Frigo Plant Guide: Storage and Planting Time

Frigo seedlings are bare-root strawberry plants stored in cold storage, which make planting time more flexible in strawberry production. In this guide, you'll find the storage conditions, planting time, and advantages of frigo seedlings.

What Is a Frigo Seedling?

A frigo seedling is a bare-root strawberry plant that, after being lifted, is stored in a cold storage facility at -1 to -2°C. Its name comes from the German word "frigo," meaning "cold." In this method, the seedling is completely stripped of soil, its leaves are pruned, and it is placed in a controlled cold environment to rest. In this way, the plant undergoes its natural winter dormancy under artificial conditions.

The production process begins with lifting the mother plants from the field in autumn. The lifted seedlings are first placed in pre-cooling, then gradually brought down to -1 to -2°C for long-term storage. Within this temperature range, the seedling can remain viable for 8–10 months. What matters is that the temperature inside the storage facility remains constant and the humidity level does not drop below 90 percent.

What Does a Frigo Seedling Offer the Grower?

The most notable advantage of frigo seedlings is that they allow the grower to determine the planting time. Thanks to this flexibility, you can plan your labor and schedule your harvest according to market conditions. You can plant in spring and start harvesting in early summer, or plant in late summer to reach the autumn market. The seedling establishes quickly and vigorously in the field because the plant has completed its dormancy period and is ready for active growth at the time of planting.

The main difference between a frigo seedling and a fresh seedling emerges during the post-planting adaptation period. While a fresh seedling goes straight to the field immediately after lifting, a frigo seedling has been held in storage, so you can plan your planting calendar months in advance. In large-scale operations especially, this planning advantage plays a critical role in balancing labor costs. Family-run operations, on the other hand, typically prefer frigo seedlings for spring planting, thereby capturing early-season price advantages in the market alongside the summer harvest.

Why Does Experience Matter in Frigo Seedling Production?

Anka Çilek Fidesi, operating in Turkey since 1993, has significant experience in frigo seedling production. In 2019, it acquired Plantko Fidecilik, taking over approximately 40 percent of the heritage in the Turkish market. With its two facilities in Antalya, it exports to domestic markets as well as to Europe, the Middle East, and CIS countries. Using Turkey's first soil fumigation technology in production, it ensures that seedlings are healthy and certified.

How Can You Tell a Certified Frigo Seedling?

The first thing you should look for when choosing frigo seedlings is whether the seedling is certified. With uncertified seedlings, the risk of virus and fungal diseases is high. Additionally, as the storage period lengthens, the seedling's energy reserves decrease; therefore, opting for frigo seedlings from the current season's production is decisive for yield.

Preparing frigo seedlings removed from storage for planting also requires special care. Taking the seedlings out of storage one day before planting and letting them rest in a shaded area reduces water loss from the roots. Keeping the roots moist during planting and leaving the crown at soil level directly affects the establishment rate. Mistakes made at this stage can undo the months of effort spent in storage.

What Are the Advantages of Frigo Seedlings?

Frigo seedlings are bare-root seedlings that are rested at a specific temperature after lifting and can be held until planting time. This holding period gives growers flexibility that frees them from calendar dependency. You decide when to plant—not the climate.

How Does Planting Time Flexibility Work?

Because frigo seedlings are kept in cold storage, you can build your planting schedule entirely around your own conditions. You can target periods when market prices are high, wait for the frost risk in your region to pass, or plan your labor force without seasonal pressure.

For example, while autumn planting is common in the Mediterranean Region, spring planting may be preferred in Central Anatolia. The same seedling adapts to both scenarios. You secure your seedlings early and determine planting according to your own schedule. This flexibility is a critical planning advantage, especially for large-scale operations. Consider this too: instead of putting all your seedlings in the field on the same day, you can create a staggered planting plan based on your region.

What Does Fast and Strong Establishment in the Field Mean?

When planted after its rest period, the frigo seedling focuses on root development. This means rapid establishment in the field followed by strong vegetative growth. In the first weeks after planting, the plant channels its energy into rooting.

