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Strawberry

Strawberry

Fragaria × ananassa GRIN 244

fruitperennial Zone 3–9

High-value perennial berry suitable for Zones 4-8 using matted-row or plasticulture; requires well-drained soil, consistent moisture, intensive management for optimal yields of 5-10k lbs/acre.

28/30

Crop Snowflake Score

Gross Revenue
$18,000

/acre

Net Return
$4,000

/acre

Price Trend
stable
Establishment Cost
$1,500

/acre

Crop Insurance
Available
Years to Production
2

years

Overview

Growing Season

Plant
April (matted row) – April (matted row)
Harvest
Late May - early July – Late May - early July
Frost-free days
150+
GDD (base 50°F)
1,500

Yield

Typical yield
5,000 lbs/acre
Productive lifespan
3 years
Years to full prod.
2
Labor
120 hrs/acre
96%

Market Fit

6/6

Active Regional Buyers

2 active buyers on record purchasing this crop.

Price Trend Stable/Up

3-year price trend recorded as "increasing".

Supply Below Demand

3 of 6 documented channels rate viability "strong". Sold into regional rather than national markets, fruit supply here generally trails that demand.

Multiple Buyer Channels

5 of 6 documented market channels rate viable or better (csa, farmers_market, retail, direct_to_consumer). Multiple independent routes to market.

Value-Added Potential

4 viable direct-market channels (csa, farmers_market, direct_to_consumer, restaurant). Supports value-added and margin capture beyond wholesale.

Market Growth Projected

Specialty fruit segment; consumer demand for regionally grown specialty produce has been expanding.

Market Channels

wholesale · Wholesale marketing of short-season, perishable strawberries is uncommon for small-to-mid-scale growers. Extreme perishability (7 days max shelf life) and the need for rapid cold chain make wholesale challenging without significant infrastructure.
csa · Strawberries are among the most valued CSA box items and drive subscriptions. Many farms time their CSA season launch to coincide with strawberry harvest. Short window concentrates demand.
farmers_market · Strawberries are among the highest-demand farmers market items. Fresh local berries command significant premiums over retail. Early-season availability drives strong customer traffic.
retail · Local grocery stores may purchase from nearby farms, but competition with large-scale producers is intense. Requires consistent daily supply during season and food safety certifications.
direct_to_consumer · U-pick is the dominant marketing channel - reduces harvest labor costs dramatically. Farm stands and pre-order systems also popular. Most strawberry farms use multiple direct marketing strategies simultaneously.
restaurant · Restaurants purchase fresh strawberries for desserts, salads, and beverages. Seasonal demand is strong but requires rapid same-day or next-day delivery due to extreme perishability.

Climate Fit

6/6

Hardiness Zone Match

Crop tolerates zones 4-8; region spans 5-6. Overlaps.

GDD Sufficient

Crop needs 1500 GDD (base 50F); region accumulates 2500+. Sufficient.

Precipitation Compatible

Crop needs ~25 in; region receives ~38 in/yr. Compatible, irrigation available as supplement.

Frost-Free Season OK

Crop needs 150 frost-free days; region provides ~180. Sufficient.

Chill Hours Met

Perennial. Region's zone 5-6 winters deliver well over 1,000 chill hours, ample for temperate perennials.

Climate Trend Favorable

Crop spans 5 hardiness zones (4-8). Wide adaptive range buffers against warming trend.

Fit by region

The farm matcher, run on each region's cited climate normals. Soil and site are not included here; add your own on the match page.

Match your farm
Finger Lakeszone 5b/6a · 2,200 GDD · 145 frost-free days · 38.29" rain

Limited by frost-free season, high-severity risks. 6 criteria evaluated; 67% cited.

Strong fit
83/100
Hardiness zoneHeat accumulation (GDD base 50F)Frost-free seasonRainfallHigh-severity risksKnown buyers
Lake Erie Concord Grape Beltzone 6a/6b/7a · 2,923 GDD · 185 frost-free days · 41.09" rain

Limited by high-severity risks. 6 criteria evaluated; 67% cited.

Strong fit
96/100
Hardiness zoneHeat accumulation (GDD base 50F)Frost-free seasonRainfallHigh-severity risksKnown buyers
Chautauqua Uplands (Allegheny Plateau)zone 6a · 2,364 GDD · 158 frost-free days · 45.93" rain

Limited by high-severity risks. 6 criteria evaluated; 67% cited.

Strong fit
96/100
Hardiness zoneHeat accumulation (GDD base 50F)Frost-free seasonRainfallHigh-severity risksKnown buyers

Climate envelope & site

What the farm matcher compares your conditions against.

Climate envelope

Hardiness zone
3–9
Frost-free season
150+ days
Heat (GDD base 50°F)
1,500+
Winter chill
400–800 hours
Rainfall
23.6–66.9 in/yr

Below the minimum, irrigation is needed; above the maximum the crop fails.

Soil pH target
5.5–7.0

Extension lime target; within 1.0 of it is correctable.

