Abstract
The commercial production of short-day strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) varieties on raised beds was explored in two experiments. Our results indicate that there is no enhancement in winter injury when plastic soil mulches are used in place of no mulch. Conversely, no yield or fruit size advantage is gained by using plastic mulches in British Columbia. ‘Rainier’ grown on raised beds will provide a significant marketable yield in the planting year, with adequate yield in the subsequent year. This first-year return represents a significant advantage over ‘Totem,’ the dominant commercial variety at the present.