Dec 18, 2023

New Jersey strawberry production showcased on summer tour

Strawberries set the pace as one of the first crops of the New Jersey growing season. Farm operators from across the state shared their growing and marketing experiences during the North American Strawberry Growers Association (NASGA) 2023 Summer Tour. The mid-August visits came about two months after the state’s spring season ended, providing a close look at New Jersey strawberry production practices.

Specca Farms focuses on varieties and strong transplants

Specca Farms in Springfield Township, Burlington County, is operated by Dave and Lisa Specca and their son, Stephen. They grow three acres of Rutgers Scarlet, Chandler, Flavor Fest, and Sweet Charlie strawberries for primarily u-pick customers. Harvest begins in late April or early May and can last into mid-June.

“Strawberries have been a big part of our mix,” Dave Specca said. The Specca family has farmed since the early 1900s and today manages 125 acres of vegetables along with strawberries.

The farm uses a plasticulture system with floating row covers. Sweet Charlie ripens first, typically in late April. Specca called 2023 a “phenomenal” production year, with picking lasting about seven weeks. Furthermore, Rutgers D’Light has also gained flavor with customers, and the family now roots some of its own tips to meet demand.

“If you get good, healthy tips and you have them under mist in the greenhouse, that’s usually about a 10-day period,” Specca explained. “We wean them off the mist and you grow them as you would any transplant. This is the crop that will be going out in a couple weeks.”

Healthy transplants are key. “It makes all the difference in the crop as it’s maturing,” Specca said. Strong fall establishment sets the plants up for spring flower development.

The farm mows strawberries to two inches in mid-July after the first year of production. “Hopefully, it encourages new growth,” said Stephen Specca. “It takes out some of the older crowns. It mows down some of the weeds that are on the plastic.”

High raised beds covered with black plastic help prevent root diseases during wet seasons. Additionally, irrigation is applied both under the plastic and overhead to keep plants cool and moist during establishment.

“On plasticulture, it’s Mother’s Day at the latest when we open the field,” Dave Specca said. “Being first with the strawberries and getting into the stride of your crop early is definitely where you want to be.”

Duffield’s Farm adapts with plasticulture and plugs

Duffield’s Farm & Market in Sewell, New Jersey, has grown strawberries for more than 50 years. Operated by Dave Duffield and his son, Matt, the farm has transitioned through different production systems.

“Varieties have changed. Plasticulture was introduced in the mid-90s,” said Matt Duffield. One challenge is securing preferred varieties. “Some of the varieties that we grow are just for fresh-market sales, not for commercial wholesale. For example, there’s Sweet Charlie. A lot of people don’t want to grow it. But when we put Sweet Charlie on our market inside, they sell out. People will be waiting for it the next day.”

When Flavorfest plugs were unavailable, the Duffields began making their own plugs from bare roots in the greenhouse. “Only two of the three plots made it once they were planted,” Matt said. “We’re learning and trying to change with the times in order to keep the varieties that we want.”

Flavorfest, though popular, can struggle without adequate fungicide coverage. However, 2023 brought ideal conditions. “This year was the best strawberry season I can think of,” Matt said. “We had very little rot and fungus. It was so dry. It doesn’t help that the government has taken away of lot of our herbicides. Not just for strawberries, but for all the other crops, too.”

Though the farm traditionally grew matted-row strawberries to extend the season, Matt prefers plasticulture for its efficiency. Consequently, plasticulture remains his favored method moving forward.

Strong season for New Jersey

As the NASGA tour stops, growers highlighted how adapting with plasticulture, plugs, and careful transplant management helps strengthen New Jersey strawberry production. Moreover, for many, being first to market remains the key to success.

— Gary Pullano, contributing writer

Gary Pullano is a Michigan-based journalist with more than 45 years of industry experience. As a semi-retired former managing editor for Great American Media Services, Pullano has covered the specialty agriculture sector for the past decade.