The Wool Mulch System of Producing Strawberries: A Manual for Commercial Growers in Minnesota

Abstract

This manual was developed after ten years of research on a new system of producing strawberries using a combination of wool mulch and a canola cover crop/mulch. The wool mulch – a locally produced, biodegradable and renewable product – is used in the strawberry rows, and functions as a weed deterrent while also regulating soil temperature, retaining moisture and suppressing many diseases. The canola is used before planting as a weed suppressing cover crop. Later, canola is used between the rows of strawberries where it continues its role as weed suppressant. Only two herbicide applications are used in the system, both on the canola, which is a reduction from conventional methods.