Sweet, juicy strawberries are treats when right off the plant. Supermarket berries tend to be tart with grainy texture; this is because the natural sugar in the berries begins converting to starch as soon as it is plucked from the plant. It’s definitely worth your while to try growing strawberries, and the good news is that they are relatively easy to grow if you have full sun.
Strawberry plants come in three types:
- Day-Neutral: Insensitive to day length, these varieties produce buds, fruits and runners continuously if temperature remains between 35 and 85. Production is less than that of Junebearers.
- Everbearer: These varieties form buds during the long days of summer and the short days of autumn. The summer-formed buds flower and fruit in autumn, and the autumn-formed buds fruit the following spring.
- Junebearer: Length-of-day sensitive, these varieties produce buds in the autumn, flowers and fruits the following spring, and runners during the long days of summer.
For the home garden, we recommend Junebearers. Although you will have to wait a year for fruit harvesting, it will be well worth it.
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Dying
After cutting a few strawberries, the newer ones started dying before pollinating.Am i cutting it wrong or is it just the seasons changing?
Strawberries
Do some strawberries take three years before they actually produce fruit? I've transplanted runners (actually kept some mother plants) 1st year hardly any flowers, next year tons of flowers but really dwarfed strawberries. This year I've added to the soil and fertilized like crazy but still really stunted fruit. I'm ready to give up. The mother plants used to produce like crazy but then the small fruit started on them as well
so I thought they were done. Do you know what's going on?
Strawberry Crop
Keep up the hard work! The effort will be absolutely worth it. For first year transplanted strawberry plants, nip off any flower buds as they appear. The plant will use the extra energy to grow stronger roots and will have a larger crop of strawberries the next year. Try nipping most of the flower buds next year and give the plants a break to grow stronger. Strawberry plants are sensitive to drought due to their shallow roots, and require about 1 inch of water per week. Make sure they are getting enough water, and spread straw around the base of each plant to help conserve water and prevent weed growth. Also, weed diligently: Competition for root space and water could hamper your strawberry plants’ efforts. Make sure each plant is about 8 inches apart from others. We hope this helps!
First year of strawberries!!!
I bought a plant from Whole Foods, and planted it today in my yard. Last year was my first year for a garden and I have very little knowledge about what I'm doing... what are crowns for strawberry plants? Do I trim the plant down to the ground before winter? I live in the Northeastern tip of Illinois just a few miles from the Wisconsin border. We typically have cold, snowy winters, but the last couple have been mild.
Berries
My friend has two strawberries that look like the berry is growing leaves where the seeds are at. The rest of the berries are perfect berries. What's up? I tried to add a photo but couldn't figure out how. Thanks
odd strawberries
Strawberries sometimes develop oddly due to various factors, including damage from insects such as the tarnished plant bug or mites, or frost or heat injury, nutrient deficiencies (such as boron), chemical injury, etc. Poor pollination can also affect development. Another factor can be that the variety is not suited to the climate where it is grown, meaning that it does not have the proper length of daylight or the right temperatures.
Strawberry leaves
My plant doesn't look healthy at all. On some of the leaves have turned brown. I water it almost everyday. I first test it so I won't over water but living in Phoenix is different than any other place I have lived. For me a plant can go from well watered to dry in a matter of hours. That and the suns strength has been a challenge for me here like no other place.
I need to know if full sun all day is better than only morning sun ?
Strawberries in Full Sun
Strawberries generally produce the best fruit when in full sun, but in hot and sunny areas like Phoenix, they will appreciate some afternoon shade instead (especially if their leaves are getting burnt up). You could also try some light-colored mulches, like straw or white plastic, to hold in more moisture around your strawberry plants.
Strawberries Onions Blackberries Blueberries
Hello how are you doing, my name is David Peters from Cuauhtémoc Chihuahua Mexico I need lots of information about growing Strawberries Onions Blackberries Blueberries I want to grow them here in Mexico and I need all type of Information I can have from these plants. Can you help me with that? I also need to know in what kind of weather condition I can best grow them and so on!
moving strawberries
How do I transfer strawberries all sprawled out into rows?? I see they should be 2 feet wide with 4 foot aisles. What is the best trick?
I live in southern Minnesota.
strawberry spacing
There are several spacing systems for strawberries. The one mentioned above is likely the matte system. However, in the home landscape, you can grow strawberries more loosely, even as a ground cover, although they may not produce as much. If you are satisfied with your strawberries’ production and health, then you might want to leave them alone. However, if they seem overcrowded, or you want them to produce more, you might start by thinning out the plants when they are dormant in fall. One idea would be to transplant any of the small plants that are growing off runners; keep the mother plants where they are. Plant the baby plants in the chosen prepared area, using the spacing that you want. Eventually, the original plants will slow their production (after about 4 years), and you might want to then pull those up and start over; meanwhile, you will have your new rows with the younger plants. Strawberries usually produce best in their second and third year. For more information, you might contact your county’s Cooperative Extension; they might have publications on strawberry planting in your area. See: http://www.almanac.com/content/cooperative-extension-services to get started.
Strawberry plants transplanted
I recently transplated my plants from a round planter to the ground. About 3 weeks ago and know thwy seemed to have died any idea why?
There are several reasons why
There are several reasons why your transplanted strawberries may not be doing well. Did you plant so that the crown is properly exposed after the soil is closed around the transplants? Plants do not fare well if placed too deep and grow poorly if placed too shallow. Also, frequent irrigation is critical during the first 4 weeks after planting.
Adding organic amendments such as composted horse manure is a great idea, however, it must be sufficiently composted – when it looks and smells like soil.
Advice
Pls i want to start up a strawberry plantation in South eastern part of Nigerian for industrial use. How do i go about it?
Just Started
I live in a suburan around Philadelphia, PA, so we have hot humid summers and cold snowy winters. I planted strawberries and want to have them grow each year. I have mulched and planted two strawberry plants. Not sure the type. I had some berries grow and it appears the birds and squirrels like to eat them. I have rasied boxes on the side of my house. How do I keep them out.
squirrels in the strawberries
Katrina, remember one thing: You can’t fool Mother Nature (or her critters). Try netting on your berries; a lot of people use that to deter the birds and squirrels and, for the record, bunnies. And set up a pinwheel or other moving object of that sort. Think aluminum pie plates on a string, glittery dangling Christmas ornaments—even large scarecrows. (Situations like this is why people have been using scarecrows for centuries.) Be aware, however, that you might need a few such objects that you set up and move around; the critters realize pretty quickly that these are inanimate and pose no threat. You might scatter red pepper around … but you don’t want that on the berries you eat. Another idea is to have a radio playing, especially tuned to a talk show; this has been known to deter some critters. All of these—and similar—ideas usually work … for a while. It’s a challenge we all face.
cutting back strawberries
should this be done after they have finished producing or in the fall?
when to cut strawberry leaves
If you have June-bearing strawberries, you mow off the leaves right after harvest. Mow 1 inch above the crowns of the plants with a rotary mower. Then rake up the plant debris. After you mow, narrow the strawberry rows to 8-inch-wide strips. If your strawberry bed is a solid mat of plants, create strips that are 8 inches wide. Keep the younger plants and get rid of the old plants. Space the strips about 2 or 3 feet apart. Then apply fertilizer. Mulch in the late fall once the ground is already cold, and then remove mulch in late April.
I have lemon balm growing in
I have lemon balm growing in my strawberry patch. Should I remove it or let it grow with the strawberries? I have a great 2nd year crop, and want to continue such yields.
growing strawberries
Lemon balm and strawberries can happily co-exist in the same bed. No worries there.
Raised Bed Plan
I would like to build a raised bed for strawberries. I would like to make the raised bed 6 feet wide and 20 feet long. My plan is to plant three rows of strawberries with each plant being 2 feet apart, using the matted row approach. Starting in three years I would remove plants from one third of the raised bed each year, allowing the strawberries to spread back into the newly cleared row. My thought is that with this approach I would be able to continually remove old plants, not have to purchase new plants and have strawberries to pick from two-thirds of the raised bed each year. Any thoughts on this approach or recommendations?
Strawberries raised beds
To grow strawberries, the matted row technique is tried and tested, and should work well. In the first year after planting, remove any runners to give the plants time to establish.
Strawberry plant
I just bought a strawberry plant in a pot but ready to put it in the ground. The best place to put it at my house also has other plants planted. is this okay or should I pick a diffrent spot? Thanks in advance!
interplanting strawberries
Strawberries can be planted in a bed mixed with other plants, as long as they have room and full sun. If space is limited, you’ll need to remove any (or at least, most) runners that develop; depending on variety, strawberries can be invasive and crowd out other plants if not kept in check (by removing runners). In a vegetable bed, strawberries do not do well with members of the cabbage family (cabbage, broccoli, etc.), but enjoy beans, lettuce, spinach, and onion as neighbors, as well as some herbs such as borage or caraway. Strawberries are susceptible to verticillium fungus–you might want to avoid planting it near other vegetables that are susceptible, such as tomatoes.
strawberry seeding
I have tried growing strawberries from seed several times, but have not even produced a plant, what can I do?
