There is nothing like harvesting sun-ripened strawberries.
However, a location where the plants get plenty of sun is a must.
For that reason, it is common practice to replace the plants every three years.
Credit: Brie Williams
Starting with impeccable plants ensures that the strawberries produce the best quality fruit.
Strawberries require rich, loamy, well-drained, slightly acidic soil.
you could plant strawberries in a garden bed, raised bed, containers, or hanging baskets.
Credit: Jacob Fox
They vary in hardiness, growth habit, and harvest time.
Understanding these nuances will help you choose the best pop in of strawberry for your climate and purpose.
June-Bearing Strawberries
June-bearing strawberries are the most commonly grown bang out, especially in short-season northern gardens.
Credit: Stephen Cridland
Most are suitable forUSDA Hardiness Zones 4-10, and some varieties are even hardier.
In warm climates, the plants produce their crop earlier than June, as early as April.
Plant June-bearing strawberries in early spring in rows 4 feet apart, setting the plants 2 feet apart.
Credit: Illustration by Gary Palmer
The mother plants make plantlets on long stems called runners that root where they touch the ground.
These will fill the rows and create a mat.
Over time, each plant will fill a 2-foot-wide space.
verify to keep room between the rows for access.
Unlike June-bearing strawberries, you’re able to begin harvesting everbearing strawberries in the year they are planted.
Because everbearing types produce few runners, they need less space than June-bearing strawberries.
Plant them at the same time in early spring, but leave only 12 to 18 inches between plants.
Due to their compact growth habit, they are a good choice for planters and containers.
This makes them a good choice for cooler climates.
Like everbearing strawberries, they can be planted closer together than June-bearing strawberries, about 12 inches apart.
Alpine Strawberries
Alpine strawberriesare wild strawberries of the day-neutral jot down.
They produce smaller but more flavorful fruits than other strawberry plants.
Some are very hardy and survive winters as cold as those in Zone 3.
What also sets them apart is that they do fine with only four to six hours of sun.
Plant alpine strawberries in the spring and space them 12 to 18 inches apart.
Keep it exposed to prevent rotting.
If they receive less sun, the strawberry harvest will be smaller.
Before planting, amend the soil withplenty of compostor well-rotted manure.
During the growing season,water the plants1-2 inches per week.
Straw mulchhelps keep weeds down, moderates soil moisture, and keeps the berries from sitting in the mud.
Use straw towinterize strawberries.
It acts like a blanket to keep the plants dormant until its time to start growing in spring.
Strawberries grow best in temperatures between 50oF and 80oF.
Use restraint when fertilizing since over-fertilization leads to excessive leaf growth and fewer berries.
Remove all runners from day-neutral and everbearing strawberries and keep only the original plants.
Rejuvenate a large, accessible strawberry bed with a lawn mower.
Alternatively, cut each plant down by hand.
Place potted strawberries in a spot with full sun.
Ensure the pot has good drainage so the plants arent sitting in water.
Consider using adrip irrigation system for containers, set on a timer to make this task easier.
Pests and Problems
Strawberries are highly prone to insects and fungal diseases.
Insects such as strawberry weevils damage the fruit, and birds devour strawberries unless theyre protected with netting.
Additionally, slugs and snails may lurk, often underneath the mulch.
To control a slug infestation, use anorganic slug control.
Strawberry Varieties
Here are strawberry varieties known for their delicious flavor and easy care.
It includes Tristar or Ozark Beauty strawberries.
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 deter pests.
It causes the plant to focus its energy on building a strong root system.
