Week 5...Strawberries

Who doesn’t love strawberries. They are a sweet, juicy treat that we enjoy all year long. Why not grow them? You can enjoy strawberries so many ways, frozen, fresh, in jams, salads, etc.

Strawberries are a perennial, which means they will return every year. So taking the time to establish them in an area that they will thrive is very critical before planting the strawberries.

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Health Benefits

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 3.5oz (100 grams) of raw strawberries are:

Calories 32

Water 91%

Protein 0.7 grams

Carbs 7.7 grams

Sugar 4.9 grams

Fiber 2 grams

Fat 0.3 grams

The most abundant vitamins and minerals in strawberries are:

• Vitamin C. Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C, an antioxidant necessary for immune and skin health (1), (2).

• Manganese. Frequently found in high amounts in whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables, this trace element is important for many processes in your body (3).

• 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 (4), (5), (6).

• Potassium. This mineral is involved in many essential body functions, such as regulating blood pressure (7)

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Varieties

Honeoye- This is one of the heaviest producers. This variety is a great variety to grow in raised beds or in containers because it is widely adapted. Honeoye produces large, firm, red fruit. (This is an early season plant) Earliglow- Earliglow strawberries are another early season variety. These produces medium to large berries that are great for canning due to their sweet flavor. These are also very resistant to common strawberry diseases.

Allstar- Allstar strawberries are early season. It produces large strawberries that are great for eating fresh or freezing. Plants are very resistant to common strawberry diseases.

Ozark Beauty- This is the most popular variety of strawberry. It’s popularity stems from it’s large yields of unusually large strawberries. They produce one early season crop and then they also produce a second crop later in the season.

Jewel- Jewel strawberries are probably going to be the variety that you purchase at the pick-your-own farms. It has a longer season and yields more berries that have excellent flavor.

Seascape- Seascape are tolerant to early heat and requiring less chilling. This is a good choice if you are living on the East Coast. This variety is also very resistant to viral diseases.

Tristar- Tristar berries will produce all summer long and into the late summer early fall. These berries are sweet and great for freezing and eating fresh. Tristar is great for hanging baskets and container gardening.

Sparkle- Sparkle berries are highly known for making jam and have been a favorite for over 60 years. It is a variety that produces a high number of strawberries. Planting Sparkle with other earlier varieties extends the fresh fruit season.

Surecrop- Surecrop will produce early season. These are ideal for canning and are easy to grow even in dry soil.

Fort Laramie- Fort Laramie is a great choice for hydroponic strawberries. They produce large fruits and is a very hardy plant.

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When to grow

From zone 6 northward, strawberries are best planted in spring. Containers can be replanted in late summer and moved to a cool place during the cooler months.

From zone 7 southward, strawberries can be planted in the fall.

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Growing from seeds

Growing strawberries from seed entail a little more work than purchasing an already established plant. Growing from a seed requires that you start the seeds indoors to give them a little more attention than placing them outside. You will want to prepare starter kits in either purchased trays or whatever you choose to start your seedlings in. Place strawberry seed in medium moist soil and then continue to water until plant germinates. Strawberries will take several weeks to germinate.

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Water, Feed, Placement

Strawberries needs lots of sun, they need at least 8 hours of full sun a day. Since strawberries produce offspring, it is recommended that they are planted 18” apart, to give those off springs area to grow. Strawberries need moist soil to thrive, it is best to place mulch on top of the soil to keep the soil moist. When watering try to keep moisture off the leaves, to prevent fungal diseases.

Strawberry flowers can be pollinated by bees, some gardeners will pinch off the first blossoms of the strawberry plants to help direct the early growth. Strawberries need plenty of nutrients, so be sure to feed your plants with either compost or compost team after planting and harvesting. At the end of the season, (depending on where you live), late fall, cut down your plants to encourage growth in the spring.

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Pest/Diseases

Slugs- Slugs are more likely to come if you use organic mulches such as straw. Plastic mulches are encouraged if you are having a slug problem. I prefer not to use plastic mulches, and will use Neem oil to discourage slugs.

Fungal Diseases- in late summer your plants my start to show signs of fungal diseases. The best way to keep them from your plants it trim down the lower foliage and keep them away from the plant. Raking and removing the excess leaves under the plant can also help.

Birds- Birds are another pest that can be damaging to your strawberry crop. You can cover your strawberries with a lightweight bird netting to keep the birds away.

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Growing in Containers

It’s best to grow strawberries in large barrels or large containers with slightly acidic soil. Some ideas for growing strawberries in containers include:

• Rain gutters

• Hanging pots

• Raised beds

• A strawberry tower

If you are planting your strawberries in containers it is okay to plant them closer together than you would in the ground. (10-12 inches apart). Containers needs to have proper drainage at the bottom, you can place pebble rock to increase drainage. When your growing in containers, you will want to follow all the water, feed, and placement guidelines. At the end of the season you can cut down your plants to encourage more growth next year.

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Harvesting & Storage

Pick strawberries in the morning, and immediately put them in the refrigerator. Wait until just before you eat them to rinse and cut the berries. Extra berries can be frozen, dried, or made into jam or preserves.

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Do you enjoy strawberries? Are you growing them? I’d love to hear from you.

Happy Growing!