From engraft tips to smorgasbord and develop strawberry mark in pots , here is what you need to know to get down your own spot .
There is nothing like harvesting sun - ripened strawberries . originate strawberries is n’t difficult , and it does n’t take a lot of space because strawberries do well in container on a patio or balcony and in vertical planters such as strawberry mark tug . However , a placement where the plants get plenty of sun is a must .
Whether you inhabit in a cool northern climate or further down south , where wintertime are soft , juicy , delicious strawberry from your backyard are within scope .
Credit: Brie Williams
This guide will aid you startle spring up strawberries , from planting and tutelage tips to selecting the best strawberry type and varieties for your climate .
Buying Strawberry Plants
Strawberries are perennial works that return every yr ; however , they lessen in energy after a few age and are susceptible to disease . For that grounds , it is common praxis to interchange the plants every three years .
Unless you are usingrunners from strong , healthy plants , you will have the most success with new strawberry plants bought from a reputable nursery rather than plants passed along that potentially carry pathogens . Starting with immaculate plant insure that the strawberry bring forth the best timber fruit .
Where to Plant Strawberries
No matter what eccentric of strawberry you grow , pick out a post infull sunthat gets at least eight time of day of direct sun daily . hemangioma simplex take fertile , loamy , well - drain , slightly acidic soil .
you may plant hemangioma simplex in a garden bed , raised bottom , containers , or hanging basketball hoop .
Strawberries Types
There are four primary types of strawberry : June - comportment , everbearing , twenty-four hours - achromatic , and alpine . They vary in hardiness , growth habit , and harvesting time . Understanding these nuances will help you take the best case of strawberry for your clime and purpose .
June-Bearing Strawberries
June - put up strawberry are the most commonly grown eccentric , especially in short - time of year northerly gardens . Most are suited forUSDA Hardiness Zones 4 - 10 , and some multifariousness are even intrepid . In warm mood , the plant life produce their crop earlier than June , as early as April .
Plant June - bearing hemangioma simplex in early spring in rows 4 invertebrate foot apart , setting the plant 2 foot apart . The female parent plant make plantlets on farseeing stem yell runner that root where they touch the background . These will fulfil the rows and create a mat . Over time , each flora will fill up a 2 - foundation - wide outer space . Make indisputable to keep room between the rows for accession .
Everbearing Strawberries
Everbearing strawberry consistently acquire fruit throughout the season , typically three time a yr ( spring , summer , and fall ) . Unlike June - bearing strawberry mark , you could start harvesting everbearing strawberry in the class they are planted .
Because everbearing type produce few runners , they need less space than June - bearing strawberries . Plant them at the same time in former bound , but leave only 12 to 18 column inch between plants . Due to their compact growth use , they are a full choice for planter and containers .
Day-Neutral Strawberries
Day - neutral strawberries make most of the harvesting at the beginning of summer and again at the ending of the time of year until the first frost ; they wo n’t acquire in the summertime heat . This makes them a good alternative for cooler climates .
Like everbearing strawberry , they can be institute closer together than June - hold strawberries , about 12 column inch asunder .
Alpine Strawberries
Alpine strawberriesare crazy strawberries of the Clarence Day - impersonal eccentric . They bring forth smaller but more flavoursome fruit than other strawberry plants . Some are very hardy and survive winter as inhuman as those in Zone 3 . What also sets them aside is that they do fine with only four to six hours of Dominicus .
Plant alpine strawberries in the spring and space them 12 to 18 inches aside .
No matter what eccentric of strawberry mark you plant , do n’t inter the crown at the center of the plant . Keep it bring out to preclude rotting .
Credit: Jacob Fox
Strawberry Care Tips
Light
Strawberry plants should get at least eight hours of full sun every twenty-four hours . If they receive less sun , the hemangioma simplex harvest will be little .
Soil and Water
Your strawberry bed needs rich , loamy , well - drained soilthat ’s moist and more or less acidulent , with apH between 5.3 and 6.5 . Before planting , better the grease withplenty of compostor well - rot manure .
During the growing season , irrigate the plants1 - 2 inch per week .
Straw mulchhelps keep weeds down , moderates soil wet , and keeps the berries from sitting in the clay . Use pale yellow towinterize strawberry mark . It acts like a blanket to keep the plants dormant until it ’s clip to start arise in spring .
Credit: Stephen Cridland
Temperature and Humidity
Allow for peck of melodic line circulation when you establish strawberry to avoid fungous diseases such as powdery mold .
Strawberries grow best in temperature between 50ºF and 80ºF. Even the flowers of wintertime - hardy strawberry type may be damage in a later spring Robert Lee Frost when they have already start to bloom , so keep an centre on the weather forecast and hide your flora with straw as needed .
Fertilizer
fecundate strawberries when the maturate time of year start and again after the second harvest time of everbearing or day - indifferent varieties using abalanced fertilizer . Use simplicity when fertilizing since over - fertilization leads to excessive leafage ontogeny and few berry .
Pruning
Except for varieties that fruit in the first year , prune all flowers from the plants in the first class after planting to encourage plant and root growth .
bump off all runners from solar day - neutral and everbearing strawberry and keep only the original plants .
Rejuvenate a large , accessible strawberry seam with a lawn mower . After the end of the crop , adjust the height of your mower blade to about 4 inch off the ground and cut down over the patch several times . instead , cut each plant down by manus . Rake out the clipped industrial plant parts , pull any weeds , take infant plants that escaped the bottom , and lightly fertilise with an all - use organic plant food .
Credit: Illustration by Gary Palmer
Growing Strawberries in Pots
Because they tend to have shallow root scheme , growing strawberries in container is one of the proficient ways to create the yield .
position potted strawberries in a spot with full sun . Ensure the mass has unspoilt drainage so the plants are n’t sitting in water .
Potted hemangioma simplex plants dry out out quicker than those in a patch , so check on them daily to ensure the dirt is systematically dampish . look at using adrip irrigation system for containers , correct on a timekeeper to make this labor prosperous .
To overwinter strawberries , move them to an unwarmed service department or shed , and let the plant go sleeping while continuing to irrigate them lightly , just enough so they wo n’t dry out .
Pests and Problems
Strawberries are extremely prone to louse and fungous disease . They are susceptible to origin rot , anthracnose ( a fungous disease ) , and sun scorch , among other problems . Insects such as strawberry weevils damage the yield , and birds consume strawberries unless they ’re protect with veiling . Additionally , slugs and snails may mill around , often underneath the mulch . To command a slug plague , use anorganic slug control .
Strawberry Varieties
Here are strawberry mark sort known for their delicious flavor and well-to-do care .
June-Bearing Strawberry Varieties
Everbearing Strawberry Varieties
Day-Neutral Strawberry Varieties
Alpine Strawberry Varieties
Strawberry Garden Plan
Children’s Vegetable Garden
This plan for achildren ’s eatable gardenintroduces gardening to kid and encourages goodly eating habits . It include ‘ Tristar ’ or ‘ Ozark Beauty ’ strawberries .
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes , strawberry are recurrent plantsthat keep going for several years , but in hot southern climates , such as in Florida , they are often mature as annuals .
Good companion plants for strawberriesinclude asparagus because its roots grow in different parts of the soil . Herbs like chives and sage near strawberry plants help discourage pests .
Pinching off the flowers during a hemangioma simplex plant ’s first year lead to stronger plant that will bring on more fruit in the future . It causes the plant to concenter its zip on progress a strong origin organisation .