Strawberries are rarely grown
Strawberries are rarely grown from seed by the backyard gardener. The only reason you would seed is perhaps to propagate a rare variety. You normally buy them as small plants. However, if you wish to try growing strawberries from seed, keep in mind that they take a month to germinate and they will not produce until the following years.
Frost
My strawberry plants have lots of blossoms and we are expecting a freeze the next 3 nights. Do I need to protect my plants?
freeze?
Always, protect in times of a freeze threat. Better to be safe than sorry—and we hope this got to you in time!
Perennial Strawberries
I bought strawberry plants last summer and had them inside in a dark space all winter- I just took the pot out and broke off all dead parts and watered the plant well- Will strawberries grow a second year?
row cover on strawberries
hello
When using a row cover on strawberries, is it necessary to remove the cover when the plant blossoms so the bees can pollenate the flowers? Thanks
row covers
Yes, even though strawberries are self-pollinating, you will get better quality and more yield if you allow pollinators access. When the strawberries begin to flower, you can remove the row covers, at least during the day. If the plants are used to being under row covers, you might gradually increase exposure for a few days before removing the cover completely.
strawberry plants
I live in Trinidad and i recently decided to try planting strawberries. I got the plants but i dont know what kind. They started sending out runners and i dont know what to do. Do i leave them connected or do i cut them and plant them elsewhere?
planting strawberries
Whether you keep the runners will depend on what planting system you use. The matted row system (good for June-bearing strawberries) keeps the runners, allowing them to root freely in rows; this system produces more strawberries, but they may be smaller than with other systems. The hill system (good for day-neutral and everbearing types) would remove the runners before planting, allowing only the mother plants to grow more crowns; this encourages larger strawberries but less of them. There are also other planting systems, but those are two basic ones. For the first year, unless you will be growing the strawberries as annuals, it is advisable to remove the flowers of June-bearing types, to allow the plants to spend their energies on growing roots and runners. For day-neutral and everbearing, usually the flowers would be removed the first year until the end of June, then allowed to flower/set fruit later in the season. (These are guidelines for the United States–I’m not sure how this translates to the growing season in your area.) Hope this helps!
Actual Strawberry Terra Cotta Pots
I bought 2 strawberry pots and 20 strawberry quinault roots. Is it good to plant the roots directly in to this type of planter? Or is it better to plant them in a separate container until they sprout then transfer? I already have the PVC pipe drilled with holes in the pots so that is set. Thank you! Have a sweet day!
planting bareroot strawberries in pots
You can plant your bareroot ‘Quinault’ strawberries directly in your strawberry pots. Follow the vendor’s direction, if you have some. Usually, you may want to soak the dormant roots (but not crown) in water for about 30 minutes before planting. Also, generally you would trim the roots to about 6 inches long if they are longer than that (be sure not to injure the crown). Plant so that the crown is level with the soil (roots are not showing, but crown is not buried). Enjoy!
strawberries
When is it a good time to move plants from the ground to a tiered planter?
Spring and late summer are
Spring and late summer are the best times to transplant strawberry plants. Move the plants as soon as the ground warms up and water well.
I love this
I love this website!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I use it to do homework.
Yes I agree.
I use it for home work too works great in agriculture science
This is our 2nd year
This is our 2nd year strawberries in raised bed. Lots of leaves but afraid berries are rotting because they are shaded and close to damp soil. Is my bed soil level not high enough for berries to get sun and air? Soil is currently 3" below the edge of our wooded 4 x 8 box bed?
I live in western Washington
I live in western Washington (USDA 8b, Sunset 5) and I'm hoping to plant strawberries in my suburban backyard next spring. I am new to gardening, however, and I was wondering how I make the soil in which I want to plant them the correct pH, if I plant them directly in the ground. Also, which variety of strawberry would you recommend?
These publications from
These publications from Cooperative Extensions might help:
soil:
http://county.wsu.edu/spokane/...
http://www.soiltest.uconn.edu/...
http://county.wsu.edu/spokane/...
varieties:
https://ir.library.oregonstate...
for commercial growers, but some good information:
http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPubl...
This is my second year of
This is my second year of trying strawberry's. Must say they are doing really well. I have picked at least 4to5 times now and have got a pretty good container of them \. My space is about 10ft by 10ft. They are pretty good but one problem they don't seem to be very sweet. Is there something I can do to get the sugar up in them? I thought about mixing some sugar water to my irrigation some way. Would that help any?
Thank you Don Wambolt
Who knew, Don?! We would have
Who knew, Don?! We would have suggested that the flavor was all in the variety, and it might be, but research suggests that you can fool Mother Nature and improve it yourself. Here are a few ideas:
• strawberries grow in acidic soil, with high potassium content, have produced great-tasting berries. Apply a potassium-rich fertilizer—think a comfrey solution or molasses tonic (that's right)—every two weeks in summer.
All of this, and more is explained here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gar...
Every year we get one good
Every year we get one good crop of strawberries, but then nothing again until the next spring. I had always thought that if you picked the berries regularly they would give you another crop before going dormant??
Carolyn, look above to read
Carolyn, look above to read about strawberry types. You have June-bearing berries that only give you a spring crop. Everbearing berries will give you a smaller crop, but it will go through the growing season.
We planted our Strawberries
We planted our Strawberries last year - and now this year they are all bunched together - we want to separate them and place them in rows - so they can grow and have more room to produce berries ......
When is the proper time to re-set them ? After they have stopped producing fruit or early in the spring ?
If your strawberry bed is too
If your strawberry bed is too crowded, renovate the planting. Start this immediately after the last harvest.
Here's a good article for reference: http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/1998/6-12-1998/newberries.html
Need help! I decided to grow
Need help! I decided to grow a lot this year. Too much I think , watermelon cateloupe pumpkins honeydew ect., lol! I bought a small strawberry plant ,got 5 strawberries that were amazing, so I decided to buy more. I got 2 more small ones and put them in big pots like the other one. I then was shopping and saw a hanging plant with over 60 flowers on it and had to buy it. I have a few questions.
1. The plant that already produced strawberries that were picked, some of the leaves are turning purple, what should I do with this plant, cut it down?
2. I live in New York, I read that over the winter plants should be covered or put in garage if in pots to protect them. They are all in pots what is the best thing to do?
Any help is greatly appreciated !!
There are many different
There are many different varieties of strawberries. Some will bloom again and produce more berries. If you have the names of the strawberries you can look them up online and see if they are everbearing.
In the fall cut off any dead leaves and cut the runners before storing the containers in the garage. Cover with a blanket or a towel and water the containers about once a month during the winter so that the roots don't dry up.
Hello, I have a 2-yr old
Hello,
I have a 2-yr old strawberry patch. When I first planted, I planted several different varieties (Ozark Beauty, Romans, Tristans, and wild strawberries out of my parents lawn & woods).
I planted different varieties because I was unsure what would keep over the cold Cleveland Ohio winter.
Everything came back and with some hand pollinating, I will have a nice crop of strawberries.
My question is this, will planting a mixed variety hurt my strawberry patch in the long run? Or will they live nice next to one another?
Hi, Jennifer: Not to worry.
Hi, Jennifer: Not to worry. All things being equal, you should continue to have a nicely behaved bunch of strawberry patch kids. Thanks for asking!
Hi, I was wondering if anyone
Hi,
I was wondering if anyone had any advice about the following:
1. Is there something that can be put over the soil so the berries don'the have to rest right on the soil? Mulch, hay or plastic?
2. The other night something ate all the ripe berries. It didn't appear to be an insect.. the entire berry and most of the stem was gone.. I'm guessing it was a bunny? Is there something used to keep critters from snacking? A wire mesh maybe?
Thank you!
netting works great. Birds
netting works great. Birds ,bunnies and other pest that enjoy strawberries will not want to get tangled in the netting. You can pick up at any garden nursery.
You didn't answer her first
You didn't answer her first question on what to put on top of the soil, so the strawberries ar not on the dirt
What they said about the pine
What they said about the pine needles, straw and black plastic is what you put over the soil to keep the berries out of the dirt. You use those items like a mulch and it serves a dual purpose. She could also use the black fabric as well. Keeps the weeds down, soil warm and the berries will have a nice barrier between them and the soil.
Hi Kristin, Straw, pine
Hi Kristin,
Straw, pine needles or black plastic work well as mulch around strawberries. It will keep the berries clean, control weeds and keep the soil moist.
Cover the berries with plastic netting to keep critters away.
I just dealt with this exact
I just dealt with this exact thing. A few days after planting i noticed stawberries appearing but they were on the ground and under leaves. I was afraid ants may get them easier or slugs or just be flat on one side.. so i got out a wire ring i had that i think is ment for tomatoes ( round 12" ring with 3 spikes) and i pushed it over the strawberry plant down to just below the top of the branches and used it to drap the berries and branches over to help them up off the ground and hopefully train it to grow a taller plant.