With proper irrigation and soil preparation during this process, seedlings adapt to their new environment in a short time. A healthy root system also forms the foundation for fruit yield in the later stages. Especially when certified and healthy seedlings are used, this establishment rate is high. The hassle of replacing failed seedlings is largely eliminated. With certified seedlings from a supplier operating in this field since 1993, this rate is even more reassuring.

Why Does Long-Term Storage Matter?

Frigo seedlings can be stored for months under appropriate conditions. This allows you to secure your seedling supply in a timely manner. Instead of searching for seedlings when the planting season begins, you have seedlings ready and waiting in storage.

If you're planting large areas, you can procure all seedlings at once and proceed with planting in an organized manner. Maintaining seedling viability throughout the storage period depends on high production standards. That's why the supplier's cold storage capacity and process management are an indirect but decisive factor for you.

If you're working with a producer that pioneered Turkey's first soil fumigation technology, acquired Plantko Fidecilik in 2019, and inherited a 40% market share, the storage conditions of frigo seedlings will match that standard. Facilities exporting to Europe, the Middle East, and CIS countries implement special logistics processes to keep seedlings viable during long journeys.

There are a few points to consider when choosing frigo seedlings. First, ask about the time between the seedling's lifting date and planting date. Second, confirm the storage conditions and temperature monitoring system. Third, request certification documents. When you work with a supplier who gives clear answers to these three questions, you fully benefit from the advantages of frigo seedlings.

How Should Frigo Plants Be Stored?

The most critical point with frigo plants is keeping them under the right conditions after lifting. Even a small mistake after lifting directly affects the establishment rate in the field. So what are the right conditions? When proper storage conditions are provided, the plants remain dormant until planting time and preserve their energy. Two key parameters determine success in this process: temperature and humidity.

Storage temperature should be kept constant between -1 and -2°C. Every degree above this range causes the plants to wake up early. Temperatures below this range cause freezing damage to the roots. Temperature fluctuations inside the storage facility cause the plants to lose their sap and weaken shoot development. For this reason, the storage door should not be opened frequently, and when it is opened, it should be closed quickly.

Humidity levels are just as critical as temperature. Relative humidity inside the storage facility should be maintained at around 90-95%. Humidity levels below this range cause the roots to dry out and lose their vitality. High humidity, on the other hand, creates a favorable environment for fungal diseases. Therefore, humidity inside the storage should be measured regularly, and automatic humidification systems should be used if necessary.

The plants should be kept in breathable packaging. In plants kept in completely sealed plastic bags, carbon dioxide accumulates and anaerobic respiration begins. This leads to the plants developing an odor and rotting. Perforated polyethylene bags or specialized plant crates ensure air circulation while also preventing moisture loss.

Storage Duration Varies by Variety

Storage duration differs depending on the genetic characteristics of the variety. In general, frigo plants can be safely stored for 6-9 months. However, some short-day varieties may experience yield loss at the end of this period, while neutral-day varieties can last longer. For this reason, it is worth asking about the storage tolerance of the variety when purchasing plants.

The process of removing plants from storage is just as important as storage itself. Plants should be taken out of storage just before planting and transported to the field with their roots kept moist. The roots of plants left exposed begin to dry out within 15-20 minutes. This significantly reduces the establishment rate in the field. Plan your planting accordingly; set up a workflow that gets the plants from storage to the field as soon as they are removed.

Checking a few plants at random each week during the storage period helps catch potential problems early. The color of the cut root surface is the best indicator of vitality. White or cream-colored roots are considered healthy. A brown or black appearance indicates the onset of rot.

Keeping daily temperature records is the most practical way to monitor storage performance. Even a 1-2°C deviation during seasonal transitions noticeably affects plant quality. The records also allow you to see which periods posed risks for the next season.

What Should You Do If You Don't Have Storage Infrastructure?

For growers who cannot provide frigo plant storage conditions, the alternative is to choose fresh plants or plug plants. Fresh plants are planted in the field immediately after lifting and require no storage. Plug plants, on the other hand, have roots covered with soil, which allows for shock-free planting and a faster adaptation process.

