1. Preparing the Land
In late August farmer James E. Cooley begins preparing his land for a new strawberry crop. The land is fertilized and plowed, then rows of black plastic and in-ground drip irrigation is laid by a tractor-machine. The drip tape is used to water and fertilize the strawberry plant.
2. Planting the Strawberries
Fourteen days after the plastic is laid, a tractor mechanically punches holes in the plastic. The strawberry plants are then planted. We plant approximately 17,500 plants per acre for a total of 1.5 million plants.
3. Winter Months & Blooming
During the winter months we maintain the fields by fertilizing the plants. We use row covers to protect the strawberry plant from harsh winds and freezing cold nights from December through February. Plants may begin blooming as early as mid March.
4. Pollinating. 100 hive of SC Honey Bees are used for pollination. The honey bees ensure nice, plump berries. The raw unfiltered honey gathered is sold at our farm and online store.
5. Harvest Time
Strawberries usually ripen around April 20 (depending on Mother Nature) and the season runs through mid-June.
Approximately 100 pickers handpick the berries daily that we sell at Strawberry Hill USA. The workers are trained in how to select the reddest, plumpest berries. The reputation on the farm is “top quality,” and James Cooley works hard to preserve that.
6. Leaf Samples
The strawberry plant must receive certain nutrients to produce the highest quality berries. Leaf samples are gathered (twice a week in season) and sent to Clemson University where the Clemson Agriculture lab tests the nutrients in each leaf. This tells the farmer the amount of nutrients each plant needs. A plant needs the right amount of nutrients to prosper; too much will disrupt the taste and ripening of fruit.
7. Pump Station
The pump station supplies the strawberry plants with the water and nutrients needed via drip irrigation lines. The water is filtered and tested to ensure that all water used meets USDA specifications.