Just in time for the start of May, Landgard member farms in the West began harvesting the first tunnel-grown open field strawberries in week 18. "Through this cultivation method, we are only a few days behind our start dates from last year. However, the harvest of outdoor strawberries with film cover is expected to start about ten days to three weeks later than in 2020, depending on the region," says Arthur Heinze, fruit sales manager at Landgard West Obst & Gemüse.
He adds: "There have been isolated cases of frost damage, but if there are no more sub-zero temperatures in the next few weeks, we expect slightly lower volumes and normal qualities overall compared to last year."
Landgard grower Marc Wachendorf / Image: Landgard
Challenges of open field cultivation
The situation is similar in the fields of Landgard grower Marc Wachendorf. He grows the early strawberry varieties Clery and Aprica as well as the late Elegance in the open on a total of around 23 hectares in Wachtberg-Fritzdorf. "This year is already unusual; we have had to cover and recover the crops much more frequently than in other years. So far, this has saved us from major frost damage. But for the plants, of course, this means stress. They're practically in the starting blocks, but not much is happening at the moment because of the cool weather," Marc Wachendorf reveals.
"But that's the way it is in outdoor cultivation: you can't really tell how the season will turn out until it's over." Overall, the Landgard grower hopes for a late, but normal strawberry season in terms of quantities and qualities. "Minor losses due to frost or unevenly shaped fruit are not unusual for us. And if prices remain at a good level for open-grown strawberries from Germany, as they have in recent years, and absorb the increased costs for labor, safety and hygiene measures, all in all we can be satisfied."
Higher expense
"In view of the Corona pandemic, our member farms naturally have to bear a significantly higher organizational and financial burden. However, producers* and seasonal workers have prepared well for the situation and are familiar with the measures due to the past season. From today's perspective, nothing should stand in the way of a good harvest," explains Julian Armbruster, who is responsible for purchasing and sales of fresh fruit at Landgard Süd Obst & Gemüse.
Landgard was able to sell the first fresh strawberries from early crops in heated greenhouses as early as week 13. Further greenhouse crops followed in the west in week 15/16. The south of Germany started in week 16 with the first small quantities from tunnel cultivation, and harvesting in the south of Germany under double cover is expected to start in week 19.
Test plantings
As outdoor climatic conditions become more challenging, the Landgard growers' cooperative as a whole continues to observe a clear trend towards protected cultivation. However, there are also exciting test plantings with new more aromatic varieties that offer good shelf life to the grocery store and even more flavor to the consumer*.
For more information: www.landgard.de