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Oregon State University research confirms that using plastic tunnel systems — both low and high tunnels — helps strawberry plants thrive longer and produce more market-ready fruit.
The study, conducted from 2021 to 2023, focused on day-neutral strawberry varieties like ‘Albion’ and ‘Seascape.’ Tunnels raised plant temperatures, protected them from rain and cold, and extended the harvest beyond the usual summer weeks.
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Results showed that low tunnels produced the most marketable strawberries, followed by high tunnels and open fields. ‘Albion’ performed best in both yield and sweetness.
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This tunnel method allows Oregon growers to offer fresh, local strawberries longer into the season — a timely alternative to less-ripe imports.
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