When I go to orchards, I
When I go to orchards, I usually see raised beds of straw for their strawberries. On the other hand, a black plastic mulch that absorbs heat from the sun will take care of hiding slugs/snails if its laid out correctly.
I just planted some
I just planted some everbearing strawberries and would like to know that do they survie in USDA Hardiness Zone 3a.Should I just leave them in the winter or do something. And what soil do they prefer.
I have read that strawberry
I have read that strawberry plants "love" coffee grounds. Is this true? If so, what benefit are the coffee grounds to the strawberries? Should I add coffee grounds to my soil?
Please tell which parts of
Please tell which parts of india is most perfect to grow strawberries. I am from north east india and willing to grow berries. Plz help.
I started strawberries from
I started strawberries from seed. Can I plant two strawberry plants together?
Check the seed packet for
Check the seed packet for information on how far apart each plant should be spaced.
I live in zone 9 and see very
I live in zone 9 and see very few nights, maybe 3-5, with cold weather in low 30sF. Is it necessary to cut back my strawberries and cover with straw?
In Zone 9 and mild climates,
In Zone 9 and mild climates, you don't need to mulch. Strawberries are cold hardy, for the most part, and will survive mildly freezing temperatures with little to no care. Rather than mulching in the winter, you need to mulch in the summer in hotter climates to keep the berries cool and clean.
I have seen strawberry's
I have seen strawberry's growing in the farmers fields and they are grown in a raised bed and planted in what looks like black plastic. can you tell me why this is and if it helps the strawberry's in any way?
Berry interesting . . . This
Berry interesting . . .
This hill, or mound, growing system is usually used for day-neutral and everbearing strawberries. Runners are clipped (cut out) to enable the plant's energy to go to producing fruit—not establishing new plants.
A row system on flat ground, with no mound, is commonly used for June-bearing strawberries. In this case, growers tend to let runners grow at will. The quality of the fruit tends not to be as good as the other berries (above) because energy goes into producing new plants, not only fruit.
The black plastic that you observed is a form of mulch. Growers call this "plasticulture," and often drip irrigation tubing is laid under it. This method results in denser plantings and greater harvests.
i was putting my strawberries
i was putting my strawberries in an pot they are already in an pot anyways i always water them and they i keep them in my balcony they dont get much light some days they dont get any its growing but the strawberries wont grow the flower blooms but dies each and every flowers blooms but dies so should they get sunlight thanks!!!plz tell me what to do :(
Strawberries need full
Strawberries need full sun—that's minimum 6 per day—to thrive and produce the best yield. Anything you can do for your plants to get them into direct sunlight would be beneficial.
can you tell me I covered my
can you tell me I covered my strawberries with a mesh and straw and when I uncovered the plants I have a lot of dead leaves from previous year plants,i had clipped runners and flowers. there are green plants but they are the ones I had planted. This is the first time I had planted strawberries and I was wondering if this is what they look like when they are uncovered.
thank you
This sounds about right. Your
This sounds about right. Your plants were dormant for the winter, and they are—er—springing back.You did not indicate your location. Be prepared to protect your strawberry plants if a late-season frost threatens. You can check the average last-frost date for your area here: http://www.almanac.com/content...
Hi, I'm based in South India
Hi,
I'm based in South India from a place called Coorg, Karnataka, which is a hilly region with lots of rainfall during monsoon and cold climate all year long, usually. Otherwise the weather is pleasant and cool year long with moderate-to-heavy sunshine in summer. We grow coffee, oranges, cardamom, black pepper, rice, banana, and ginger here. I have read the above-mentioned comments and details on growing strawberries and want to know can i grow it here on a large scale. They do grow it in Bangalore but under what conditions i dunno. They do maybe by creating artificial climate. I want to grow it here in Coorg and need some advice on this for this climate, the varieties, where can i get the seeds or plants to cultivate in south india and is it a costly proposition to grow? They do sell some varieties on E-bay promising different varieties and colors of strawberries but honestly will they grow if at all? or are we being duped? Appreciate your sincere advice on this...
Hi Amrut, You can grow
Hi Amrut,
You can grow strawberrie in coorge area of karnataka.
In India , highest cultivatio of strawberries is in Maharashtra's Panchagani -Mahabaleshwar dist. Satara. You can also get training in the subject at central Govts. Horticulture Training Centre at Talegaon - Dabhade Dist. Pune.
pradeep rokade
+91 22 9821096811
Hi all! Sorry, but am new to
Hi all!
Sorry, but am new to this post and subject since a hemorrhagic stroke I had a few years ago. I vaguely recall growing strawberries successfully in the State of Washington, but have now retired on a good sized lot in Muscotah, KS (66058) zone 5b or 6, depending on source.
I am looking for the sturdiest varieties and most Perennial varieties to grow, as they are a rarity here in far NE Kansas (being cropland and farm animal country) and coming originally from California, I miss fruits and veggies.
I have a 20' x 6' patch outside the regular garden that is available for a crop like strawberries alone.
Can anyone help me with choosing the varieties best suited for this area, and that will come back yearly? Thanks so much!!!
Cheers!
Kim
Varieties grown in northeast
Varieties grown in northeast Kansas may not produce as well in other areas of the state. Of course, the first rule is to purchase "virus free" stock from a reputable nursery that's local so the plants don't get dried out. June-bearing varieties are usually the most productive varieties in home gardens and they are perennials. You could plant more than two varieties - an early, a mid, and a late season variety - to insure ripe fruits over a longer harvest period. According to your cooperative extension, recommended varieties for Kansas are: Allstar, Earliglow, Guardian, Northeaster, Ogallala, Ozark Beauty, Primetime, Redchief, Tribute, Tristar. We'd suggest you speak to a local nursery about the best varieties for your area.
TELL ME IF AND HOW MY
TELL ME IF AND HOW MY STRAWBERRIES WILL GROW
Doesn't sound like your
Doesn't sound like your strawberries are going to grow based on your previous comments. Stick to houseplants or herbs if you don't have full sunlight.
Kim- I've come across your
Kim-
I've come across your post by chance today. I live on Fort Leavenworth, KS ...so not far from you at all. I have had significant luck with my patches..I started with 2 plants 3+ yrs ago in 3ft×3ft plot on the side of my house(facing afternoon sun). Due to it being military housing I opted to raise it and use gardening soil (not knowing the history of the home ..honestly, not knowing if /when/how many dogs utilized the "soil") . I occassonally use a plant feed but other than that they have spread like crazy- about 10ft x 10ft now and produce like clock work. Maybe I got lucky, I have heard a lot of negatives with KS and strawberries but thought I'd share my thoughts since I'm so close. So...good luck!!
am i Uganda and plans to
am i Uganda and plans to start growing berries and here we have only wet and hot weather which type is good for us we have full sun whole year
what temp is best for
what temp is best for strawberries
Plant strawberries in late
Plant strawberries in late spring. They're fine as long as the temperature does not go above 61°F or this will inhibit flowering.
I live in Connecticut. This
I live in Connecticut. This is my first garden. I got a small baby plant from lowes and am pot growing my strawberries due to messy issues in the backyard.
My strawberry plant itself is all nice and green. But this spring is a hot one. And a humid one. I'm getting my first flower. And as of the looks this morning five more are coming. They are beautiful but I've read to eliminate the flowers causes them to focus production on strawberries and roots. And now you've mentioned temperatures higher temperatures cause flowering as well.
Do you recommend eliminating the flowers or let the them? Will the humidity affect growth?
Mind my mistakes I'm on my
Mind my mistakes
I'm on my phone
Or let the flowers grow *
If you plan on keeping your
If you plan on keeping your strawberry plants overwinter, we'd recommend removing the first year's flowers so that the new plant can focus on growing roots and establishing itself. If, however, you do not plan on keeping the plant past this growing season, keep the flowers so that you will have fruit later in the season. If you plan to overwinter them, but would like a harvest this year, you could try allowing just a few flowers to form and develop fruit, while removing the rest.
Some humidity is good for the plants; too much, and too much heat, will encourage disease and cultural problems.
I bought some strawberry
I bought some strawberry seeds online and that are supposed to grow a blue variety of strawberry. My friend is convinced it's photoshopped but I want to give it my best and try to grow them. Most of the info here is about cultivating plants. What's the best time and way to start seeds in zone 9? I'm in Deep South Texas. Is anyone familiar with this variety? Can I repurpose something into a planter and grow them on my porch or is it best I break out the tool belt and make a raised bed? I am quite willing to! I want to give it my best go and see if something really neat comes of these seeds.
The blue strawberries have
The blue strawberries have been a hoax for some time. People have tried to grow the seeds but the plants that germinate are often not even strawberries. You can try to grow them or get some new seeds from a reputable mail-order company. Plant the seeds in a container or seed tray with soilless potting mix. Keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate. When the seedlings are big enough you can plant them in bigger containers or in the garden. The plants may not fruit the first year.
