Strawberries Crop Guide

Estimated Cost $1,900 to $2,500 per acre establishment and annual production; harvest late March to early April
Market OutletsPick your own, farmers markets, roadside
Market PotentialGood, but competitive California prices are very low
Profit Potential$0 to $1,000 per acre
Adapted AreasSouth of Houston, San Antonio and Del Rio
Labor RequirementsOne man per 2 acres; at harvest 10 people per acre
Equipment RequirementsTractor, bedding disk, planter, plastic mulch machine, drip irrigation, sprayer
Soil RequirementsSandy soil only
Water RequirementsMinimum of 1 inch per week; good quality sprinkler irrigation at planting and drip irrigation during production
Minimum Size1/4 acre
Risk FactorHigh
Other Limiting FactorsSpring freeze and high summer temperatures limit production period to only 4 to 8 weeks each spring in late March and early April. Planting, irrigation and harvesting are major management goals. Mites, leaf spot and grey mold are major pests.
CommentsExtremely hard stoop labor requirement at planting and harvesting, plus high establishment costs has limited strawberry acerage in Texas. It is currently only in areas with sandy soil and top quality water.