Soilless Cultivation For Table Top Strawberry
Download the Toolkit: Strawberry Soiless Toolkit ENG (3).pdf
Until 1997, strawberry production in the UK was relatively constant, although berries where of variable quality and picked mostly during June and July; of which some 25% was marketed through supermarkets.
In 1997 the three year average yield was 8.6t/ha, representing 52% of the soft fruit sector, increasing to 23.0t/ha and 72% of the sector in 2015. In value terms, as of 28th April 2016, annual strawberry sales totalled £564 million, accounting for over 51 percent of the total value of soft fruit sales, which reached a record high of £1.1billion.
At the present time, soft fruits represent 22% of all consumer fruit purchases in the UK, showing strong consumer demand for strawberries. Through innovations and investment, UK growers have managed to keep pace with a 153% increase in consumer demand over the last 20 years. With only 75-80% market penetration, underserved markets, as well as discount supermarkets seeing a 40 to 50% growth in sales over the last two years, there is still considerable potential for increasing production.
Although domestic producers are meeting almost 100% of UK demand between May to September, this only represents 69% of total annual demand. With Dutch and Belgian growers now picking year round, there is potential for UK growers to increase upon the 10% of soft fruits currently grown under glass to increase our capacity to meet national demand.
Soilless cultivation has been identified as a key innovation that could be exploited to promote development of the horticulture sector in Wales.The methods used for soilless cultivation are numerous and can be tailored to suit new or existing holdings. This document has been prepared to provide summary information around soilless cultivation to help promote the uptake of new growing methods in the Welsh horticulture sector. How to establish soilless cultivation is outlined, along with advice on integration into existing production and marketing routes so that growers can implement selected techniques as part of their enterprise.
Related Pages
Webinar: Soft Fruit – Post Season
Chris Creed (Senior Horticulture Consultant, ADAS) delivered an interactive workshop looking at how the 2021 Season has gone. He talked about how to focus on crop supply and management with a targeted approach, where overwintered crops fit in and any…
1/24/2022 1:19:32 PM
Webinar: IPDM Network – Edible’s; Weevils in soft fruit crops
This month’s Edible session led by Chris Creed and Pete Seymour focused on Weevils in soft fruit crops, with particular focus on Vine weevil and Strawberry blossom weevil.
6/18/2021 4:40:44 PM
Webinar: Integrating Farm Tourism into your Horticulture Business
Have you considered a farm shop, a pop up café, a seasonal events calendar? How about an ‘Insta field’? The demand for photo worthy fields is on the rise, and with careful planning, establishing a pick your own will have the public flocking to your f…
2/24/2021 1:44:27 PM
Webinar: Introduction to Agricultural Standards for Commercial Horticulture Production
This introductory webinar will be an overview of what an agricultural standard is, the main standards in the UK (Red Tractor, M&S Select Farm, LEAF, Soil Association etc) and will cover GlobalG.A.P for those that may want to export. It will give grow…
1/25/2021 3:27:33 PM
Video Guide: Inspection of new strawberry plants
New strawberry plants should be inspected on receipt from the propagator to identify any problems with crop health that should be addressed before planting or inform pest/disease management during production. Commentary by Janet Allen and Chris Creed…
4/7/2020 5:11:57 PM
Video Guide: Planting of New Strawberry Plants
We demonstrate how to plant new strawberry plants in coir bags for table top production. Commentary by Janet Allen and Chris Creed from ADAS at the Tyfu Cymru Fruit Network workshop at Copas Farm on the 20th February 2019.
4/7/2020 5:09:34 PM
Video Guide: Potting Up New Raspberry Canes
We demonstrate how to plant up long cane raspberry plants into new coir pots, and how to check the health of the root ball to promote good yields in the coming season. Commentary by Janet Allen and Chris Creed from ADAS at the Tyfu Cymru Fruit Networ…
4/7/2020 5:08:18 PM
Video Guide: Setting Up New Potted Raspberry Canes
We demonstrate how to set up new potted raspberry canes, along with a discussion of the indicators of healthy roots you should look for in new material. Commentary by Janet Allen and Chris Creed from ADAS at the Tyfu Cymru Fruit Network workshop at C…
4/7/2020 5:05:17 PM
Pick your Own (PYO): What you need to know to get 5* rated (part 2)
Part two of our Pick your Own Factsheet focusing on Marketing and Top Technical Tips...
3/19/2020 12:28:00 PM
Soilless Cultivation For Ornamentals
Growing plants without soil is a precise method to deliver water and nutrients to match crop demand; because of the enhanced availability of resource to the root-zone, crops can be grown at a higher density than would be possible in the field.
12/16/2019 1:46:44 PMSoilless Cultivation For Ornamentals
Growing plants without soil is a precise method to deliver water and nutrients to match crop demand; because of the enhanced availability of resource to the root-zone, crops can be grown at a higher density than would be possible in the field.
12/16/2019 1:46:44 PM
Soilless Cultivation For Herbs
The production of crops without soil, typically by hydroponics, using nutrient-enriched solutions with or without growing media, offers a unique opportunity for the Welsh horticulture sector. Hydroponic systems are particularly beneficial when produc…
12/16/2019 1:43:01 PMSoilless Cultivation For Herbs
The production of crops without soil, typically by hydroponics, using nutrient-enriched solutions with or without growing media, offers a unique opportunity for the Welsh horticulture sector. Hydroponic systems are particularly beneficial when produc…
12/16/2019 1:43:01 PM
Soilless Cultivation For Leafy Salads
The production of crops without soil, typically through hydroponics, using nutrient-enriched solutions with or without growing media, offers a unique opportunity for the Welsh horticulture sector. These systems are particularly beneficial when produc…
12/16/2019 1:41:30 PMSoilless Cultivation For Leafy Salads
The production of crops without soil, typically through hydroponics, using nutrient-enriched solutions with or without growing media, offers a unique opportunity for the Welsh horticulture sector. These systems are particularly beneficial when produc…
12/16/2019 1:41:30 PM
Pick your Own (PYO): What you need to know to get 5* rated…
In our series of industry insights, we provide some background to the market, as well as some top tips on ensuring that your customer experience hits that important 5-star customer rating.
12/16/2019 1:38:55 PM