Hello, I live in zone 9 and
Hello, I live in zone 9 and have a raised bed of about 30 strawberrys that were planted last fall, so far the plants have only doubled in sizeand I am Concerned that when I bought the plants they came two per container (loran variety) and I pinched back the weakest looking plant. Now it looks as if those pinched plants have grown and look like they are competing. However I am dont have enough ecperience to tell if these plants are shoots of the main plant or just the competing plant. I am afriad to cut them back because I dont want to slow down any plant growth. Also my bed are only about 5 inches deep over a layer of cardboard over dead grass. Is it possible to dig up each plant and seperate any competing plants and add several inches of soil without completly devestating the plants?
I planted quite a few
I planted quite a few strawberries about 3 years ago in a 4'x 6' raised bed. They have gone crazy and are sooo thick it is hard to weed. I live in zone 3a and have never done anything to them at the end of each season. What is the best advice for this overgrown raised bed? Strawberry production is decent, but the fruit is small. It is February, should I cut them back?
I planted my strawberries
I planted my strawberries last spring theu didnt produce much but when I bought them they had green berries growing. I covered them up with old leaves last fall, the plants still green under there, when should I expect them to start growing berries again, also they didnt produce but 6 or 7 berries last year, should I expect more this time around?
Your plants should be doing
Your plants should be doing well this year and you should be getting more berries. Remove the leaves when temperatures have warmed up. Depending on the variety you have blossoms should appear in late May early June.
Do strawberry plants need to
Do strawberry plants need to go through a cold winter/period of dormancy to be able to bear fruit? Where I live temperatures only fluctuate by a few degrees throughout the year, usually between 22 and 33 C, so my outdoor environment would not be able to provide that chilling time. I have read about putting runners in the freezer for a couple of weeks to mimic winter. Could that work? Also, with days of 11 to 12 hours throughout the year, how would ever bearing and day neutral varieties behave? Would they just keep on going?
You need to grow varieties
You need to grow varieties that are heat tolerant and you will have best luck growing strawberries as annuals and not perennials. Please see the pdf below for advice and suggested varieties.
http://polkhort.ifas.ufl.edu/d...
Hi, am from India and i
Hi, am from India and i planted 4 strawberry plants around september and they produced runners and i kept the healthiest and trimmed the weaker ones and now in december 2014 they are producing flower buds and cold season have started well now here at India.Isit normal that my plants are flowering in winter.Plants are healthy and lush green.I planted 4 plants in september 2014 and now at december 15th 2014 i have a total of 14 plants doing well.Sometimes littge bugs pinkish in colour are seen at back sides of leaves can some body tell a home made cure forthem.
Can you actually grow
Can you actually grow strawberries at home? Pls do reply...
What is the typical length of
What is the typical length of the flowering period for strawberries? Does it vary significantly between cultivars? From what I've learned here, ever-bearing types would be constantly be producing flowers, so may not have a set 'flowering period' but typically how long would each flower be open for?
Bloom time varies depending
Bloom time varies depending on the weather conditions, how much daylight you have, and the variety of strawberries you are growing. Strawberries are in general ready for harvest 30 days after the flowers open.
Hi I live in Michigan and I
Hi I live in Michigan and I bought a everlasting strawberry patio pot in the beginning of june that already had strawberries on it. The plants got too big for the small pot, so I transferred them intro a large pot. They did very well all summer. I am wondering if I need to cut the plants down now that it is November and put them in my garage with a blanket? How short do I need to cut them? I just started to get runners, do I cut them too? Do I cut leaves and all?
Hi Jillian, Cut off any dead
Hi Jillian,
Cut off any dead leaves and cut the runners before storing the container in the garage. Cover with a blanket or a towel and water the container about once a month during the winter so that the roots don't dry up.
Hello, I just constructed a
Hello, I just constructed a raised bed with about 6 inches of soil, it is the end of october and I plan on filling rows with strawberries. Is it to late in the season to start and be ready for next season? Also my soil consist of 50% compost and 50% peat moss along with a little cow manure and shapgnum moss, is this soil good enough for sustaining the plants?
Hi Eric, We're not sure where
Hi Eric, We're not sure where you live but strawberries are usually planted in the late spring. For a raised bed, we'd suggest 8 inches high. Mix organic matter (manure is a good source--or, compost, leaves, peat moss, etc.) sand, and fertilizer (1 pound of 10-10-20 per 100 sq. feet). If you're using manure to improve soil structure, decrease the fertilizer by half.
Thanks for the advice. This
Thanks for the advice. This should help as we are coming in to spring here in Mississippi. I have some seeds and some roots. I'm going to try to plant some vertical and some in the rased bed.
how much nitrogen,
how much nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium does strawberries require per acre?
Hi Vane,It depends on a soil
Hi Vane,It depends on a soil test but the standard recommendation is: Apply 60 pounds nitrogen (N) per acre, 60 pounds phosphate (P2O5) per acre and 120 pounds potassium (K2O) per acre. Broadcast these fertilizers and lightly incorporate before bedding and fumigation.
what time is the growing
what time is the growing season
i have that same ? how much
i have that same ? how much does it need
I am new to gardening and did
I am new to gardening and did not realize that I should have renovated my plants after harvesting the few berries I got this year. It is now mid October in Wisconsin, is it too late to cut down the plants? Will this harm the plant since this should have been done months ago? Should I fertilize too?
I live in Wisconsin too and
I live in Wisconsin too and have the same question. I planted my strawberries this year and read that I shouldn't let them fruit in year one, so I cut off all flowers and have also cut off all runners. I also read that I shouldn't mow off the year one plants after the fruit is harvested (which I didn't harvest any). So now I can't find anything that tells me when I SHOULD cut back all the green and mulch them. I also planted June bearing and ever bearing so I'm not sure if I should cut back both types.
You can still cut back the
You can still cut back the tops of the strawberries above the crowns. Then add some fertilizer, high in nitrogen, and mulch with straw or something similar to protect the plants during the cold winter months.
i have 3 strawberry plants in
i have 3 strawberry plants in containers on my deck. how would i prepare them for the first frost? i dont want them inside the house in fear of bugs (spiders!) and should i still water them from now and all through winter and if not when should I stop watering them? last year i had 10 strawberry plants for summer and they died over winter. but i didnt know you had to prepare them. :-(
The easiest way to overwinter
The easiest way to overwinter containers is in an unheated garage or shed. Cover the pots with towels or other fabric to help protect the plants and maintain dormancy. Water the plants about once a month being careful not to overwater them. You can also sink the pots into a garden. No need to water them if they are outside.
It's the first of October and
It's the first of October and a friend just delivered strawberry plants to me. Problem is my bed is not ready to receive them. Should I go ahead and prep quickly and plant, or could they be put in pots and then plant them next spring?
Is it really necessary to cut
Is it really necessary to cut foliage down to 1 inch? I mean, can I not just leave the whole plants (with leaves attached) and mulch or cover with pine neddles over them? As an alternative to mulch/pine neddles, can I just cover the plants with weed mat as demonstrated and advised by some growers in youtube? I live in maryland where at times temperature are really cold during the winter season. Thank you.
It's recommended to cut or
It's recommended to cut or mow down June bearing strawberry plants after the last harvest. This will encourage more blooms and berries the next season. We are not familiar with covering the plants with a weed mat. We have always used straw or pine needles with good luck.
Wow, thanks a lot, I was not
Wow, thanks a lot, I was not really expecting a reply from you considering the volume of inquiries you receive daily! Again, thank you. A follow up question/clarification- would it be alright then to just leave the stems and leaves and cover them directly with straw/pine needles regardless of variety? I can no longer track down which are June-bearing and ever-bearing (I think there's a 3rd variety I planted), so I'll just cover them with straw/pine neddles? About half of my strawberry plants are on pots- will covering them with straw-pine needles do the job? Or do I need to put something extra (someone suggested bubble wraps, others some damp clothes/blankets) to cover and protect them from the cold?
There are different options
There are different options for the containers. You can gather the pots together and put them close to a wall, out of the wind, and then cover them with mulch, leaves, straw or pine needles. You can put the pots inside bigger containers and stuff leaves and mulch in the empty space between the pots. You can sink the pots into the ground and add mulch over them. Or you can put the containers in an unheated garage or shed with a blanket over them. If you do this remember to water a few times during the winter as they don't get any natural moisture from rain or snow.
Good luck!
awesome! thanks a lot.
awesome! thanks a lot.
I live in Florida. I
I live in Florida. I purchased 2 hanging baskets of strawberries & got a few berries. They now have runners, no fruit & not looking so great. I keep watering. Should I cover with more soil and wait for more fruit to come later or cut way back? Can I replant the runners into the existing hanging plant?
Thanks, Adele
Hi, Adele, Any time someone
Hi, Adele, Any time someone says that they "Keep watering," we become concerned. You may be watering too much. Even well-draining soil needs a pause, a brief dry time. Just as important, make sure the soil has slightly acidic pH (5.5 to 6.5) and provide 10-5-10 fertilizer once in a while. And, yes, remove the runners.