If you don't have storage infrastructure, considering these options will reduce your risk. Especially if you are using frigo plants for the first time, doing a trial season with fresh or plug plants before setting up storage conditions will provide a safer start.

When Should Frigo Seedlings Be Planted?

The ideal time to plant frigo seedlings is when the soil temperature reaches the 10-12°C range. This threshold allows the roots to establish themselves in the soil without going into shock after leaving cold storage. In colder soil, root development stalls, the seedling becomes stressed, and the survival rate drops significantly. In warmer soil, the plant quickly shifts into vegetative growth; however, because the root system hasn't developed sufficiently, water and nutrient deficiencies occur in the following weeks.

Different climate zones across Türkiye reach this temperature threshold at different times of the year. In the Mediterranean climate regions around Antalya, Mersin, and Adana, soil temperatures drop to sufficient levels for planting in January-February. In temperate regions—such as the Aegean coast or the southern parts of Marmara—this timing shifts to March-April. In areas with harsh winters like Central Anatolia and Eastern Anatolia, planting may be delayed until late April, when the risk of frost has completely passed.

Is Fall Planting Suitable for Frigo Seedlings?

Yes, it is. Fall planting is a viable option for frigo seedlings as well. When planted in September-October while soil temperatures are still above 10°C, the plant develops its root system before winter sets in. This method is particularly advantageous for growers planning an early harvest the following year. However, with fall planting, knowing your region's first frost date is critical; young seedlings suffer serious damage at temperatures below -4°C.

Before determining the planting time, you need to have completed your soil preparation. Because frigo seedlings have been in cold storage for an extended period after being lifted, they are vulnerable to pathogens present in the soil. For this reason, pre-planting soil fumigation is one of the most important steps that directly affects success rates. Anka Çilek Fidesi, as the first operation in Türkiye to use soil fumigation technology, holds a pioneering position in this regard. Fumigation neutralizes nematodes, fungi, and weed seeds in the soil, significantly increasing the seedling's chances of survival during its first weeks.

What Time of Day Should You Plant?

Weather conditions on planting day are just as decisive as the calendar date. A windless, overcast, and humid day is ideal. When planting is done during peak sunlight hours, bare-root frigo seedlings lose water rapidly. Early morning or late afternoon are the best time windows for bringing the roots into contact with the soil. Watering immediately after planting ensures root-to-soil contact and accelerates the establishment process.

Don't blindly follow a general calendar without observing your region's specific microclimate. Place a soil thermometer at the edge of your field and take readings in the morning for a week. If soil temperature stays above 10°C for three consecutive days, it's time to plant. This simple measurement is a far more reliable guide than any calendar.

How Do You Determine a Planting Schedule Based on Soil Temperature?

Along with soil temperature, soil moisture content should also be taken into account when planting frigo seedlings. Planting in overly wet soil leaves the roots without oxygen and increases the risk of rot. In very dry soil, on the other hand, root establishment is delayed. If you squeeze a handful of soil and it crumbles when released, moisture levels are suitable for planting. If the soil stays in a clump, wait a few days and check again.

Planting depth also varies depending on your seedling type. For bare-root frigo seedlings, the crown should remain at soil level. Seedlings planted too deep experience stem rot; those left too high dry out at the roots. For plug seedlings, place them so the top edge of the plug is level with the soil surface. Field experience at Anka Çilek Fidesi, which has been producing seedlings since 1993, shows that even a 2-3 centimeter difference in planting depth significantly affects survival rates.

What Are the Differences Between Frigo Seedlings and Fresh Seedlings?

Frigo seedlings are bare-root plants that are kept in cold storage at sub-zero temperatures after being lifted. Fresh seedlings, on the other hand, are plants with a living root system that must be placed in the soil within a few days at most after lifting. The choice between these two products depends on your operation's planting schedule and the harvest period you are targeting. A wrong choice can make a full season's difference in yield.

In Which Situations Does Frigo Seedling Offer an Advantage?