Site & structure

Spring frost at bloom
high sensitivity
Needs cold-air drainage
yes — avoid frost pockets
Shade tolerance
none — full sun
Mature height
not yet recorded
Rooting depth
6 in
Wind exposure tolerance
not yet recorded
Workable slope
up to 12%

Height, rooting depth and shade tolerance are the inputs an alley or guild layout needs.

Soil Compatibility

Soil Texture

sandy_loam (ideal)loam (ideal)silt_loam (suitable)loamy_sand (suitable)sandy_clay_loam (marginal)sand (marginal)silty_clay_loam (marginal)clay (poor)silty_clay (poor)clay_loam (marginal)

Drainage

well_drained (ideal)moderately_well_drained (suitable)somewhat_excessively_drained (suitable)somewhat_poorly_drained (marginal)excessively_drained (marginal)poorly_drained (marginal)very_poorly_drained (marginal)

Infrastructure Fit

5/6

Equipment Compatible

4 of 10 documented equipment items are crop-specific (40%) against a catalog median of 29%. Above-median share of purpose-built equipment, implying real capital outlay.

Storage Available

3 documented storage routes; at least one (Fresh cold storage) is reachable with conventional on-farm or third-party facilities.

Irrigation Compatible

Requires ~25 in. Deliverable with conventional drip or overhead irrigation.

Field Layout Suitable

Suited to the small-to-mid-size fragmented parcels typical of the region.

Labor Availability

120 labor hr/ac vs catalog 75th percentile 250 hr/ac. Manageable with typical farm labor.

Processing Proximity

2 processor/cooperative buyers on record for this crop, 1 within NY/PA/OH.

Equipment Requirements

planting

Compact Tractor (25-45 HP)Required

General utility tractor for bed prep, cultivation, and mowing. Fixed cost shared across farm.

$22,000
Bed Shaper / Raised Bed FormerRequired Specialized

Forms raised plastic-mulched beds 6-8 inches high — essential for matted row and plasticulture strawberry systems.

$6,500
Plastic Mulch LayerOptional Specialized

Required for plasticulture (annual) production; lays plastic, drip tape, and forms beds in one pass.

$5,500
Water-Wheel TransplanterOptional Specialized

Speeds transplanting of plug strawberries through plastic; 1- or 2-row models.

$4,500

irrigation

Drip Irrigation SystemRequired

Per-acre cost including drip tape, header lines, filters, and fertigation injector. Essential for plasticulture and beneficial for matted row.

$1,200
Overhead Sprinkler (Frost Protection)Optional

Per-acre; critical in northern regions for bloom-time frost protection. Saves crops from freeze events down to ~24°F.

$2,500

spraying

Boom Sprayer (tractor-mounted)Required

For fungicide (botrytis, anthracnose) and insecticide programs. 25-100 gallon tank common for small-medium operations.

$4,500

harvesting

Harvest Trays / Flats and CartsRequired

Picking trays (clamshells or quarts), flats, and rolling harvest carts. Hand-harvest is standard for fresh market.

$1,500
Mechanical Harvester (Processing)Optional Specialized

Only used for processing-grade fruit (purees/IQF). Not applicable to fresh market, PYO, or direct-market growers.

$150,000

post_harvest

Refrigerated Cooling RoomRequired

Walk-in cooler to rapidly cool fruit to 32-34°F within 1-2 hours of harvest. Forced-air units improve cooling speed.

$15,000

Storage Requirements

Fresh cold storage

Temperature

32–36°F

Humidity

90–95%

Max Storage

7 days

Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP)

Temperature

32–36°F

Humidity

90–95%

Max Storage

14 days

Frozen (IQF)

Temperature

-10–0°F

Max Storage

365 days

Financial Return

5/6

Revenue Above Average

Gross revenue $19,200/ac vs catalog median $6,000/ac. Above median.

Input Costs Acceptable

Total input cost $14,500/ac vs catalog 75th percentile $6,300/ac. Above the top quartile.

Payback Period OK

Reaches full production in 2 years. Acceptable payback.

Insurance Available

Federal crop insurance or an equivalent risk product is available.

Revenue Per Labor Hour

Net return per labor hour $39.17 ($4,700/ac over 120 hr/ac) vs catalog median $13.16. Above median.

Grants/Subsidies

Fruit crops are eligible under the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

Economics Breakdown

Avg Price/Unit$2//lb
Gross Revenue/Acre$18,000
Annual Operating Cost$2,000/acre
Establishment Cost$1,500/acre
Total Input Cost—/acre
Net Return/Acre$4,000
Revenue/Labor Hour—
Crop Insurance Available

Source: Penn State Extension Strawberry Production (matted row) (2025)

Risk Profile

6/6

Manageable Pest/Disease

4 of 11 documented risks are high-severity (36%) against a catalog median of 36%. Risk load is manageable by conventional IPM.

Market Diversified

5 viable market channels of 6 documented, plus 2 named buyers. Not dependent on a single outlet.

Low Establishment Risk

2 years to full production at $7,000/ac establishment cost. Low establishment exposure.