That said, apparently the best strawberry season in Florida is not summer but fall and spring. (Summer is probably typically too hot.) That, according to numerous Florida university gardening pages. Here are two:
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdff...
http://gardeningsolutions.ifas...
We hope this helps.
Have grown day neutral
Have grown day neutral strawberries for years with bumper crops in fall. Since moving, the plants have bloomed in spring but not throughout the summer or fall. I have had them covered with netting since spring because of the rabbits & deer. What I could be causing the plants not to bloom? I water them adequately and they look healthy otherwise.
Hello - I am in Michigan and
Hello - I am in Michigan and it is August. I just bought some junebearing and everbearing plants on clearance. They are a good size and have lots of runners. I am building raised beds. Any advice on how far apart they should be and what to do with the runners? Anything else to consider?
Traditionally, planting
Traditionally, planting systems are matted row (June-bearing) or hill (everbearing/day-neutral). With raised beds and black plastic, the spacing can be different. You can search on the Web for the terms "plasticulture" and "strawberries" for more information about growing strawberries in raised beds.
About plasticulture:
http://extension.psu.edu/busin...
http://extension.psu.edu/plant...
http://extension.udel.edu/week...
Traditional spacing:
June-bearing strawberries: Usually planted in a matted row system. Plant about 18 to 24 inches apart in rows 3 to 4 feet apart. Runners are allowed to grow freely and form a thick mass of plants about 2 feet wide.
Everbearing: Usually planted in a hill system. Often planted 1 foot apart in 2 or 3 rows that are about 1 foot apart. Usually, a 2-foot-wide path is provided every 2 or 3 rows. Runners are removed.
For more information about growing strawberries, you might be interested in:
http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/s...
http://www.extension.umn.edu/g...
http://extension.usu.edu/files...
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/p...
I think fish poop, you can
I think fish poop, you can buy would work great on these plants..thats what i am going to use, more organic..ty
strawberry plants: can i pull
strawberry plants: can i pull plants,dry them, and plant them at a later date????
ADVISE
Hi, Bob: Uh, no. Dry = dead.
Hi, Bob: Uh, no. Dry = dead. But if you keep the rootballs in a moist (but not too moist, as that will bring rot) medium (say, topsoil and sand) in a cool setting (say, cellar), you should be able to bring the plants out of dormancy once again.
Our strawberry plants are so
Our strawberry plants are so pale. We've put strawberry fertilizer on but no improvement. What are we doing wrong?
This could be related to
This could be related to water: Strawberries should be watered with a drip system. Root rot—what this sounds like—is caused by overhead watering. A lab test through your local cooperative extensivenight reveal the exact problem.
Then again, pale leaves could indicate that your soil's pH is too high for the plants. The desirable range for strawberries is a slightly acidic 5.5 to 6.5. A simple soil test can reveal the soil's pH.
I LIVE IN UPSTATE NEW YORK
I LIVE IN UPSTATE NEW YORK AND HAVE A STRAWBERRY PYRAMID I WOULD LIKE TO REPLACE ALL THE PLANTS AT THE END OF SUMMER. WHAT VARITIES COULD I USE AND WHARE CAN I BUY THEM AT THAT TIME OF YEAR?
I planted about 75 strawberry
I planted about 75 strawberry plants in the spring. They have been doing really well,but I noticed yesterday that something has been eating the leaves off about 7 plants. couple plants just have stemms sticking out of the ground .I dontt see any insects and I have never had any problems with animals in the past in my garden. what should I look for.
It's probably slugs. You
It's probably slugs. You won't see them. Go out late and night with a flashlight and you'll find these nocturnal pests. See our Pests library for tips: http://www.almanac.com/topics/...
Planted about 75 plants in
Planted about 75 plants in the spring they have been doing really well but I noticed yesterday about 6 plant are missing leaves just stems sticking out of the ground. I dont see any bugs on any plants I never have had any problems with animals in my garden I am in upstate ny
I'm in Colorado 80526 and
I'm in Colorado 80526 and have had great luck with the Laramie everbearing in a raised bed that has successfully included egglplants and tomatoes over the years. This 4th year I didn't do any spring maintenance and it was a sad crop indeed. I understand from your article I should dig them all up and start anew. However, the plants are so healthy, I hate to throw them out. Is it pointless to move them now? For crop rotation, what would you suggest now that it's almost July? I really want to grow strawberries there again. It's the perfect place. Thanks.
I personally would not give
I personally would not give up on them if the plants are good. It could be that you did not have enough water when the flowers were blooming and the berries were forming. Just care for them and over winter with pine straw (It really is the best). i am certain you will see a better crop next season. I have had a similar issue before, and they were fine for the next year's crop.
I live in Ohio, is it too
I live in Ohio, is it too late to start a garden with strawberries for harvest this summer/fall?
For traditional strawberries,
For traditional strawberries, early spring really is the best time to plant strawberry plants as long as soil is not too wet. Late-season varieties ripen in late May to mid-June.
great info, thank you.
great info, thank you.
I just purchase 100 plants in
I just purchase 100 plants in KY. I was thinking of using old tractor tires for raised beds. Is this an okay idea, or will the rubber tire affect the plants? If the tires are a good idea, what would be the best soil mix to utilize?
Thanks
Planting your strawberries in
Planting your strawberries in tires is a terrific idea! Use 3 parts soil to 1 part compost.
I had bought 100 strawberry
I had bought 100 strawberry plants. I have 2 raised beds 10 ft x 4 ft x 6 in. They are filled with aged compost. They were doing really well for the first few weeks but now they don't look so hot!
What should I do? I was think about building up the sides on the raised beds by another 6 inches than replanting them. Do you think that would be wise or do you think it would shock them further?
Also I live in zone 3 wisconsin they get about 14 to 15 hours of sun light a day could that be affecting them? Everything I test my soil I do the finger test and all seems fine as far as watering them!
Thanks in advance!
Emily
Strawberries have shallow
Strawberries have shallow roots so 6 inches should be fine. Make sure that your beds drain well and water when the soil feels dry. Strawberries require full sun for optimum fruit production so the location of your beds is perfect. Hopefully with warmer days your plants will perk up.
It's end of may in Oklahoma
It's end of may in Oklahoma and I live in zone 7a/7b. I'm wanting to start planting strawberries but don't know which ones will produce the best and how to start planting them. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Please see our planting and
Please see our planting and care advice at the top of this page. You can also read more about growing strawberries in Oklahoma at http://pods.dasnr.okstate.edu/...
I would like to send some of
I would like to send some of my strawberries home to my mom in philadelphia..I am in indiana....should I pick them early or just ship overnight...and what do you suggest putting them in
Hi Mary, Strawberries are a
Hi Mary,
Strawberries are a perishable food and can't be shipped via regular mail. You need to use UPS or Fed Ex.
Pick the strawberries before they are fully ripe and pack them carefully in an insulated cooler (Styrofoam type) or a cooler bag. Add packs of dry ice and seal the cooler before putting it in a bigger cardboard box. Ship it 2-day delivery or overnight.
Have a new crop coming from
Have a new crop coming from mostly Honeye June bearers. Look very healthy with clusters or 12 blooms/berries. Loaded very heavy, my question is there a possibility that there are to many berries. My concern is getting only very small fruit. Past crops have been normal in size with very heavy crops with a fraction of the blooms that are there thius year. What do you think?
Hi Ray, Leave the flowers on
Hi Ray,
Leave the flowers on the plants and make sure to water well as the berries grow. You should have a nice size harvest.
I planted strawberries a few
I planted strawberries a few months ago. They are leafing out and have started to bloom and produce a few berries. The ants are hilling up in the middle of the plants. Is there anything that I can put out to halt this? I don't like to use chemicals. Would diatomeous earth work? If so how would I use it? Any help would be appreciated.
Hi Lynn, You can just
Hi Lynn,
You can just sprinkle diatomaceous earth around your plants. Or, spread cedar chip mulch around the plants to repel the ants.
If you put grits or rice on
If you put grits or rice on the ant mound it will kill the colony. Best to apply this method 12pm-2pm that's when they gather food. They carry the rice or grits back to the queen when they eat it they die. Good luck
I built a raised bed to plant
I built a raised bed to plant my strawberries. It is 4ft.L × 3ft.W × 1ft.H. How deep should the soil be to give adequate room for the roots?
For strawberries, which are
For strawberries, which are shallow-rooting, a bed should be 12 to 18 inches deep. You are fine. Before planting, till the soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches.
I just bought a strawberry
I just bought a strawberry plant and when I did some research I discovered that I forgot to ask them what type of strawberry plant it was. It has a redish stem that slowly turns to a light green as it nears the leaves, it has three leaves per stem, and the leaves are kinda jagged at the tips. The plant is still young so I'm not sure any of this info will help but i would love if you could try to identify it for me.
