The Strawberry Trial: Plastic vs. Clover
Farmacea’s project is a strawberry trial comparing traditional plastic mulch to a living mulch of white Dutch clover. Their research question is simple but will help Farmacea determine which strawberry planting system will work best for them in the coming years: “Does a living clover mulch produce higher strawberry yields than a plastic mulch?”.
To answer this, they’ve set up six beds. Three beds use the conventional plastic mulch, while the other three are planted with New Zealand White Clover (Trifolium repens) to serve as a living mulch. Both sets of beds include a mix of strawberry cultivars: Earliglow, Chandler, Allstar, and San Andreas, ensuring consistency in strawberry varieties across the trial.
Careful initial planning was essential, focusing on a consistent number and mix of strawberry plants in each bed. Mike and Rollin standardized the beds and timed clover planting, which faced weather-related delays and farm facility damage. Additionally, deer intrusions necessitated the construction of higher fences to protect the crops.
What They’re Measuring
Farmacea will be tracking several key metrics to determine the success of each mulching method:
- Yield: Weight of harvested berries, percent marketable yield, and pint counts.
- Brix: A measure of sugar content in the berries.
- Weed Pressure: Observations and frequency of weeding interventions.
- Photo Documentation: Keeping a visual record of the trial’s progress.
- Soil Testing: Collecting samples to analyze soil health.
Data is being collected consistently over the season, with harvests twice weekly. They plan to document everything from the number of pints of berries to the weight of both marketable and unmarketable yields. Brix levels are being measured to gauge the sweetness of the berries and will ideally be taken at three intervals during the strawberry season.
Why This Matters
Farmacea’s trial is about more than just growing strawberries. It’s about finding sustainable options for weed suppression and improving soil health through practices like cover cropping. They are also interested in decreasing their reliance on nonrenewable resources and preventing microplastic contamination in their soil. Implementing a living mulch strategy is intended to lessen the need for manual weeding, enhance soil structure, and foster an environment that naturally inhibits weeds.