The most obvious advantage of frigo seedlings is that you set the planting schedule yourself. If you want the plants lifted in October and planted in March, the seedlings will stay healthy in storage. This makes labor planning easier and means you don't have to buy seedlings before field preparation is complete. This flexibility is especially critical for growers with multiple plots who plant in stages.

Anka Çilek Fidesi, which has been producing seedlings since 1993 and took over Plantko Fidecilik in 2019, exports frigo seedlings to three continents. In shipments to Europe, the Middle East, and CIS countries, the seedlings can be transported for weeks in climate-controlled vehicles. If you have long-distance logistics in place, frigo seedlings stand out for their durability throughout the process.

Why Does Fresh Seedling Deliver Early Development?

Fresh seedlings are a product that needs to go into the field immediately after lifting. As the time between lifting and planting increases, the establishment rate drops. However, when planted at the right time, vegetative development begins much earlier because the root system is already active. The first leaves emerge sooner, and the plant establishes in the field in a shorter time.

If there are only a few hours between your lifting site and your planting field, fresh seedlings save you serious time. Operations targeting early harvest can enter the market at the start of the season with this product. As long as you can keep transport time short, fresh seedlings stand out for their shock-free transition.

Which Seedling Type Should I Choose?

When deciding, ask yourself this question: Do I want to set my own planting date, or will I work around the lifting season? Large-scale, well-planned producers generally lean toward frigo seedlings, while operations aiming for early harvest and able to keep logistics short prefer fresh seedlings.

There is also a third option: tray seedlings. Rooted in cells or trays, this product allows for shock-free planting and offers a high establishment rate. For growers caught between fresh and frigo seedlings, it is the alternative that minimizes the adaptation period. Family-run operations that want to avoid losses after planting can make a safer start with tray seedlings.

As long as all three products meet certified and healthy seedling production standards, the real factor determining success is your own production plan. Once you clarify the size of your operation, the layout of your planting areas, and your target market, you can decide on the right seedling type.

What to Consider When Planting Frigo Strawberry Plants

The moment of planting determines the fate of a frigo strawberry plant. After spending months in cold storage, the more carefully the plant is handled in its first minutes in the soil, the higher the yield it will produce at the end of the season. The most common mistake is estimating the planting depth by eye. The crown—the point where the roots meet the stem—should sit at soil level. If you bury the plant 2-3 centimeters deeper, you risk crown rot; if you leave it above the soil, the roots dry out and the establishment rate drops. Both scenarios mean gaps in your field.

When Should You Water Newly Planted Frigo Plants?

Watering immediately after planting is an undisputed rule. This first irrigation ensures the roots make contact with the soil and wakes the plant without shocking it. For the first week following this initial watering, you should irrigate regularly; especially during the first 3-4 days after planting, check soil moisture every day. If you plant in the Mediterranean Region in late March and skip watering every other day during the first week, the leaves of the frigo plant will begin to wilt within 48 hours. While you should adjust the amount of water based on your climate and soil type, make sure the soil surface never dries out during that first week.

How Should Row Spacing Be Determined?

The distance between plants varies according to the growth habit of the variety. Short-day and day-neutral varieties require different row spacings. Although dense planting may seem like it will produce a higher yield in the first year, when plants grow into each other, air circulation decreases. Where airflow is reduced, leaf moisture lingers longer, creating an ideal environment for fungal diseases, especially gray mold. That's why knowing the spreading habit of the variety is much safer than guessing when determining in-row spacing.

Just as important as planting depth is the direction in which you place the frigo plant. Position the roots so they hang downward; plants with roots bent upward lose significant energy during establishment. You won't face this problem with plug plants because the roots are protected inside the plug. But since frigo roots are exposed, you need to handle them gently during planting and avoid breaking the tips.

What Time of Day Should You Plant?

