Best Practices for Strawberry Crop Management in Australia: From Site Preparation to Harvest

Strawberries are one of Australia’s most valuable horticultural crops, grown across Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, and New South Wales. Their high market value and strong consumer demand make them an attractive crop, but successful production requires careful management of soil conditions, irrigation, nutrition, plant health, and harvest practices.

Because strawberries have a shallow root system and are highly sensitive to waterlogging, nutrient imbalances, and disease pressure, attention to detail throughout the growing season is essential for producing high yields of premium-quality fruit.

Selecting the Right Site for Strawberry Production

Successful strawberry production starts with selecting a suitable growing site. Environmental conditions significantly influence plant establishment, fruit quality, disease pressure, and overall productivity.

Key site selection considerations include:

• Full sunlight exposure (8–10 hours daily)
• Good air circulation
• Reliable access to quality irrigation water
• Well-drained soils
• Low salinity levels
• Minimal frost risk
• No recent history of strawberry or high-risk disease-host crops

Ideal growing conditions:

Climate

• Day temperatures between 18°C and 26°C
• Night temperatures between 10°C and 15°C
• Moderate humidity levels
• Good sunlight exposure

Soil

• Sandy loam to loam soils
• Soil pH between 5.5 and 6.5
• Low salinity
• Excellent drainage

Poorly drained sites increase the risk of root diseases and can significantly reduce plant performance.

Land Preparation and Raised Bed Construction

Strawberries perform best when grown on raised beds that improve drainage, root development, and irrigation management.

Before bed formation:

• Remove weeds and previous crop residues
• Deep rip or cultivate compacted areas
• Improve soil structure where necessary
• Conduct soil testing to identify nutrient deficiencies

Soil amendments commonly applied include:

• Well-matured compost
• Agricultural lime
• Gypsum
• Calcium amendments
• Basal phosphorus fertilisers
• Basal potassium fertilisers

Benefits of adding organic matter:

• Improved soil structure
• Better water-holding capacity
• Increased microbial activity
• Enhanced nutrient retention
• Improved root development

Raised bed recommendations:

• Bed height: 20–30 cm
• Bed width: 70–90 cm
• Two-row planting configuration
• Firm but well-drained soil structure

Raised beds help minimise waterlogging while creating an ideal root environment for strawberry plants.

Selecting Quality Planting Material and Suitable Varieties

Plant quality has a major influence on crop performance. Commercial production relies on certified runner plants sourced from reputable nurseries.

Benefits of certified runners include:

• Uniform plant establishment
• Reduced disease risk
• Improved vigour
• Better yield potential
• Consistent fruit quality

Popular strawberry varieties grown in Australia include:

Festival

• High yielding
• Firm fruit
• Good shelf life

Red Rhapsody

• Strong performance in warmer regions
• Excellent fruit colour
• Good storage characteristics

Albion

• Large fruit size
• Extended harvest season
• Excellent flavour

Monterey

• Vigorous growth
• High productivity
• Premium fruit quality

San Andreas

• High yields
• Firm berries
• Extended production period

Variety selection should align with local climate, market requirements, and production objectives.

Planting and Crop Establishment

Strong crop establishment provides the foundation for high yields and consistent fruit quality.

Typical planting periods include:

• Queensland: March to May
• Southern Australia: April to July
• Tasmania: May to August

Planting density considerations:

• Two rows per raised bed
• Plant spacing of 25–35 cm
• Row spacing of 30–40 cm
• Approximately 45,000–65,000 plants per hectare

Establishment priorities include:

• Uniform planting depth
• Immediate irrigation after planting
• Rapid root development
• Early weed control
• Monitoring for transplant stress

Healthy establishment allows plants to develop strong crowns and productive flowering sites.

Irrigation and Nutrition Management

Strawberries have shallow root systems and require careful water and nutrient management throughout the season.

Key irrigation objectives include:

• Maintaining consistent soil moisture
• Supporting root growth
• Encouraging flowering
• Maximising fruit size
• Improving nutrient uptake

Why drip irrigation is preferred:

• Delivers water directly to the root zone
• Supports fertigation programs
• Reduces water losses
• Minimises disease pressure
• Improves water-use efficiency

Key nutrients required for strawberry production:

Macronutrients

• Nitrogen
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Sulphur

Micronutrients

• Boron
• Zinc
• Iron
• Manganese
• Copper
• Molybdenum

Important nutritional goals:

Vegetative growth

• Support canopy development
• Encourage root growth

Flowering

• Promote pollen viability
• Improve fruit set

Fruit development

• Enhance berry size
• Improve flavour and firmness
• Increase shelf life

Balanced nutrition is critical for producing premium-quality fruit while maintaining plant health.

Harvesting and Post-Harvest Management

Strawberries are highly perishable and require careful handling to maintain quality from the paddock to the consumer.

Signs that fruit is ready for harvest:

• Full red colour development
• Bright, glossy appearance
• Good firmness
• Easy separation from the stem

Harvest best practices:

• Pick during cool morning conditions
• Handle fruit gently
• Avoid bruising and compression damage
• Remove damaged or diseased fruit
• Use clean harvesting containers

Post-harvest priorities include:

• Rapid cooling immediately after harvest
• Maintaining the cold chain
• Minimising moisture loss
• Protecting fruit from physical damage

Recommended storage conditions:

• Temperature: 0–2°C
• Relative humidity: 90–95%
• Good air circulation
• Consistent temperature management

Proper post-harvest handling helps maximise shelf life, fruit firmness, flavour, and marketability.

Building a Successful Strawberry Production System

Profitable strawberry production depends on integrating all aspects of crop management, from site preparation through to harvest.

Successful growers focus on:

• Selecting suitable production sites
• Building healthy, well-drained soils
• Using quality planting material
• Establishing strong plant populations
• Managing irrigation precisely
• Providing balanced nutrition
• Protecting crops from pests and diseases
• Harvesting fruit at optimum maturity
• Maintaining post-harvest quality

When these practices work together, growers can achieve higher yields, improved fruit quality, longer shelf life, and stronger economic returns.

Contact Plant Needs for Expert Strawberry Agronomy Advice

Producing high-quality strawberries requires careful management of soil health, irrigation, plant nutrition, and crop performance. Plant Needs provides expert agronomy advice and tailored fertiliser recommendations to help growers maximise yields, improve fruit quality, and optimise production efficiency.

For professional advice on strawberry nutrition and crop management, contact Plant Needs on +61 3 9005 8578 or email info@plantneeds.com.au.