Sweeter in stone wool
Frédéric Garcia is the third generation in his family to make a living growing high-quality produce, but the first to embrace soilless, high-tech farming techniques—and with mouth-watering results.
After using Grodan’s stone wool growing media and greenhouse management technology to improve his tomato quality and yields, Garcia chose to try the same with his strawberries.
“As with my tomatoes, I wanted to manage the cultivation of my strawberries more precisely to encourage greater productivity,” says the 41-year old Garcia from his farm in Mauguio, southern France.
After one year in the stone wool substrate, production is more regular, the final yield is greater and there’s a significant improvement in the taste and storage characteristics of the strawberries, he says. Additionally, the technology is helping him learn more about his products and improve his processes.
“The GroSens sensors enabled me to extend watering times a little and to adapt the frequency of watering. I also noticed that, in contrast to the tomato, the peaks of water and fertiliser consumption for the strawberry are in the morning and evening, giving me a better understanding of how the strawberry plant functions.”
Project location
Grodan Application in Maugio, France
