The young plant in the picture produces this leaf in only four days after emerging frozen from a warehouse in Turlock. The strawberry crowns are lifted from the nursery fields in January. They are then sorted, graded and packed into boxes. To keep them in a dormant state they are held below freezing. So last week when we collected our plants and transplanted then they has a very sudden spring awakening.
How we grow strawberries does take a little explanation. We removed the woven plastic fabric from an old strawberry field. Roberto prepared new beds where strawberries have never grown before. This plastic has already been used on two previous strawberry crops. The plants will now grow and establish a strong roots system ahead of the winter. They will then be in great shape to produce abundant strawberry crops in May.