Thank you
Wanting to grow strawberries
Wanting to grow strawberries in a place where there is alot of sun and few rain through out the year. Basically temperature will be between 27c○-45c○. Thats a guess. Hot but never cold enough that temperature went around 25c○. Any suggestions on which type I should pick?
Greetings. It would help us
Greetings. It would help us all to understand which gardening zone you're in. Check out this page and let us know:
http://www.almanac.com/content...
I am from the maldives. I
I am from the maldives. I don't really know what garden zone. But we have 2 hot seasons. Like rainy and sunny. And all we have is sand. No rocks. Also we do have methods to fertilize the ground.
Wanting to grow strawberries
Wanting to grow strawberries in hanging baskets what kind of plants should I get I Live in Ironton, ohio
Day-neutral strawberry
Day-neutral strawberry varieties such as 'Evie,' 'Albion,' and 'Seascape' are well-suited to hanging baskets.
I have some old tin
I have some old tin "trough-style" chicken feeders, interiors are a little rusty. I want to use them for planting strawberries as they can hang over the railing of my second-story deck and will be attractive while letting the plants cascade. Is it dangerous to ingest edibles planted in that particular material?
Risk of poisoning is slim but
Risk of poisoning is slim but the zinc and cadmium are harmful to humans. So, wash out the tub with soap and water and then line the container with durable plastic liner, such as the type used to line ponds. Cover sides and bottom of tub. Also, make sure you add drainage holes in the tub and also holes the size of nails in the plastic liner as strawberries can't get wet feet.
thank you
thank you
Hi, I live in Zone 4-5..high
Hi, I live in Zone 4-5..high desert plains. (80526) The birds planted strawberries near my fence - at least that must be what happened because they just appeared -robins! Its a culvert area at the end of the lawn which faces the street, and can get quite hot at mid summer. The strawberries took off! I do irrigate that area. They have covered all the open space, and send runners into the lawn. Harvest has been wonderful,but the berries are not very large. I pick all summer long. I do little to the bed, but wondering if I can improve it somehow this year. I noticed they like it better when I don't clean out the leaves, etc. and I am considering applying a 12-12-12 fertilizer. I haven't thinned them, and notice the older spots don't produce as well..they are very thick. I do weed it. Suggestions? As far as variety - who knows?
Thank you.
How exiting to have a
How exiting to have a strawberry surprise!
Strawberries do grow in your zone, however, growth slows if the temperature isn't in between 50 and 80 degrees (F), so we wouldn't expect growth into the summer.
Strawberries to like a sandy texture that drains well and is high in organic matter. So you should just mix in some compost to give them the nutrients they need to grow bigger.
Yearly fertilization should not occur until after spring crop has been harvested. Afterwards, apply 10-10-10 fertilizer at 1 ½ pounds per 100 sq. feet.
Strawberries need lots of water so it's great they're in a place conveniently located near water. You can also run a soaker hose running through them at low pressure.
Periodically, you need to renovate a strawberry garden to thin out older crowds and reduce runner density. Contact your local cooperative extension for more information!
Thank you for all the
Thank you for all the information! We have an extension service with the university here and I will be contacting them! I haven't been able to find a 10 10 10 fertilizer, only 14 14 14..maybe at a nursery instead of the local box store!
thank you again!
You can use 14-14-14
You can use 14-14-14 fertilizer. Just reduce the amount applied from the suggested 1.5 pounds for 10-10-10 to a hair over a pound for the 14-14-14. The numbers refer to the percentage of nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium in the fertilizer blend. As long as the ratios of the three are correct (in this case 1:1:1), you can adjust the amount applied to achieve your target.
How to germinate strawberry
How to germinate strawberry seed in lowland such a Phillipines
I have just got a small plant
I have just got a small plant of strawberry. I have planted in a rectangular wooden box especially for my plant. It is growing quite well but I am confused whaat is the way forward
Do they have to sprawl? Or
Do they have to sprawl? Or can I make them grow up onto a post like a grape vine?
Strawberries don't climb and
Strawberries don't climb and their runners need to touch soil to produce new plants. There are some varieties that grow well in hanging baskets or pyramids.
Can I plant 2 different types
Can I plant 2 different types of strawberries in the same pyramid? If yes, what types. I live in Liverpool, NY 13090.
Please advise me
Thanks
Yes you can plant two
Yes you can plant two different varieties. We suggest that you plant one june-bearing variety and one ever-bearing. This way you'll be harvesting strawberries for a longer time.
Hi I live in St Louis MO, I
Hi I live in St Louis MO, I am planning to grow my strawberries in a 5 gallon bucket with an irrigation. I just bought the Loran strawberries today 03/22/14 when should I plant them? How long can they live in the carton I bought them in? I know they need 6 hours of sun but it is only 47 degree so can I put them in the window sill til it warms up to 68-77 degrees?
Loran strawberries are hardy
Loran strawberries are hardy and it's best to plant the strawberries in the container as soon as possible. The plants need to be well-established before the temperatures get too warm.
have a new raised bed filled
have a new raised bed filled with compost since last fall. Ready to plant strawberry plants and have been advised by a nursery store to put lime and a fertilizer 6-24-24 together & mix together, put in bed before planting. My zip is 42122. Is this what I should do?
If you have compost in your
If you have compost in your raised beds additional fertilizers are unnecessary.
Dear friends, I need an
Dear friends,
I need an advice. I planted strawberry plant last April and I pinched off all the flowers. They grew very well and there is lots of flowers now but it is failed to develop(grow) into strawberry. Early spring, I added compost into the soil. I applied miracle grow solution mix with water 2 weeks ago but I don't see it is improving.
Please give me an advice.
Regards,
Jeongsim,
Union City, CA
Not enough sun or too much or
Not enough sun or too much or too little water may be the problem. Depending on the variety of strawberries you have the flowers may not get pollinated. But most strawberries are self-pollinating so you don't need a second variety for pollination.
For more help contact your local cooperative extension.
http://ucanr.edu/
hi, i am from india i am
hi, i am from india i am working in private farm where the strwberriew (albioan) have been planted. it gave good size of fruits in winter (december to february) from march plants bearing flowers which is divided as branch and giving very small flowers, evntualy small sized fruits. i dont know what does it indicate? can you explain about branched small fruits and flowers ? if i do thining can i get big one ?
I am wanting to plant
I am wanting to plant strawberries. All I know about them are what I have read here. I am assuming strawberries return each year, but this says that new plants are recommended each year. How do you get rid of the old plants that come back in order to plant new?
Hi Andrew, We should clarify.
Hi Andrew, We should clarify. Strawberries are productive for 3 or 4 years, however, you do need to maintain the patch to keep it productive. Right after harvest, you want to mow the old foliage down, cutting off the leaves about 1 inch above the crowns. Compost the leaves. Fertilize the patch with one pound of a 10-10-10 fertilizer per 100 square feet. Narrow the rows to 6 to 12 inches wide with a hoe or spade. Remove all weeds. Thin the plants in the narrowed row to 4 to 6 inches between plants. Water with 1 inch of water per week to promote growth and to make new runners for next year's crop.
I was reading the almanac for
I was reading the almanac for when to plant in my area, and I didn't see when to start strawberries indoors nor out. I live in area code 44035.
Thanks!
Early spring is the best time
Early spring is the best time to plant strawberry plants as long as soil is not too wet.
I want to raise our
I want to raise our strawberry bed about 2 foot high & put borders around it. Our June bearers are pretty well established & should do really well this summer, but my question is can I just add the soil over the strawberries(about 2 ft of soil over them, or do I have to dig them up, put the soil down, after we get the borders built up around the bed & then replant them??? Or will putting all that soil over them, kill them??
Hi Sylvia, It's not wise to
Hi Sylvia,
It's not wise to cover the strawberries with 2 feet of soil. Dig them up and replant them after you have built your raised bed. Do this as soon as you can in the spring.
I'm considering planting my
I'm considering planting my strawberries with my grape vines. I saw a post on pintrest regarding sustainable gardens recommending this. What is your take. We are in new property so everything will be in its first year.
Sounds like a good idea.
Sounds like a good idea. Strawberries have shallow roots and grow well with other plants. You may get a bit less yeild due to some of the shade from the grapes when they grow bigger. The strawberries will also keep the weeds down around the grapes.
I just bought a strawberry
I just bought a strawberry plant in a pot.
there is no sunlight that i receive in any part of my house.
Is it possible for the plant to survive ???? If not then i would rather give it away to someone who has enough sunlight in their house
Give it away. Strawberries
Give it away. Strawberries need a full-sun location with at least 8 hours of direct sunlight.
Hello I am from India
Hello I am from India (northern plain) where usually temperature is hot. USDA Hardiness Region is between 10-11. So I want to know, are the strawberry plants feasible to grow here.
I also want to, if the plants can be grown here, then which variety of it should be grown.
1. Everbearer
2. Junebearer
3. Day Netural
During Winter season
During Winter season (December - January) temperature is usually between 39 - 77 degree fahrenheit.
