Enjoy these flavorful berries from your own garden, all summer long.
Alpine strawberries(Fragaria vesca)also called wild or woodland strawberriesare big bursts of flavor in tiny packages.
Best of all, theyre easy to grow in a suitable site.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
They need a location with rich, well-draining soil.
Before planting, add compost and a slow-release organic fertilizer to the soil.
Space the plants 12 to 18 inches apart.
Credit:Rob Cardillo
Where summers are very hot, full sun may scorch the leaves, which detracts from the plants appearance.
The plants common name, woodland strawberry, is a clue to the plants tolerance of some shade.
In the wild, they are frequently found at the edge of woodlands.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Soil and Water
The best soil for alpine strawberries iswell-drainingand rich in organic matter.
They grow best in slightly acidic soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7.0.
Protect their shallow roots and reduce moisture losswith an organic mulch.
Credit: Bob Stefko
Because their roots are shallow, they need water frequently.
Fruit production slows when temperatures are extremely high.
They thrive where humidity remains moderately high most of the time and appreciate some protection from drying winds.
Fertilizer
Given their lengthy fruiting season, its no surprise that alpine strawberries are heavy feeders.
Incorporate compost and a slow-release organic fertilizer into the soil when planting.
For established plants,fertilize every spring with compostor a balanced granular fertilizer.
Once plants appear to be thriving, allow the fruit to mature.
Remove damaged or dead leaves to keep your alpine strawberry plants looking tidy.
When potting, spread the plants roots out and ensure the crown remains above the soil.
Repot annually with fresh potting soil.
Among themost common pestsare aphids, spider mites, and slugs.
Aphids and spider mites suck plant sap, turning leaves yellow or bleached-looking.
Many diseases are spread by water.
Harvest fruit regularly to prevent it from rotting.
If a plant becomes diseased, remove it before the problem spreads.
Berries sometimes appear deformed, but this is not a disease.
Rather, it is a problem of incomplete pollination.
It takes quite a few visits from bees to thoroughly pollinate a strawberry flower.
If you get an early start, plants grown from seed should fruit their first year.
Sow the seed indoorsunder grow lightsin late winter.
If you have mature alpine strawberries, you might increase andinvigorate your planting by dividing themin early spring.
Replant these small divisions and discard the tired center.
Excellent for growing in containers.
Alexandria
Alexandria alpine strawberry is a very productive variety that bears deep red fruit.
It may occasionally produce a few runners.
Pineapple Crush
Fragaria vescaPineapple Crushproduces creamy yellow fruit with a hint of pineapple flavor.
It is a heavy producer for an alpine strawberry.
Yellow Wonder
The fruit of Yellow Wonder alpine strawberry is yellow, sweet, and aromatic.
It produces deep blue, star-shaped flowers and soft gray-green foliage.
Thyme
Thymedeters pests with its strong aroma.
Some types are upright while others are trailing.
Its flowers also attract honeybees.
Yarrow
Yarrow is an easy-to-grow perennial with a long blooming season.
It attracts pollinators, which help boost alpine strawberry yields, and repels some pests.
Its flat-topped flower clusters may be orange, pink, red, white, or yellow.
Pick red varieties when they turn deep red and begin to soften.
When white or yellow varieties are ready, the berries start to soften and are extremely aromatic.
When they are fully ripe, the berries are easy to pull off the plant.
Check for ripe berries at least every other day.
A patch of alpine strawberries may become less productive after three to five years.
They can be rejuvenated by dividing mature plants in early spring.
