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Berried Treasure ® Red strawberry . picture by Proven Winners .
Strawberries are one of the most popular fruit among home gardeners , and for expert reason . One of the easy fruits to raise , they also pack a nutritionary lick — high in vitamin nose candy , fiber , and antioxidant . Though fresh strawberries are uncommitted in grocery store stores in spring and summertime , there ’s nothing like corrode freshly picked strawberry mark mighty out of your own garden .
These compact plants can be grown in beds , containers , and cling baskets . Even gardeners with limited space can bestow these tasty fruits to their yard , terrace , orapartment balcony .
On this page : Basics|Planting|Care|Varieties|How to Choose the Right Strawberry Plant
On this page :
BASICS
Botanical name:
genus Fragaria
Zones:
3 to 10 , depending on variety ; winter mulching is recommended in zones 3 and 4 .
Height/Spread:
Low mounding , bushy , vining habit , 6 to 16 in grandiloquent and 12 to 24 column inch wide ; stolon can extend to 40 inch long .
Exposure:
Full sunshine
Bloom time:
Spring to fall
Color and characteristics:
The leaves are three - lob , green , with toothed edges . minor flower are usually blank , though sometimes red or pinkish , with sensationalistic pistils and stamen . Berry are most often cherry-red , but also come in color of orange - red , chicken , or white . Fruit is sweet and flavorous .
Plant lifespan:
Depends on the miscellany ; with proper care , most strawberry mark grow for 3 to 4 years . unexampled industrial plant are produced through vining runners .
Toxicity:
All parts of the hemangioma simplex plant are safe for pets . If your deary savour the taste of the yield , limit aspiration so they do n’t have too much sugar .
Types:
Learn more about the differenttypes of strawberries .
How long does it take strawberries to grow?
An existing plant that is come out of sleeping take about 2 month to reach its full growing . Plants grown from semen take about 6 month . dissimilar eccentric of strawberry plants will produce yield at varying separation from engraft — some as early on as June , others throughout the summertime into early fall ( see the character above ) . In warmer climates , industrial plant should start bloom in former spring . Once the flowers are fertilized by pollinators , berries should mature in about 30 daylight .
HOW TO PLANT STRAWBERRIES
strawberry can be grow in call down beds , garden beds , or orotund plots . They can also be grown in hang baskets , container , windowpane boxwood , and strawberry jackpot . strawberry mark can be raise fromstarter plants , bare root , or semen .
au naturel root strawberry plants . photograph good manners Johnny ’s Selected Seeds .
When to plant strawberries:
industrial plant in spring ( around mid - April to mid - May ) . expect for the soil to be dry out enough to work and air temperature to be above 40 stage F.
Where to plant strawberries:
Choose a sunny site with prolific , well - draining soil that will rest evenly moist . Do n’t grow strawberries in beds wheretomatoes , peppers , orpotatoeshave recently been grown — the soil can harbor pathogen which can harm new plants .
Planting in beds:
Loosen soil to a profundity of 12 inch and tot up plenty of organic matter to the planting site . Dig a hole large enough not to crouch the ascendent and place plant life so the midpoint of the crown is at soil level . distribute tooth root out more or less and mildly fill in the hole with soil ; H2O well . Mulch plants with fresh husk to keep yield off the ground ; this will help prevent rot andslug damage , and keep strawberry mark layer weed free . Strawberry supportscan also be used to keep berries of the ground and keep rot .
Growing strawberries in containers:
Use a mellow - quality potting mix and embed the same as for bed . tidy sum postulate skilful drainage . plant should be spaced 10 to 12 inches apart . These will involve more water and fertilizing than flora in the primer . Strawberries can be plant in traditional pots orvertical or stacked plantation owner .
Growing strawberries indoors:
Strawberries can be rise indoors , but this is only recommend for experienced gardener . Plants will necessitate artificial firing and hand - pollination for successful berry production .
Growing strawberries hydroponically:
Experienced gardener may want to prove growing strawberries hydroponically , where flora are grown in alimentary - rich water rather than soil . This method can be used indoors , allowing for year - rung fruit production .
Strawberry companion plants:
unspoilt companion plants let in borage , caraway , and bush beans . Do n’t plant strawberry near vegetables in the lolly family such as Brassica oleracea italica , cauliflower , or kail , as increase can be stunted .
For those with limited space , growing solutions can be attractive as well as functional . Get originative and make vertical hanging planters from galvanized duct tube as seen in this telecasting from Garden Answer .
STRAWBERRY PLANT CARE
Soil:
Strawberries prefer rich grime that is well amended with compost or other constitutional matter . Soil should be slightly acidulent with a pH between 5.5 and 6.8 ( 6.2 is ideal ) . Clay soil with pitiful drainage can cause root rot .
Amendments & fertilizer:
A few calendar week after planting , apply a10 - 10 - 10 fertilizeraccording to box instructions . For set up June - hold plants , fecundate after harvesting is perfect . Day - electroneutral and everbearing types can be fertilized after the second berry crop , but no later than September .
Watering:
strawberry have shallow roots around 6 inches deep , so it ’s all-important to irrigate on a regular basis , particularly during yield developing to promote bigger , juicier berry . plant need about 1 to 1 - 1/2 inch of water per week .
Pruning:
Strawberries produce runners , which are thin vining branches that rise from the crown . Remove stolon in the first twelvemonth to put energy back into the plants . Allow runner to grow and develop new plants in the 2nd or third twelvemonth so they can replace old , non - producing plants .