I think you can buy warm
I think you can buy warm weather varieties like Camarosa. Those should work during your late fall-winter months - say from October - early Feb. Remember soil needs to be well drained so I would think a raised bed would be particularly good in India given the monsoon.
Thanks
Thanks
I live in Minnesota where it
I live in Minnesota where it is very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter. this spring I want to plant a "fruit fence" with strawberries blueberries and raspberries around the fence in my backyard will that work? will winter take its toll?
Sounds wonderful! Look for
Sounds wonderful! Look for hardy varieties that will tolerate your cold winters. There are many to choose from. Make sure the plants have plenty of room to grow into and also be aware of the different soil requirements. Blueberries for example need acid soil.
Hi, I live in Malta where the
Hi, I live in Malta where the weather is almost sunny all year round.
I have just started planting strawberries. The batch I bought, are already growing little flowers.
My dilemma is this ; should I cut off the flowers as normally suggested in favor of having a better harvest next year ?
or,leave the flowers to get the fruit sooner ?
I feel guilty to take flowers out.
Can you plsease advise ?
thankyou
Emanuel
Pinching off the blossoms
Pinching off the blossoms will promote root growth and healthier and stronger plants for next year. You can leave some flowers if you like but the plants may not grow as big.
Enjoy your strawberry garden!
Do I set out strawberry plugs
Do I set out strawberry plugs during the growth of the moon or on the decline. I've tried to use that type info for pruning plants and for taking cuttings.
Since strawberries produce above the ground, do I use the growth of the moon as stated above? Or, should I stick with the time to "transplant" even though I will be using just the root plug?
Thanks,
Patricia
When planting by the Moon,
When planting by the Moon, this is our philosophy: Above-ground crops are planted during the light of the Moon (new to full); below-ground crops are planted during the dark of the Moon (from the day after it is full to the day before it is new again). Strawberries bear their fruit above ground.
It is mid October here in
It is mid October here in Western Mass and I got a big bag of strawberry plants from a gardener cleaning his beds. Can I plant now, mulch with straw, and expect decent results?
From Zone 6 northward,
From Zone 6 northward, strawberries are best planted in spring as they need to be well-rooted by the following winter. Most of western MA is zone 5: http://planthardiness.ars.usda...
From Zone 7 southward, strawberries are often planted in fall and grown as annuals that can be lifted every fall and replanted.
If you have the plants, you could always give it a try. Use lots of mulch for winter protection.
what variety of berries can i
what variety of berries can i plant and they bear the same year.
Hi, John, To give advice on a
Hi, John, To give advice on a variety, we'd really need to know where you live--in a northern climate, a southern climate? IN general, June-bearing strawberries, such as 'Shuksan', grow well in Zones 6-10. Check with your local extension office for the variety that grows best in your area.
Hi, I live in Asia and the
Hi, I live in Asia and the weather here is hot and humid (about 30 degree celcius) and i found many in my country tried planting strawberries and failed. Will it help if i avoid direct sunlight and if i add ice instead of water to soil will it improve the chance of my plant's survivor? Lastly, will the type of water (mineral / distilled) affect my plant's health? I really hope to have sweet fresh harvest as the ones I got from supermarts are sour and tarty. Thanks.
Can I snip off the runners
Can I snip off the runners and root in water, or plant them in dirt before the roots are present? I have a deck container with tons of runners and would like additional plants. I didn't know if they still need to be connected to the mother plant before snipping them or before roots are showing. Thank you!
To grow strawberries from
To grow strawberries from runners. Peg down the runners during growth season, usually in June or July, keeping them attached to the mother plant. Eventually, they will form a separate plant. Don't allow more than five runners to develop from each plant. In August, when the runner plants are well established, cut them from the parent and transplant immediately.
Hi, what type of strawberries
Hi, what type of strawberries would grow best on cape cod? And when should we plant.Thank you!
For June Bearing varieties,
For June Bearing varieties, try Annapolis or All-Star.
For Everbearing, try Seascape or Tribute.
There are many strawberry varieties that grow well on Cape Cod; visit some garden nurseries and explore.
A few years ago I
A few years ago I transplanted a strawberry plant from a friend who had the most delisous staawberries but after much checking around I had a strawberry weavil. I did the required spraying but I never got a strawberry so finally got rid of them. The plant looked very healthy otherwise. Its been about 5 years and now I would like to try a raised bed for strawberries, do I have to worry about those weavils still being in the soil?
We would advise planting the
We would advise planting the strawberries in a different bed. If this is your only bed, a 5-year wait should be fine. In the future, plant cover crops in the old beds and crops that are not susceptible to strawberry root weevils, such as sweet corn or pumpkins. Crop rotation is mandatory with strawberries as well. Read more about crop rotations and cover crops for strawberries here: http://www.uvm.edu/vtvegandber...
To avoid weevils, cover a new planting with row covers until the plants flower. There are also beneficial insects that eat weevils and other preventative measures you can take.
I would like to plant some
I would like to plant some berries this unmet for next spring. I have an abundance of land and sun, I live in southern Manitoba. Wondering which variety I should seek out and if planting in the late summer is ok?
Transplant strawberries
Transplant strawberries plants after the last spring frost, usually in early June. For June-bearing strawberries, Kent and Glooscap cultivars in hardy in your area. See more here: http://www.gov.mb.ca/ana/pdf/m...
I've seen some photos of
I've seen some photos of strawberry beds where people used wooden pallets. They were stood vertical or hanged and filled with dirt. The plants were growing out of the slats. With it being vertical like this would the gravity be too much strain on the plants?
Verticle growing works well
Verticle growing works well for strawberries. We've read about a gardener who plants fall bearing strawberries in Styrofoam containers stacked one on top of another, supported by a metal pole. The weight of the berries cause them to naturally droop and hang down, but in the vertical growing system they don’t touch the ground as they might in the field. The berries are clean and easy to see and you don’t have to bend over to pick them so it's easier picking, too!
I'm starting a garden and
I'm starting a garden and I've planned everything out, but one thing I can't find the answer to on the Internet. How deep do you plant strawberry seeds?
When you set your plant into
When you set your plant into the ground, the soil is just covering the tops of the roots. Do not cover the crown.
I have many kinds of
I have many kinds of strawberries I had to move them this years because we got horse. but they didn't give us any berries none at all. I hope it is shook but what can I do? and it horse poop good for them?
There are several reasons why
There are several reasons why your transplanted strawberries may not be fruiting. Did you plant so that the crown is properly exposed after the soil is closed around the transplants? Plants do not fare well if placed too deep and grow poorly if placed too shallow. Also, frequent irrigation is critical during the first 4 weeks after planting.
Adding organic amendments such as composted horse is a great idea, however, it must be sufficiently composted -- when it looks and smells like soil. See our manure guide: http://www.almanac.com/content...
does all this mean that next
does all this mean that next year i will have berrie? or will NOT?
I have a topsy turvy planter
I have a topsy turvy planter and the plants are growing and even runners. However, the strawberries either aren't forming when the pedals fall or the form slightly then dry up before getting very big. What am I doing wrong? I water daily and they have plenty of sun. Please help!
We don't have a lot of
We don't have a lot of experience with topsy turvy planting.
The common reasons for poor fruit set are: no pollination due to weather (do you see pollinators?), bugs feeding on the flower (check for bugs), and poorly-draining soil (use sandy loam enriched with peat moss and well-rotted compost). Also, don't use too much nitrogen in your fertilizer. Fertilize in early spring before flowering and right after harvest with a 10-10-10 fertilizer. Tip: For your first harvest, pinch off the petals before they fall.
I planted a dozen plants last
I planted a dozen plants last year. One plant that had the most blooms this summer developed a grey mold looking film over all the berries. I did not seem to affect the other plants. HOwever, after 3 weeks, all plants now have the same grey film over the berries. Do I have to dig up all the plants? I bought them from a local farmer and all were healthy. Thank you.
This sounds like "grey mold"
This sounds like "grey mold" which thrives when there are wet or humid conditions. This fungus starts on the part of the berry that is in contact with the soil; soon, the rot soon involves the entire fruit and inflects others. Unfortunately, you need to remove any infected strawberries. To control, the practice is to apply protective fungicides at bloom and continue until harvest if cool wet conditions prevail. At this point, you can try to spray and see how it goes. Ask your local cooperative extension about approved fungicides.
Prevention: To promote air circulation and rapid drying, 1. space plants properly , 2. keep thinned, 3. remove dead leaves, buds, and berries quickly, 4. remove weeds and debris, and 4. avoid high-nitrogen soil.
Thanks for the comments.
Thanks for the comments. Since cats were starting to "use" my soil, I placed black weed control fabric and then covered with bark. Should I not have done this? All my berries are affected. If I remove all the berries (leaves are great) will this stop it? The plants are about 1 foot apart.
