Evaluation of Fresh Dug Strawberry Plants As an Alternative Method of Establishing Hoop House (High Tunnel) Strawberry Crops in Oklahoma

The use of fresh dug plants to establish hoop house strawberry crops has not been considered a viable option because plants are not available from the nursery until mid-October, a time generally considered to be too late to insure adequate plant size prior to the onset of winter. However, based on visual observation of a small planting of hoop house strawberry plants established from fresh dug plants in 2007, there appears to be potential for using fresh dug plants to establish hoop house strawberry crops in Oklahoma. Because they are less expensive, fresh dug plants have the potential for replacing plug plants as the establishment method of choice among Oklahoma hoop house strawberry growers. A 2-year study was contained to determine the feasibility of establishing hoop house strawberry crops using fresh dug plants compared to plug plants. Replicated trials included six strawberry varieties to determine total production as well as marketable production.