Strawberries are the ultimate stars in food production. Not just a sweet and sour snack, they’re key players in everything from fresh fruit sales to processed favourites like jams, jellies, fruit juices, candies, and even cosmetics.
Their captivating red colour and irresistible flavour make them a must-have. Imagine growing your own – a splash of colour in your garden, a healthy treat at your fingertips, and the perfect snack-time addition! What’s not to love?
Your bestie for brain, gut and heart health
Tshwane-based plant pathologist Sibongile Jiyane says strawberries are high in vitamin C. She explains that the high vitamin C and other antioxidants in strawberries lower the risk of major illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
She says, “Your brain may lose some of its mental acuity as you age. However, studies show that consuming strawberries helps to preserve your brain’s ability to comprehend information as you age.”
Jiyane notes that antioxidant polyphenols found in strawberries may boost mental sharpness, improve brain health, and preserve cognitive function as you age.
“An excessive amount of glucose increases the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Strawberries might help you sate your sweet tooth if you’re watching your blood sugar levels.”
Sibongile Jiyane
Furthermore, Jiyane says strawberries may help maintain a healthy digestive system, avoid constipation, and feed the good bacteria in your stomach due to their high fibre content.
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Step-by-step guide for strawberry success
According to Asanda Sokombela, an assistant horticulture technician from the University of Fort Hare in the Eastern Cape, the best time to plant strawberries in South Africa depends on the variety being grown. For instance, spring-bearing varieties are typically planted from the end of March to the end of April, as soon as the summer heat subsides.
She says Everbearing varieties are generally planted from the end of March to August.
“To achieve maximum yield in strawberry production, it is essential to implement appropriate agronomic practices, including soil testing, fertiliser management, irrigation scheduling, pest control, and optimal planting times.”
Asanda Sokombela
She notes that soil preparation is a critical stage in plant growth, as it directly influences plant survival and yield.
“Prior to planting, it is essential for farmers to collect soil samples for laboratory analysis.”
She says the lab report provides comprehensive information on soil suitability for strawberry production, including nutrient levels and specific fertiliser recommendations tailored to the land in question.
Effective irrigation management is crucial for strawberry production, as inadequate water supply can lead to water stress, negatively affecting root development and resulting in reduced yields, explains Sokombela.
When selecting the most appropriate irrigation system, Sokombela advises the following factors:
- Soil type
- Water quality
- Climate conditions
- Seasonality
- Fruit variety
- The type of mulching used
- Irrigation: Drip irrigation is often preferred due to its efficiency in water usage and its ability to reduce disease incidence compared to overhead sprinklers.
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Storing strawberries at their best
Strawberries have a very limited shelf life and can quickly lose quality, especially if improperly handled, says Zandile Nkolisa, a scientific technician at Dohne Agricultural Development Institute in the Eastern Cape.
To prevent spoilage, Nkolisa advises storing strawberries at recommended temperatures, packing them in moisture-controlling materials with good ventilation, using ethylene-absorbing materials, and maintaining a controlled atmosphere with high humidity and low oxygen levels.
“To preserve freshness, it’s recommended to pack strawberries in containers with good ventilation and keep them at optimal storage temperatures, which range between 0-5°C,” she says.
“If a cool room or storage area is available, they should be stored within six hours of being picked.”
Zandile Nkolisa
Nkolisa advises that strawberries should not be exposed to direct sunlight, as this can increase respiration, causing them to spoil faster. They should be transported in well-ventilated vehicles, and refrigerated transportation is ideal if available.
She also notes that, size, colour, firmness, and total soluble solids are maturity indicators for determining when to harvest strawberries. Indigenous knowledge also relies on “smell”, described as a pleasant or fruity scent, to signal harvest readiness.
“Red colour with no green or white shoulders is a good indication that strawberries are ready for harvest.
“For size, it generally depends on the cultivar. In terms of firmness and total soluble solids, the fruit should be slightly soft to touch, with a Brix level of 7-10 degrees.”
Another crucial aspect, she mentions, is training harvesters in proper picking techniques. She says it is important that harvesters know to pick the berries off the stalk without handling the fruit directly.
This training, she says, helps ensure that pickers handle the strawberries without damaging or bruising the fruit or the plants.
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