Remove the berries and the
Remove the berries and the bark. If the weed control fabric lets air through you can leave it on. It's important to improve air circulation around the plants. Prune some of the leaves if the plants are touching. Work with the plants when they are dry.
thank you for your advice we
thank you for your advice we are trying to start growing strawberries but in sacks,this is an organisation of youths in kenya,we will update you if we are successful
I planted strawberries about
I planted strawberries about 5 years ago. Although they produce a small amount of berries each year they have not grown bigger. They are the same size as when I bought them. This year they are producing small berries compared to other years. any advice would help to what is wrong.
Perhaps it's the soil? How do
Perhaps it's the soil? How do you care for your strawberries? Be sure to fertilize with a 10-10-10 in early spring before flowering and right after harvest.
I just came back from France
I just came back from France and was able to experience their strawberries. They were smaller in size and much greater in flavor. I have done some research and found that they might be Gariguette strawberries. Can anyone tell me if these plants are available in the US? If not what available kind would come close that is available in the US?
I do not believe you can
I do not believe you can purchase this prized variety in the U.S. A similar variety is ‘Mara des Bois’ -- introduced by French nurseries back in 1991. Google this variety and you'll see U.S. nurseries that sell it.
I planted strawberries and
I planted strawberries and tomatoes in close proximity to each other. Someone has now told me that strawberries should not be planted near tomatoes. Is there any truth o this comment?
Do not plant strawberries
Do not plant strawberries where tomatoes have been grown in the past four years. Tomatoes--as well as potatoes, peppers, and eggplants--carry the root rot fungus Verticillium, which attacks strawberries.
I just bought a house last
I just bought a house last Sept. and recently found out that I have a ton of strawberry plants growing in the back corner of my yard. How can I figure out what type they are? What do I look for? Also, from what I can tell with all the runners this has been growing for awhile now. How should I cut it back at this point if needed?
To rejuvenate the
To rejuvenate the strawberries leave some of the younger plants that grow from the runners and discard the mother plants. It's going to be hard to identify the variety. (You can go to farmer's markets and taste the strawberries sold to see if you can match the look and taste of your strawberries.)
First time in a strawberry pot
Hi, so I bought a strawberry pot and 5 plants to go with it, I have lots of flowers and my first 3 berries are actually starting to grow. I noticed from above comments and a few "how to" websites that it says to cut the first flowers. I did not know that when I originally planted them. Should I remove them now or is it too late and I should just let nature take its course?-thanks nikki
how to?
How to start from seeds -how to get seeds from fruit? I can go from there. Thanks for any and all help! :-)
The seeds on a strawberry are
The seeds on a strawberry are on the outside and you can carefully pick them off and dry them. Most seeds need to be put into the freezer for 3 to 4 weeks before planted. Be aware that many strawberries are hybrids and will not grow true from seed. Seeds also take a long time to germinate.
Strawberry row covers
I use Garden Commanders for my strawberries with great success. Great convenient protection! Raised beds are perfect for strawberries and the Garden Commanders fit perfectly! You can order them online and they last for many years. June bearers are best , very little disease and great size. Super sweet and freeze great too! Pine needles in fall are the best for mulching and soil conditioning.
Junebearers in Tx
Bought a few plants from a chain retailer on impulse and then went home to prep the garden. Pulled up a tree and cleared as many tree roots as possible and put down some good gardening soil from the store to fill in the hole. My previous experience with strawberries was an unknown variety that we just let grow wild in the space we allotted and they lived and produced for YEARS!! Is cutting them back in the fall really necessary? Our temps don't consistently get to 20*F until more like December. Would we be warm enough to let them be or should I cut them in late November anyway? :-)
In Texas, strawberries are
In Texas, strawberries are best planted in the fall but retailers seem to sell them in the spring. Just make sure that 1) the soil stays moist and well irrigated, 2) the plants are protected from any dry winds, and 3) the soil pH is not too high (6.5 to 7.0 is ideal and amend with compost or peat moss if needed). At planting and periodically, add a balanced fertilizer. In the fall/winter, after a couple frosts, go ahead and mow down the runners. Then throw super-phosphate over the patch. Next spring, spread some 10-10-10 over the area before new growth begins. If their production doesn’t improve, dig them out and replace with a new planting. In Texas, sometimes cultivated strawberries (not wild ones) are treated as annuals.
didn't cut back strawberries in fall
So, I have my strawberries in raised beds. I have several varieties. I weed and cut off runners etc, but I have not ever cut back the the plant in the fall. Is it too late to do that now that it is Feb.? I live in Oregon zone 7b-8. What is the purpose of cutting the foliage back?
running strawberries
You might want to reconsider your strategy. Removing the flowers when they first appear in the first growing season promotes root development and thus ensures a large crop the following year.
If that time has passed, you could try it in this growing season, or "renovate" the crop now. This means cutting the foliage with a mower (or perhaps scissors in your case), removing the foliage to about 1 inch above the crowns. This puts the energy of the plant back into the ground; it doesn't waste energy growing a "top." Clear away the clippings, then fertilize with 10-10-10, weed well, and water with an inch of water per week. Finally, leave the runners alone. Every resource we know if says that you want runners. Replant the beds with new plants every three or four years. We hope this helps.
Topsy Turvey Strawberries
Just got a topsy turvy for strawberries. I've got some questions: 1) when to plant? 2) fertilizer? 3) best strawberry plants for illinois?
when to plant strawberry
It says to plant as soon as the ground can be worked but in NC it can be 70 degrees today and 30 degrees tomorrow. Should I plant after our last possible frost dates?
Most strawberry varieties are
Most strawberry varieties are cold hardy. A bit of frost won't effect the outcome of the plant. So planting when the soil can first be worked is a good rule of thumb.
Strawberries
I just got plants about a month ago. Are they hard to raise? Also can you cover runners with soil and root them? Thanks
topsy turvy strawberry planter
yes i got one this year also and have it set up and it's producing a good amount of berries.....i put 2 plants in each hole (fyi)...that was an option according to the instructions........the strawberries are delicious and really fun to grow and watch.....my teenager loves watering it......i like it so well bought another one for next year so will have two planters
After
This season got my first Topsy Turvy for tomatoes and strawberries well what do I do for my strawberries after the season is over? How do I save my plants?
AFTER SEASON
YOU CAN KEEP YOUR TOPSY TURVY INSIDE NEAR A WINDOW THAT RECIEVES FULL SUN MOST OF THE DAY AND A ROOM THAT IS WARM. YOU MAY JUST BE ABLE TO GROW THEM ALL YEAR LONG!
TOPSY TURVY STRAWBERRIES
Has anyone tried to use the topsy turvy for planting strawberries? Was it successful?
topsy turvy strawberry planter
eleanor buy a topsy turvy planter......you'll love it (see my comment above yours)....
My first
This is my first season ever growing strawberries I got to freeze some so I think it is going just fine. I got a good amount of tomatoes too.
I've used the Strawberry
I've used the Strawberry Topsy Turvy with great success for the past 3 years. My wife loves the fact that she can walk outside and pick strawberries for breakfast without digging through dirt. Make sure you plant your strawberries in potting medium mixed with good composted soil. After you're done planting , make sure you water, water, water everyday. I add miraclegrow for strawberries every 2 weeks. Check the soil to make sure that it hasn't run out from the watering. Top it up when necessary. In the fall, bring the Topsy-Turvy inside and hang in the cool basement and remember to water occasionally. In the spring the strawberry plants come right back.I now have 4 topsy turvys working along with the strawberry plants conventionally grown in the ground. The Topsy Turvy plants are healthier.
One more thing I'd like to
One more thing I'd like to add to the Topsy Turvy set up is to make sure you pinch off the runners from the strawberry plants to get more strawberries.
planting herbs between strawberry plants
what herbs can I plant in between immature strawberry plants? I planted new starters this year and they are small, so
I have quite a bit of room between rows to plant something else. My preference is herbs, but I am open to suggestions.
Good herbal companions for strawberries ...
... are borage and thyme because they are allies. Borage helps strawberries resist insects and disease, and thyme deters worms, especially when planted as a border.
Some good vegetable companions for strawberries include beans, lettuce, onions, and spinach.
Do NOT plant broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower or kohlrabi. They do not play well with strawberries.
Container Strawberries
I have a topsy turvy strawberry planter. I have yet to use it, but can strawberries be grown in containers? I want to try growing, but don't have yard space. Can they be grown well in the topsy turvy? Or possible in a big planter pot?
I'm not sure if strawberries
I'm not sure if strawberries will grow well in a topsy turvy planter, but you can grow strawberries in a container.
Any small ever-bearing strawberry variety (like the alpine strawberry, or wild strawberry) is a good choice because you don't want the berries to get too big or heavy. When planting, start with small young plants. They are easier to fit into the plant pockets, and their root systems will quickly spread inside the container. Use a well-drained potting soil. Make sure you plant the strawberries outside after any danger of frost has passed. You also can start the plants indoors earlier if you like.
Hope this helps! Good luck.
topsy turvy strawberry planter
nechole84.........i have a topsy turvy as well as strawberries growing in a strawberry pot........both are producing berries with minimal effort......in fact like the topsy turvy thingy bought another so can have 2 for next year........