Thinning and rejuvenation:
Beginning in the second class , cut or pout June - bear eccentric 2 to 4 inches above the ground immediately after harvest , then fertilize to kick upstairs unexampled growth . Thin to allow 4 to 6 inches between plants . For all type , allow runners to establish new plants in the 2nd or third year and polish off older unproductive industrial plant .
Harvesting:
harvest home yield when they are amply emblazon and steady ; do n’t allow to become overripe , as fruit will become mushy or musty . utilise soon after harvest home or remove the leaf nitty-gritty and freeze for late consumption .
Diseases and pests:
Diseases include fruit rot , mold , leaf spot , leaf blight , verticillium wilt disease , botrytis , anthracnose , powdery mildew , and root guff . Pests include slugs , snails , wanderer soupcon , cut worms , aphids , whitefly , weevil , orgrubs .
Deer resistance:
All parts of the strawberry plant life are attractive to deer . Protect plants as necessary and ensure to wash berry well if your plants have been graze , as cervid can transmitE. coliand other disease .
STRAWBERRY VARIETIES
photograph by : Proven Winners .
Berried Treasure ® Pink — Buy plants and seeds from Proven WinnersFragaria×ananassa
Type : EverbearingZones:4 - 9Height / Spread:12 to 16 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wideBloom & yield time : Late springiness through fallColor : Red flowers , ruddy berry
Attractive , semi - double pinkish flowers . Grow in an ornamental comestible plot , container , raised bottom , or as edging . Runners can be snip back or allow to straggle .
Photo by : ButtermilkgirlVirginia / Shutterstock
‘ Allstar’Fragaria×ananassa
Type : June bearingZones:4 - 8Height / Spread:8 to 10 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wideBloom & yield time : Late spring , mid - seasonColor : White flush , red berries
Frost and oestrus insubordinate , grow well in most areas . Large , juicy yield has a sweet , mild flavour . first-class resistance to fungal disease .
Photo courtesy Burpee
‘ Earliglow ’
Type : June bearingZones:4 - 8Height / Spread:8 to 10 column inch tall and 8 to 12 in wideBloom & fruit time : Late springColor : White blossom , red berries
produce vigorous plants with lashings of runners . The large firm berry have excellent sweet-flavored smell . Disease - resistant and inhuman - tolerant plants .
picture by : Brendan Delaney / Shutterstock
‘ Honeoye’Fragaria×ananassa
case : June bearingZones:3 - 8Height / Spread:8 to 10 inch tall and 8 to 18 column inch wideBloom Time : previous springColor : White efflorescence , red berries
Exceptional winter hardiness , growing well in the northeasterly and upper midwest . Plants are vigorous and disease - immune , producing high yields of large , firm , sweet - savour Chuck Berry . One of the in force variety for freezing .
Photo by : Kassia Marie Ott / Shutterstock
‘ Alexandria’Fragaria vesca
Type : AlpineZones:5 - 8Height / Spread:8 - 10 column inch tall and 14 - 18 inch wideBloom & yield fourth dimension : Late spring through fallColor : White flowers , cherry Chuck Berry
bring on an abundant crop of thumbnail - sized fruit with special flavor . Plants produce in their first year , with harvest home lasting into fall during the following year . Compact offset - less growth makes it a unspoiled choice for containers , raised bed , window box , or indoor horticulture .
‘ Tristan ’
Type : EverbearingZones:4 - 8Height / Spread:8 to 12 column inch tall and 14 to 24 inch wideBloom fourth dimension : previous spring through fallColor : Rose - pink efflorescence , crimson berries
A unique combination of deep red Chuck Berry and pink wine - pink bloom makes this everbearing variety as attractive as the berry are tasty . The compact runner - less plants look capital in containers or small kitchen plots , producing an abundant harvest of elongate sweet fruit throughout the summertime .
Photo by : Anya Douglas / Shutterstock
‘ Eversweet’Fragaria×ananassa
character : Day - neutralZones:4 - 9Height / Spread:8 to 16 inches tall and 12 to 18 inch wideBloom Time : tardy bound through fallColor : snowy flowers , cherry-red berries
Produces berries in heat up to 100 degrees F , with a big crop in early summertime and small crops into fall . Large , dulcet fruit can be eaten fresh or frozen .
photograph by : luis abrantes / Shutterstock
‘ Pineberry’Fragariaxananassa
case : EverbearingZones:5 - 8Height / Spread:8 to 12 inches tall and 10 to 18 inches wideBloom fourth dimension : Late spring through fallColor : blank flowers , bloodless berries with ruby seeds
bring on white fruits that smell out and taste like Ananas comosus , complete for gourmet cooking , salads , or snacking . Not to be disconcert with white alpine strawberry , which looks similar .
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT STRAWBERRY PLANT
Berried Treasure ® Pink . pic by : Proven Winners .
For edible plots and raised beds:
Garden and alpine type are most suitable .
For slopes and hillsides:
Alpine and cosmetic hemangioma simplex make first-class ground cover and avail to stem erosion . Make trusted to go forth areas where you may step if you project on harvest the berries .
For containers:
Alpine and other smaller variety are good , though any form can be grown in containers if give decent space and nutrients . Because piddle and fertilizer can leach out quick , plants will ask more frequent aid .
For trellises:
variety with foresightful runner such as ‘ Mt. Everest ’ and ‘ sensible horizon ’ can be train to grow vertically on a teepee or trellis .
There are one C of hemangioma simplex varieties that execute differently depending on region , so it ’s in force to select cultivars that do well where you know . Consult your local garden inwardness , extension service service , or thisstate - by - state guide .
