STRAWBERRIES
Sweet white flowers followed by luscious, red berries tell us summer is here. Plant a few of these for strawberry shortcake, fruit salads beyond compare and maybe even strawberry rhubarb pie.
Types of StrawberriesWe carry two types of Strawberries, June bearing and Everbearing or day neutral. Our June bearing strawberries are just that. The whole crop ripens at once, great for jam-making or feasting. The everbearing strawberries have fewer berries, but they come throughout the summer if well watered. They’re both well known for their great flavor.
Where to PlantStrawberries need at least six hours of sun per day and rich well-drained soil. They do best in a bed all to themselves where they don’t have to compete with other plants for space. It’s especially important to keep out the weeds. Raised beds are ideal.
How to PlantYou can begin planting after the danger of hard frost has passed and your soil is workable. If you buy bare rooted plants let them soak for half an hour while you dig. Remove all old leaves and any flowers, leaving two or three healthy new leaves. Dig the strawberry bed a foot deep and mix well-composted manure. Plant the strawberries a least a foot apart making sure that the soil covers the midpoint of the crown—planting too shallow or too deep can cause several problems. Water well and mulch lightly with organic material.
CareWater plants thoroughly about once a week until well established, taking care not to wet the leaves. Pinch off any blooms for six weeks after planting to encourage plant growth. Pick off any diseased or dead fruit or leaves. At blossom time every year fertilize with a balance fertilizer, 15-15-15.
Other InformationStrawberry plants generally bear well for three years. At that time it’s useful to rotate the crop to a new area, using runners from the old plants or starting over with new plants.
Supplies You Need
- Strawberries—24 or so make a good start for two people
- Composted manure
- Whitney Farms All-Purpose Fertilizer
- Shovel
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