November and removed 27 March. Harvest began the following spring on 30 April in the high tunnels and 18 May outside. Yield was determined by weighing marketable fruit from each 10-foot plot at 2-5 day intervals. The experimental data was analyzed as a split-split- strip plot design using analysis of variance. There was no significant main effect of planting date (P=0.7191) nor any significant interaction effect of planting date with tunnel (P=0.9753), row cover (P=0.9807) or harvest date (P=0.9559) on yield. There was a significant three-way interaction effect of tunnel, row cover, and harvest date (P<0.001) on yield. The nature of the interaction indicated that yield in high tunnels was higher in covered rows early in the season, but higher in uncovered rows later in the season. Yield in outside plots in covered rows was equal to or higher than in uncovered rows, throughout the season. Total yield in high tunnels was significantly higher than outdoor plantings (33.8 vs. 13.8 oz/plant, P<0.001).

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