The Tasty Strawberry -Tips for Growing Strawberries

Hello!

It’s getting that time for the taste strawberry to be making an appearance. For some people in the warmer climates like in Florida already are harvesting strawberries. Here up north we have a bit before we can plant strawberries. I am trying some strawberry seeds that I had for a bit to see if they will work. They are starting to sprout.

I love the taste of strawberries. I love strawberry shortcake, strawberry pie and just about anything you can make with strawberries and especially homemade strawberry jam, yum! I am going to talk about tips for growing strawberries, the strawberry nutrition facts, strawberry planting information, what’s the best way to plant strawberries, planting in the spring or fall depending on cold or warm climates, the container options and harvest time.

Strawberry Nutrition Facts

According to Healthline.com, Strawberries mainly consist of water (91%) and carbohydrates (7.7%).
They contain only minor amounts of fat (0.3%) and protein (0.7%).

The nutrients in 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of raw strawberries

• Calories: 32
• Water: 91%
• Protein: 0.7 grams
• Carbs: 7.7 grams
• Sugar: 4.9 grams
• Fiber: 2 grams
• Fat: 0.3 grams

The vitamins and minerals in strawberries are:

• Vitamin C. Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C, an antioxidant necessary for immune and skin health.
• Manganese. Frequently found in high amounts in whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables, this trace element is important for many processes in your body.
• Folate (vitamin B9).
  One of the B vitamins, folate is important for normal tissue growth and
  cell function — and fundamental for pregnant women and older adults.
• Potassium. This mineral is involved in many essential body functions, such as regulating blood pressure.

Strawberries also provide iron, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamins B6, K, and E. Strawberries are a very healthy fruit to eat. The strawberry are also low glycemic, which doesn’t spike insulin levels. Strawberries are one of the fruits you can eat on the Keto diet as well.

Strawberry Planting Information

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 thru 9, but varies on the cultivar. Strawberries get 6 to 10 inches in height. Strawberries are self-fertile for pollination. There are 3 types of strawberries, June-bearing, ever-bearing and day-neutral strawberries.  For the June-bearing strawberries, pick off all the first year blooms.  This will help strengthen the plant as 1 berry will weaken the plant in the first year.

Everbearing and day-neutral strawberries are an exception to this rule. Pick off first flower cluster for the first year but then allow them to flower and bear fruit naturally.  After midsummer, plants should be well enough established to support the late-summer crop.

There are many types of cultivars, kinds that do well in the warmer climates and some that do well in the colder climates. You will want to make sure you get the proper strawberries for your zone.

Most of the cultivars produce fruit in June then a smaller crop later in the season, these are called June-Bearing. There is another type called everbearing and tend to be smaller than the June bearers, but the yield is about the same for the season.

The strawberry is considered a perennial but they don’t last forever, you may get 3 to 5 years out of the plants. Some people will add new strawberry plants each year or every other year, then you can rotate out the old with the new to keep the crop going. After a couple years you need to move the strawberries to a new spot or switch out the dirt in the planters.

Tips for Growing Strawberries

First finding a spot that will get at least 8 hours of sunlight each day, and a little elevated for better drainage and reduce the risk of a late frost. Avoid low spots as the cold settles there on cold nights. The strawberries will be in the same spot for at least 2 years then need to be moved or soil replaced.

It’s important to make sure the soil is slightly acidic, between 5.5 and 6.5 pH is best. Use a rich humus compost, well-rotted manure or peat moss, to hold the moisture.

Don’t plant strawberries in a spot where you have grown potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, melons, raspberries, blackberries or other strawberries in the last 2 to 3 years. Verticillium wilt often lurks in these soils and can infect a new crop of strawberries plants months later.

Add a balanced, all-purpose, low acid fertilizer into the soil, work into the top 6 inches, always follow the instructions on the fertilizer package as they are all different.

If you are planting the strawberries in the ground there is a couple methods that are used for the best yield.  June-bearing plants are most often planted using the matted row system.  The day neutral and ever-bearing plants are usually planted in a hill system, also called mounding or mound system.  These 2 systems work the best for high yields.  There is also a hedgerow system and double hedge row that are also used.

Planting Strawberries in the Spring or Fall

Strawberries seem to be finicky. Plant the strawberries at the proper depth, which means if you have crowns, they should be at the ground or soil level. If the crown is buried in soil, the plant will smother. If you plant the crown too high above the soil, it will dry out. It both scenarios the plant will die.

For the colder climates the strawberries get planted in the spring. In the warmer climates like southern California, Arizona, and Florida, can plant in the fall. No matter what time of the year you plant them, always be on the look out for cold weather, especially frost warnings. Strawberries don’t do well in the cold temperatures.

What to Plant Strawberries In?

There are several options when it comes to planting strawberries. Just the different containers alone have many options. There are pyramid towers, round towers, grow tubs, strawberry bags, raised beds and plant in the ground the old-fashioned way.

You can make your own DIY raised beds or purchase many kinds of containers for growing strawberries. Strawberries can be grown indoors using smart gardens or hydroponics.

You may want to purchase a net or make some sort of protection from the birds. The birds may get your strawberries before you do.

The Strawberry Harvest

For the best flavor and highest vitamin content, pick the strawberries on the day they ripen, which means picking them daily as they ripen. Picking strawberries in the early morning after the dew has lifted and the air is cool, is the best time to pick them.

Put the strawberries in a cool place immediately after picking. The crisper drawer of the refrigerator work best. Strawberries can be frozen (they freeze well by the way), dehydrate them or make taste jam with them.

 

Happy Planting!

Strawberries are natures candy. I plan on growing some strawberries this year as well. I need to find a new place since they need at least 8 hours of sunlight. I hope you found this post helpful and inspire you to grow strawberries this season.

Read my review for Online Nurseries and where to purchase seeds online!

Let me know if you are growing strawberries this year!

Tell me your trials or wins with growing strawberries!

Please Comment below, I would love to hear from you!

Cheers!

Chris