A message from Nourse Farms

As our growing season begins, one of the first tasks for strawberry growers is removing of straw mulch. Timing is important, so we put together tips to assist in the evaluation of when to remove your mulch:

• Start checking under the straw for plant growth after several days of warm weather. 
• To delay extensive frost protection, hold mulch on as long as possible.
• The heaviest clumps of straw hold the most moisture and growth will start there first. It is important to avoid yellowed leaves on new growth. 
• New growth that shows yellowing, indicates trouble; the straw should be removed immediately. 
• Once straw is removed, set up irrigation for frost protection.