Climate Resilient

Tolerates zones 4-8 (5 zones). Broad tolerance indicates resilience to seasonal variability.

Regulatory Burden Low

No crop-specific licensing or reporting regime beyond standard food-safety and pesticide rules.

Diversifies Portfolio

Adds a fruit revenue stream distinct from the region's grape-dominated base.

Known Risks

disease

Leaf Spot and Leaf Scorchlow

Complex of fungal leaf diseases (Mycosphaerella, Diplocarpon) that reduce photosynthetic area. Generally cosmetic unless severe.

Gray Mold (Botrytis cinerea)high

Fungal disease affecting flowers and fruit, especially in humid conditions. Causes soft brown fruit rot and can destroy large portions of a crop during wet harvest weather.

Anthracnose Fruit Rot (Colletotrichum spp.)high

Fungal disease producing firm tan-to-black lesions on fruit. Pathogen is seed- and transplant-borne and can wipe out plasticulture plantings in warm, wet weather.

Red Stele Root Rot (Phytophthora fragariae)moderate

Soil-borne water mold that rots roots, producing a red core visible when roots are cut lengthwise. Persistent in poorly drained soils for many years.

pest

Spotted Wing Drosophila (Drosophila suzukii)high

Invasive fruit fly that lays eggs in ripening soft fruit, causing larval infestation and rapid fruit breakdown. A major threat in late-season day-neutral strawberries.

Tarnished Plant Bug (Lygus lineolaris)moderate

Piercing-sucking insect that feeds on developing achenes, causing "cat-facing" deformed berries with reduced market value.

Two-spotted Spider Mite (Tetranychus urticae)moderate

Mite that feeds on leaf undersides causing stippling and reduced vigor. Populations explode in hot, dry weather, particularly in plasticulture systems.

Strawberry Clipper / Bud Weevil (Anthonomus signatus)low

Small weevil that severs flower buds before bloom, reducing yield potential. Damage most visible at early bloom.

weather

Spring Frost Damage to Bloomshigh

Open flowers are killed at 30°F; tight buds tolerate to 22°F. Late spring frosts during bloom are the single largest annual yield risk for matted row systems.

Winter Injury / Crown Damagemoderate

Crowns are killed below 10-15°F if unprotected. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles also cause frost heaving of newly planted transplants.

market

Short Harvest Window and Perishabilitymoderate

June-bearing harvest compresses into 3-4 weeks with berries holding only 2-5 days refrigerated. Oversupply collapses prices at peak season.

Nutritional Yield

USDA FoodData Central
Profile based on Strawberries, raw (fruit form)
Edible mass per acre2,132 kg
Computed: 5,000 lbs × 0.45 kg/unit × 94% edible

Macronutrients

NutrientPer 100 gPer acre
Calories32 kcal682,199 kcal
Protein0.7 g14,284 g
Total fat0.3 g6,396 g
Carbohydrates7.7 g163,728 g
Fiber2 g42,637 g
Sugar4.9 g104,249 g

Key micronutrients

Iron
0.4 mg /100g
8,741 mg / acre
Calcium
16 mg /100g
341,100 mg / acre
Potassium
153 mg /100g
3,261,766 mg / acre
Vitamin C
58.8 mg /100g
1,253,541 mg / acre
Vitamin A
12 IU /100g
255,825 IU / acre
Folate
24 mcg /100g
511,650 mcg / acre

Uncertainty: Per-acre values are estimates that compound the yield range, edible-fraction assumption, and a single representative nutrient panel. Treat them as order-of-magnitude planning numbers, not nutritional advice. Confidence: high.

Ecosystem Services

Ecosystem service data pending.

The next research-agent rotation will document this crop's contributions to pollinator support, soil health, water quality, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration.

Cultivars

Named varieties and what the sources say sets each apart. A cultivar-specific zone, chill or maturity figure overrides the species value above.

Grows With / Avoid Near

Documented interactions with other catalog crops — shared pests, allelopathy, rotation effects, alley and understory pairings — for companion, guild and rotation planning. Plan a combination with Strawberry →

Avoid near, or plan around (45)

Grows with (4)

Direction matters: a rotation benefit of A before B says nothing about B before A. Interactions are documented pairs only; absence is a research gap, not a clean bill.

Nearby Buyers

Radius from Lake Erie Concord Grape Belt:

Eden Valley Growers

Eden, NY · 30.0 mi

cooperative
Accepts contracts

Data Sources

Every data point on this page is traceable to its source. Below you'll find the complete provenance trail — which sources were used, when data was last verified, and a full change history.

Primary sources: Data sourced from Cornell Cooperative Extension, Penn State Extension, USDA resources, and regional research.

Economics data year: 2025 · Basis: lake erie View economics source →

68 tracked changes across 9 data categories

Soil Preferences

Market Channels

Equipment Requirements

Crop Picker

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Your Location

  • Lake Erie Concord Grape Belt
  • NY / PA
  • United States
  • Zone 6a

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Experimental research database. AI-assisted, may contain errors. Not formal agricultural, financial, or planting advice. Verify with your local extension service before making decisions.

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