Plan the time of day for planting as well. Frigo plants set in the midday heat lose water before their roots even meet the soil. Early morning or late afternoon, when the sun has lost its intensity, are the best choices. Observe the plants for the first 10 days after planting; when you see new leaf growth, establishment has been successful. From that point on, you can reduce watering frequency and rebuild the schedule based on the plant's needs. A grower who manages this process well focuses on harvest at the end of the season instead of worrying about filling gaps.

How Does Frigo Planting Affect Yield?

When stored properly and planted on time, frigo plants achieve a high establishment rate. This increase in establishment directly boosts the amount of fruit produced per plant. Every empty square meter turns into significant lost income at the end of the season; the strong root structure of frigo plants eliminates this risk.

Why Is Planting Time So Critical?

One of the most critical factors affecting yield is the planting schedule. Because frigo plants are kept in cold storage, the grower controls the planting date. This flexibility allows you to plant early and harvest early. The grower who gets the first crop to market sells at prices above the seasonal average. The price difference between strawberries harvested in early June and those harvested in mid-July often covers the entire production cost.

However, planting time alone doesn't determine yield. Variety selection and care conditions are just as decisive as storage conditions in unlocking the potential of a frigo plant. Whether you choose short-day or day-neutral varieties should align with your region's climate and your target harvest window. Using certified plants minimizes disease risk; plants free of viruses and fungi reduce chemical control costs while allowing the plant to channel its energy into fruit production.

How Does Soil Temperature Affect Yield?

Yield gains with frigo plants begin with planting at the right time and under the right conditions. When soil temperature drops below 10°C, root development slows; so consider your region's microclimate when setting your planting date. After removing the plants from storage, you need to get them into the soil within 24 hours at the latest; every hour of delay lowers the establishment rate and negatively affects yield.

The irrigation schedule is also decisive for yield. Keeping the soil moist for the first 15 days after planting accelerates root establishment. Plants that dry out during this period cause irreversible losses. With regular care, the right variety, and healthy plants, the frigo system delivers a steady yield curve throughout the season.

What Is the Difference Between Frigo Plants and Fresh Plants?

Frigo plants are bare-root plants that are lifted and stored in cold rooms; you control the planting date. Fresh plants, on the other hand, are bare-root plants that go straight into the field immediately after lifting; they are ideal for early, vigorous vegetative growth. The choice between these two systems depends on the size of your operation and your target harvest calendar. Plug plants, rooted in trays, offer a shock-free planting option with high establishment rates and rapid adaptation.

Operating since 1993, Anka Çilek Fidesi produces certified, healthy strawberry plants using Turkey's first soil fumigation technology. After acquiring Plantko Fidecilik in 2019, the company reached a 40% market inheritance and exports to Europe, the Middle East, and CIS countries. Using certified plants minimizes disease risk with virus- and fungus-free stock; this reduces chemical control costs while enabling the plant to channel its energy into fruit production.

What Should You Consider When Sourcing Frigo Seedlings?

When purchasing frigo seedlings, production infrastructure and certification should come first—not price or promises of early delivery. A bare-root seedling comes under stress the moment it leaves the soil. A seedling bought from a producer that lacks the technical capacity to manage this stress may struggle to recover in the field during the first few weeks. So make it clear whether your supplier is just an intermediary selling seedlings or a company that controls every stage of production.

Why is buying from a certified seedling producer so critical?

Certification is the guarantee that you're getting healthy plant material that has passed virus and bacteria testing. Whatever you save by buying an uncertified product will be paid back many times over through virus-related yield losses down the line. Established producers like Anka Çilek Fidesi document their certified production process transparently and share those documents when you ask for them.

A supplier's experience and export track record are also indicators of reliability. A company that has been in the sector for years has developed practical solutions to climate variability and logistical challenges. Anka Çilek Fidesi has been operating since 1993, strengthened its legacy in the sector by acquiring Plantko Fidecilik in 2019, and today exports to three continents. A company that passes Europe's strict plant health inspections offers domestic customers the same standards.

When should you place your seedling order?

Place your seedling order at least 1–2 months before planting time. This lead time allows the producer to lift enough seedlings for you and have them ready in cold storage. With last-minute orders, seedlings are either lifted from the field too early or not kept in storage long enough—both reduce survival rates.

