Greenhouse Strawberry Production in the USA: A Complete Guide
How American farmers are using greenhouses and multi-tunnels to grow strawberries year-round. Varieties, systems, costs and ROI for US berry producers.
Strawberries are one of America’s most valuable fruit crops, with annual farm-gate value exceeding $3.5 billion. California alone grows roughly 90% of the country’s strawberries, but that dominance is being challenged by new production regions using controlled-environment agriculture.
Growers in Florida, North Carolina, Oregon, Michigan, and even Tennessee are now producing premium strawberries year-round using multi-tunnels and greenhouses that were once only practical in Europe. Here’s everything you need to know.
Why Grow Strawberries Under Cover?
Traditional field strawberry production has several limitations:
- Seasonal window: most regions can only produce 3-6 months per year
- Weather risk: frost, rain, and hail can destroy entire crops
- Disease pressure: botrytis (gray mold) thrives in wet conditions
- Labor intensity: field strawberries require intensive hand harvesting
Covered production with tunnels or greenhouses solves most of these problems:
- Extend the season by 4-6 months, capture off-season premium prices
- Protect from rain and frost, botrytis pressure drops dramatically
- Better fruit quality, cleaner, more uniform berries
- Easier harvest, workers pick in dry, comfortable conditions
- Higher prices, local-season premium berries command $4-8/lb
Covered Production Systems for Strawberries
Low Multi-Tunnels (Most Popular Entry Point)
Low tunnels are 3-5 feet tall, covering individual rows or beds. They’re the most economical way to start covered strawberry production.
Best for: Small to medium operations, first-time covered production Season extension: 4-6 weeks earlier harvest in spring Cost: $8,000 to $18,000 per acre (materials only)
High Multi-Tunnels (The Sweet Spot)
High tunnels are 8-14 feet tall, covering multiple beds. Workers can walk and operate machinery inside. This is the most popular system for serious strawberry production in the US.
REGASA Multi-Tunnel specifications:
- Height: 10-14 feet at peak
- Width: 30 or 42 feet
- Bay length: up to 300 feet
- Cover: 4-6 year UV-treated greenhouse film
- Ventilation: roll-up sides for temperature management
Season extension: Harvest 6-8 weeks earlier than field Cost: $25,000 to $55,000 per acre ROI period: 2-3 seasons
Hybrid-R Greenhouse
For year-round production in cold climates (Michigan, Oregon, Northeast), the Hybrid-R combines greenhouse protection with superior ventilation. Berry growers in these regions produce strawberries from February through November.
Cost: $65,000 to $120,000 per acre Advantage: Full year-round production capability
Drip Irrigation for Covered Strawberries
Strawberries under tunnels need precise irrigation. Too much water causes root rot and botrytis; too little causes tip burn and poor fruit set.
Recommended system:
- Drip tape at 6” emitter spacing (for dense planting in beds)
- Flow rate: 0.21-0.31 GPH per emitter (Q1 tape)
- Run length: max 200-250 feet per zone
- Irrigation frequency: 2-4 times daily during fruiting
Raised bed system: Most tunnel strawberry production uses raised beds with plastic mulch. The drip tape goes under the mulch, directly at root level. This combination:
- Eliminates soil-borne disease from fruit contact
- Maintains optimal soil temperature
- Reduces water use by 40% vs. overhead irrigation
- Nearly eliminates weed pressure
Varieties for Covered Production
Not all strawberry varieties perform well under tunnels. Look for:
For high tunnels:
- Albion (day-neutral): excellent flavor, large fruit, continuous production
- San Andreas (day-neutral): heat-tolerant, good for warmer regions
- Monterey (day-neutral): very productive, good for California-style production
- Camarosa: short-day, high yield in California-type climates
For full greenhouses (year-round):
- Elsanta: European variety, excellent quality under glass
- Portola: heat tolerant day-neutral, good for extended production
The Economics: What to Expect
High tunnel strawberry production (per acre):
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Establishment cost (year 1) | $30,000 - $55,000 |
| Annual operating costs | $18,000 - $28,000 |
| Expected yield | 20,000 - 35,000 lbs/acre |
| Average farm gate price | $2.50 - $5.00/lb |
| Gross revenue | $50,000 - $175,000 |
| Net profit (after costs) | $22,000 - $120,000 |
The wide range reflects variety selection, market channel (wholesale vs. direct-to-consumer), and management quality.
Direct-to-consumer (u-pick, farmers market) consistently delivers the highest returns, $4-8/lb versus $1.50-2.50/lb wholesale.
Getting Started: Steps to Covered Strawberry Production
- Site selection: minimum 6-8 hours direct sunlight, good drainage
- System selection: match tunnel type to your climate, budget, and market
- Irrigation design: drip tape system sized for your bed layout
- Variety selection: match to your climate and target market
- Order early: tunnels and transplants should be ordered 4-6 months ahead
Why REGASA?
REGASA has been providing agricultural structures and irrigation technology since 1995. Our multi-tunnels are engineered for American conditions, wind loads, snow loads (where applicable), and UV exposure.
We ship complete tunnel kits to all 50 states. Our irrigation division can design and supply a complete drip system for your tunnel operation.
Request a free quote today, tell us your acreage, location, and target crop, and we’ll design the right system for your operation.