There are several different strawberry plants in each variety, all with different characteristics. Some types are less prone to disease, some produce runners when others don’t. If you’re canning, you will probably opt for a firmer berry; but if you’re just growing to enjoy them straight off the vine, a sweeter soft type might suit you best! Strawberry plants that produce runners will be perfect if you are looking to have a large sprawling strawberry patch. If your plant will be growing in a pot, a plant that doesn’t send out runners would be ideal!
Strawberry Varieties We Carry
Ever-Bearing: Produce two crops of fruit a year; heavily in spring and less in the fall. These plants can be planted in rows on a 6 – 8 inch raised bed which will provide better drainage. Theses strawberries don’t produce many runners so they can be planted 6 – 9 inches apart in ground.
June-bearing: June bearing strawberries produce one large group of big, sweet, juicy fruit, typically in June. These plants will produce more runners and should be planted 18 inches apart in rows that are 4 feet apart.
There are several different strawberry plants in each variety, all with different characteristics. Some types are less prone to disease, some produce runners when others don’t (better for in a pot for city gadrening). If you’re canning, you will probably opt for a firmer berry; but if you’re just growing to enjoy them straight off the vine, a sweeter soft type might suit you best! Strawberry plants that produce runners will be perfect if you are looking to have a large sprawling strawberry patch. If your plant will be growing in a pot, a plant that doesn’t send out runners would be ideal!
A Few Plant Types We Carry
Sweet Ann: An ever-bearing plant that produces high yields of large, sweet fruit with a medium firmness.
San Andreas: An ever-bearing variety that has overall good disease resistance. This type of strawberry is fairly firm, large, and delicious.
Camarosa: This June-bearing plant produce deep red, large, sweet berries. These are known as “the original garden strawberries”!
Chandler: A June-bearing variety that has a red, tender interior that is sweet. These berries grow large and typically wedge shaped.
Albion: Ever-bearing variety and is quick growing with an extremely sweet flavor.
Caring for your Strawberries
Before planting your beautiful strawberry plant into the ground, a soil test can be beneficial to find out if adding any nutrients to the soil would be helpful. If you’re not doing a soil test, having a nice all-purpose fertilizing soil can set your plant up for success. Be sure to rid your area of weeds before planting and not to plant where peppers, potatoes, tomatoes, or even other strawberries have grown in the last couple of years. Your plants should be spaced out, about one to one and a half feet apart for best growth!
Strawberries love well-watered soil. Now remember life is all about balance, so be sure to not to drown your plant! Checking your strawberries soil weekly to see if the top inch is dry will help any over watering/ under watering issues; about 1 to 2 inches of water weekly will do the job. Drip irrigation is helpful when working with strawberries, dry leaves and fruit can reduce disease outbreaks.
No matter the variety or type of plant you choose, all strawberries love full sunlight! About ten or more hours of sunlight a day are ideal, but a minimum of six hours will do. Enjoy your garden-grown strawberries on desserts, in jams, or for a colorful, sweet midday snack!
If you don’t already have your strawberry plants for this gardening season, give us a visit at Jolly Lane Greenhouse to start your berry growing journey!