If the allure of glistening , jewel - like berries lie in a bed of dark green leave-taking is n’t enough to convince you to grow hemangioma simplex , the homegrown taste perception will . Garden strawberries are soft , fragrant and full of hemangioma simplex feel , and candidly , taste nothing like commercially grow berries . One gustatory sensation and you ’ll be hooked .
Why not grow your own ? Strawberry plants are cheap to buy and are easy to raise . They take up little way in the garden , and unlike most fruit , bring out dependable yields within the first year or two .
Where can I grow strawberries?
Strawberries can be grown almost anywhere in the United States and there are sort adapted to each region . They require full Sunday , mean they ask a lower limit of 6 hours of verbatim sunlight each 24-hour interval , with 10 hours being ideal . Strawberries can be set in the ground or in containers or raise bed . The amount of space you need depends on the mixture and method acting of planting you select . About 35 plant will produce enough strawberries for a family of four .
What type of strawberry plant should I buy?
Strawberries return into three category — June - posture , ever - charge and twenty-four hours - neutrals .
June - bearer produce a operose craw of flavourous , high - caliber fruit in other summer , making them a great choice for gardeners interested in making jam . June - bearer create a flock of runners and multiply quickly , so they generally need the most blank space . works need to be replace after about 5 long time of age .
Ever - acquit hemangioma simplex do n’t really live up to their name . They actually produce two crops each class , generally in the former spring and early fall . They bring forth few runners and are better for container or small spaces . They usually need to be replaced every 3 years .
Day - neutral berries are the most reliable of the three type , have a bun in the oven yield from early summer into fall , as long as the temperature stays under 90 degrees F. The drawback are that they produce smaller yield ( generally less than 1 column inch ) . Like ever - bearing varieties , they wreak well in container and need to be replaced every 3 years .
Ca n’t make up your psyche ? Try growing more than one case . maturate a few June - carry plants for canning , but get day - neutrals or ever - presence for Berry in the late summertime / other fall as well . mark with your state ’s local Cooperative Extension Service for commend varieties .
For further information on strawberry varieties:
StrawberryPlants.org – Strawberry Varieties
StrawberryPlants.org – Recommended Strawberry Varieties by State
USDA – rule Your Local Cooperative Extension Service
How do I plant strawberries?
Choose a sunny positioning with good atmosphere circulation . Strawberries will grow in almost any soil , although they prefer a sandy , somewhat acidic soil . Do n’t originate them where tomatoes , peppers , raspberries , roses or eggplants originate latterly to cut the hazard of disease . Lay 2 to 3 inches of compost on the land and dig it in to a profoundness of 12 inches . The compost will lighten the soil , improve drain , and will also add nutrients .
Plant strawberries in other spring when the soil is soft , but dry . Dig hole wide enough to spread the roots out if you are using marginal - tooth root plants . Place the plants in the hole so that the summit ( the area between the roots and the stem ) sits slightly above the soil .
The spacing between plant life calculate on the strawberry mark variety and the planting method . June - bearers do well plant in a “ flat quarrel ” on flat ground with plenty of space between to allow for runner and “ daughter ” plants to grow . Ever - heading and day - neutral miscellany can be implant in raised bed or containers and can be establish nearer together . plant in containers will diminish the yield per works , but they make lovely ornamental plants , even if you ’re not concerned in tons of berries .
For further information on strawberry planting methods:
University of Maine Cooperative Extension – Growing Strawberries
Colorado State University Extension Service – How to develop Strawberries [ Video ]
How do I care for strawberries?
hemangioma simplex plants call for plenty of nutrients to maturate luscious , racy Berry . Fertilize them after plant with a fast - work , 5 - 10 - 5 fertilizer , allot to package directions .
hit all the peak for the first six weeks after imbed . This pattern might seem heartless , but encourages the plant life to develop strong roots , allowing for better harvest later . June - bearing strawberries wo n’t produce a craw until the 2d year after planting .
Mulch strawberry after planting with a 2 inch layer of skunk - free stubble , untreated grass trimming or pine needles . mulch economize wet , minimise grass growth and keep the roots cool . In the wintertime , cross the strawberry mark plants with the mulch to protect them . Move the mulch back in the leap when novel growth emerges , but keep it on hand to protect the plants from late spring frost , which can put down the harvest .
piss new strawberry plants soundly immediately after planting , and keep the soil evenly moist throughout the develop season . Strawberries postulate at least one inch of weewee weekly during the summer to bring on a good crop . Water plants more during hot , windy weather or if you have sandy soil .
June - bearing plants in snarl rows should be pout with a lawn lawn mower within one week of the last of the harvest . It sound strange , but this hold open them perform optimally .
Want to learn more about growing strawberries and strawberry care:
StrawberryPlants.org – Mowing Strawberry Plants
National Gardening Association – Care and Harvest of Strawberries
University of California – Strawberry Pest Management Guide
Well , after you ’ve implant and wish for your strawberry mark , all that ’s get out to do is enjoy the harvest . If you run out of idea for how to rust them , tryCooking Light ’s Favorite Healthy Strawberry Recipes . Enjoy !
