AGRICULTURAL
QUICK FACTS
The tiny bumps on the outside of strawber-
ries are seeds. An average strawberry con-
tains 200 seeds, making it the one of the few
fruits to have seeds on their exterior.
Strawberries will stop ripening once picked.
To make sure they stay fresh, don’t wash
or remove their green caps before storing.
Save the washing for when you’re about to
eat them.
Strawberry leaves are rich in iron and vita-
min C and make an excellent tea which
can also be used to treat diarrhoea, kidney
problems, throat infections, digestive upsets
and relieve gout.
Strawberries are perennial plants that are
able to produce fruit for up to 5 years.
FARMING REQUIREMENTS
Climate requirements: Grows best in tempe
rate climate. Is a short day plant, which requires
about 10 day exposure of less than 8 hours sun-
shine for initiation of flowering.
Irrigation: Requires more frequent, but less
water in each irrigation.
Soil: The plants should be set in the soil with
their roots going straight down. The soil around
the plant should be firmly packed to exclude
air. Liberal quantities of organic manure should
be incorporated in the soil before planting.
Yield: A yield of 20 to 25 tons per hectare is
excellent, though yields of up to 50 tons per
hectare have been reported under ideal con-
ditions.
Harvesting: Harvesting should be done daily
and early in the morning in dry conditions.
Since fruit is highly perishable, it is packed in
flat shallow containers with one or two layers
of fruit.
SENWES SCENARIO | SUMMER 2018
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