Keep the following points in mind when choosing a supplier:

• Ask about the time between the seedling lifting date and the delivery date. Frigo seedlings kept in storage for too long begin to lose viability.
• Does the company offer technical support after planting? This support is especially critical if you're using frigo seedlings for the first time.
• Get in touch with reference growers. Hear about seedling performance in the field from farmers who have actually used them, not from a sales representative.
• Together with the company's agricultural engineer, assess whether the seedling variety suits your region and planting schedule. Short-day and day-neutral varieties have different requirements.

Think of frigo seedling sourcing not as a purchase but as a seasonal partnership. The right supplier gives you more than just seedlings—they also offer a planting schedule, irrigation plan, and fertilization recommendations. This holistic approach significantly reduces the cost of small mistakes made in the first year.

What does Türkiye's first soil fumigation technology mean?

Soil-borne diseases are one of the biggest causes of yield loss in strawberry production. The soil fumigation technology that Anka Çilek Fidesi introduced for the first time in Türkiye eliminates pathogens from the soil where the seedlings are grown. This gives the seedlings a clean start when they reach the field. The second facility opened in Antalya in 2022 has further expanded the capacity of this technology. Investments like this in production infrastructure are a sign that the supplier is thinking long-term.

Should you choose frigo seedlings, fresh seedlings, or plug seedlings?

The choice depends on your planting schedule and field conditions. Frigo seedlings are kept in cold storage, so you decide when to plant them; they establish quickly and strongly in the field. Fresh seedlings go straight to the field right after lifting and provide early, vigorous vegetative growth. Plug seedlings, on the other hand, are rooted in trays, so they offer transplanting without shock—with the advantage of high survival rates and rapid adaptation. In all three options, the supplier's cold storage capacity, the time from lifting to planting, and logistical planning are decisive factors.

Choose the Right Supplier for Frigo Seedlings

Purchasing seedlings is one of the most critical decisions of the season. Frigo seedlings sourced from the wrong supplier can mean months of hard work yield no results. That's why, when choosing a supplier, you need to look beyond just price—consider certification status, production infrastructure, and logistics planning.

Seedling prices vary significantly depending on the variety, order quantity, delivery distance, and seasonal demand. Therefore, the healthiest approach is to request quotes after clarifying the varieties, quantities, and delivery schedule you need. Rather than deciding based on a single price list, requesting a tailored quote that fits your own production plan gives you an advantage in cost control. Product quality is also directly affected throughout this process.

What Criteria Matter When Choosing a Frigo Seedling Supplier?

Working with a supplier that engages in certified production minimizes the risk of viruses and diseases. Production infrastructure covers the entire process from soil preparation to seedling lifting. Logistics planning, on the other hand, determines whether the seedlings remain viable by the time they reach your field.

Operating in the sector since 1993, Anka Çilek Fidesi acquired Plantko Fidecilik in 2019 and now represents a significant share of Türkiye's strawberry seedling market. As the first operation in Türkiye to use soil fumigation technology, the company serves Türkiye, Europe, the Middle East, and CIS countries with certified, healthy seedling production. Exports to three continents demonstrate that the company's logistics network and seedling quality have been tested at an international level.

What Should You Consider When Choosing a Seedling Supplier?

Learning about the supplier's production schedule and stock status in advance prevents disappointment during peak season. Operations that work with contracted production guarantee the quantity you need by tying it to a specific timeline. Additionally, the shorter the time between seedling lifting and planting, the better the establishment rate.

Working with the right supplier to meet your seedling needs directly affects your season's yield. For detailed information and a customized quote, you can reach us at +90 539 827 3999 or [email protected]. Our team will guide you on the varieties and quantities best suited to your production plan.

Comparison in Frigo Seedling Supplier Selection

When making your seedling purchasing decision, don't focus on price alone. Long-term productivity comes from choosing the right supplier. Once you've clarified your supplier's production process, certification status, and logistics planning, then place your order. This approach directly boosts the yield you'll achieve at the end of the season.