ESTABLISH FASTER. USE LESS WATER. REDUCE LABOR.  

STRAWBERRY PLUG PLANTS

Strawberry plug plants help commercial growers reduce establishment risk, lower labor requirements, and achieve more uniform stands than with traditional bare-root systems.

What Is a Strawberry Plug Plant?

A strawberry plug plant is a young strawberry plant grown from a runner tip and established in a cell tray with a fully developed root system and foliage. Unlike dormant bare root plants, which are shipped without soil and in a dormant state, plugs arrive actively growing and rooted in media. This means plug plants are ready for rapid establishment in the field and offer a more forgiving planting process than bare root plants, which require immediate planting and careful handling.

At Nourse Farms, our strawberry plugs are produced from clean, tissue-cultured mother stock and grown on a protected, raised outdoor system to ensure healthy, vigorous plants arrive ready to establish quickly in the field.

Plug vs. Bare Root

By The Numbers

• 90+ years propagating berry plants
• Millions of berry plants produced annually
• Virus-indexed source material
• Commercial growers served across North America
• Up to 80% less water required during establishment

Why Growers Choose Plug Plants

Plant Later and Reduce Summer Labor Pressure

Bare root strawberry plants are typically planted in plasticulture systems from mid-June through early July in many Northeast and Mid-Atlantic systems, while plug plants can be transplanted about 30 days later, extending planting into late summer or early fall.

This later planting window helps growers:

• Spread out labor demands during peak summer workloads.
• Focus on other critical farm tasks during June and July.
• Still produce fruit the following spring.

Faster, More Reliable Establishment

Plugs, with established roots, begin active growth soon after transplanting.

Benefits include:

• Faster establishment after planting
• Reduced transplant stress
• Improved uniformity
• Less risk of plant desiccation during establishment 

Lower Irrigation Requirements

Dormant bare root plants require intensive overhead irrigation immediately after planting while new roots develop.

Plug plants already possess an active root system, which can mean:

• Reduced irrigation during establishment
• Lower labor costs
• Greater flexibility when weather conditions are challenging

Research has shown that plug plants may require up to 80% less water during establishment than bare root plants. 

Mechanized Planting Opportunities

Strawberry plugs can be transplanted using mechanical transplanters, helping commercial growers:

• Reduce hand labor requirements.
• Increase planting efficiency
• Improve consistency across larger acreages.

Less Runner Management

While runner removal remains important for branch crown development, plug plant systems generally require fewer runner management passes compared to bare root plasticulture systems.

<h2 class=">Nourse Farms Grows Differently, Making Clean Plants the Foundation of Customers’ Success

For over 90 years, Nourse Farms has been a trusted producer and supplier of premium-quality strawberry plants. Dedicated to providing clean, highly productive plants to national and international commercial fruit growers, Nourse Farms consistently strives for a new era of excellence in tissue culture production and stays at the forefront of industry advancements by continuously identifying and testing growing techniques.

Each Nourse Farms strawberry plug is produced from virus-indexed, tissue-cultured mother plants originating in our modern tissue culture laboratory in Whately, MA.

After the laboratory stage, plants are transferred to advanced greenhouses where modern agricultural methods complement Nourse Farms’ proven techniques. Facilities maintain high plant hygiene for all greenhouse-grown mother plants and trays, cultivated in a controlled, soil-free environment.

During propagation, pest and disease management is prioritized. We scout for issues and send leaf samples for disease monitoring, including for Neo-P.

Plants are finished on a raised rail tray system, a protected outdoor production system that shields plants from the impact of weather events and reduces the risk of splashing in the fields as we care for our strawberry plants.

This system is designed to promote: 

• Uniform rooting
• Vigorous plant growth
• Reduced disease pressure
• Consistent plant quality

The result is clean, uniform plants ready to establish quickly and deliver strong field performance.

Are Plug Plants Right for Your Operation?

Available Varieties: 

Northern June-bearing:

Everbearing:

Minimum Quantity:

7,490 plugs (2 pallets)

7,500 plants cover a half (½) acre

Note: 150k plugs are a full truckload

Packing:

70 plants per tray

1 tray per box

Shipping/Pick Up:

Shipping costs are calculated at the time of shipment.

Note: Pick-up is available only at our Whately, MA (41 River Rd S, Whately, MA 01373) location.

 

Availability Dates:

Ready to secure your strawberry plug plants?