Spading for optimal strawberry yields

Spading for optimal strawberry yields – Van Oorschot on precision and practice

What started as a horticultural business grew under the leadership of Teun van Oorschot into a specialist in contract work and strawberry cultivation in the Rijsbergen region. Since 2013, Van Oorschot has focused on mechanization in horticulture and the company has grown into a team of seven employees. One of their specializations is spading and spade sowing for strawberry cultivation.

"Spading is fast and efficient," says Teun.

We prepare a seedbed or planting bed in a single pass. This is ideal after mowing green manure crops such as tagetes or Japanese oats, especially when the seed needs to fall into slightly moist soil.

In strawberry cultivation, spading is cleverly combined with incorporating straw and sowing green manure to control nematodes.

We mill the ridges, then drive diagonally across the beds with a spading and sowing combination, and work the straw in nicely.

Soil herbicides are also processed efficiently. Thanks to a powered harrow roller, the product is neatly mixed into the top layer – with visible results.

In spinach, we even see faster emergence than with traditional plowing and sowing. The seed lies closer to the surface, allowing it to germinate more quickly.

Van Oorschot combines practical experience with smart use of technology. Whether it's strawberries, spinach, or green manure: precision work pays off.