Homegrown Strawberries
Growing Strawberries
Imagine going outside and picking ripe, juicy strawberries fresh from the vine. In California, strawberries can be grown nearly year-round in pots or in the garden. Plant strawberries in spring/early summer and again in late summer/fall in an area that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of sun.
Homegrown strawberries are rich in antioxidants with vitamin C and manganese and are sodium-free, fat-free, cholesterol-free, low-calorie food. They are a favorite for kids and adults and brighten up the flavor in everything from lemonade and pies to salads and salsas.
Strawberry Uses
Strawberries are one of the most versatile fruits. The sweet, juicy berries are delicious by themselves or in just about anything. In the morning, add strawberries to cereal, oatmeal, smoothies or as strawberry jelly on toast. At lunch they are perfect on a salad, popped into lemonade or even in an sandwich. Of course, strawberries are the star of so many desserts from strawberry cheesecake to chocolate covered strawberries.
Types of Strawberries
June Bearing Strawberries
These strawberries produce one large crop making them perfect for making preserves or jelly
Day Neutral Strawberries
They produce smaller quantities of fruit throughout the spring and summer, no matter how much daylight they get. Perfect for those that always want garden fresh strawberries.
Everbearing Strawberries
The perfect choice for those that want strawberries for everything. Everbearing strawberries yield two or three crops of berries during the growing season.
Planting Strawberries in the Garden
Choose an area of the garden that receives full sun; at least 6 to 8 hours. Most strawberries will put out runners so space strawberry plants 12-18 inches apart.
Dig a hole at least twice the size of the strawberry nursery pot. Amend the native soil at a 50/50 ratio with Dr. Earth Home Grown Vegetable Planting Mix. This gives strawberries a great foundation so roots can easily establish and allows for proper drainage. Backfill the hole with half of the amended soil.
Remove the strawberry plant from the nursery pot, and place in the hole. Be sure to set the plants so the roots will be covered in dirt but the crown of the strawberry should be high enough so its exposed to the sun and air.
With the crown above the soil line, fill in with the amended soil gently tapping the soil to remove air pockets.
Add a handful of organic Dr. Earth Root Zone a few inches from the base of the strawberry plants and lightly rack into the soil with your hands. This organic starter fertilizer provides strawberry plants with key nutrients to help the roots establish in their new home preventing transplant shock.
Water thoroughly.
Planting Strawberries in a Pot
Choose a pot for your strawberries that has a drainage hole and place it in an area outside that receives full sun; at least 6 to 8 hours.
Fill the pot at least 2/3 full of Dr. Earth Pot of Gold Potting Soil. This soil will give strawberry plants a great foundation so roots can easily establish and will allow for proper drainage.
Remove the strawberry plant from the nursery pot, and place in the hole. Be sure to set the plants so the roots will be covered in dirt but the crown of the strawberry should be high enough so its exposed to the sun and air. When planting in a strawberry pot, gently place a strawberry plant in each pocket.
With the crown above the soil line, fill in with more Dr. Earth Pot of Gold Potting Soil gently tapping the soil to remove air pockets.
Add a handful of organic Dr. Earth Root Zone a few inches from the base of the strawberry plants and lightly rack into the soil with your hands. This organic starter fertilizer provides strawberry plants with key nutrients to help the roots establish in their new home preventing transplant shock.
Water thoroughly.
Caring for Garden Strawberry Plants
Water is Key
To get large, juicy strawberries its important to keep strawberry plants consistently watered. In the heat of summer, they may need water daily. Strawberry plants will show you they need more water when they start to droop. Be sure to water in the morning between 5am-9am.
Feed Your Strawberries
Feed your strawberry plants with an organic fertilizer like Dr. Earth Home Grow Tomato, Vegetable & Herb fertilizer. This is a people and pet-safe, granular organic fertilizer that should be applied every two months while the strawberry plant is growing and producing flowers and berries.
Harvest Time
Harvest strawberries when they're bright red by snapping or cutting the stems. If you notice white areas around the berry, rotate the fruit on the stem so the pale side faces the sun and fully ripens. Check your patch daily once the berries start to redden so you can snatch up the ripe ones before the birds and bugs get them. Also, if left on the vines past being ripe strawberries will rot.
Eating a sun-warmed strawberry fresh from the garden never gets old. And that is one of the best way to enjoy them because they lose flavor rapidly. If you do have to store them, place unwashed berries in a shallow, breathable container lined with paper towels. Refrigerated berries should last a couple of days. Don't stack many berries on top of each other or you'll end up with a mushy mess.
To lock in flavor, bag your berries after you've washed, dried, and removed their stems, and store them in your freezer. Use your harvest to create delicious summer salads, preserves, ice creams, jams, and desserts.
Strawberry Plant FAQ
Can strawberries be grown in a pot?
Yes! Strawberries can be grown in the garden or a pot. There are even special pots called strawberry pots that have several pockets to plant multiple strawberry plants. When planting strawberries in a pot be sure to use Dr. Earth Pot of Gold Potting Soil. It's formulated to help hold moisture which is important for strawberry plants.
When should I pick the strawberries?
As soon as your strawberries are a nice, even red pick its time to pick them. Do not leave them on the plant as they will rot quickly.
How do I protect my strawberries from birds?
Birds love the taste of strawberries too! When berries start to ripen, cover your strawberry plants with bird netting.
Why are my strawberries so small?
Dry and hot conditions can make berries smaller. Be sure to water your strawberry plants regularly for large, juicy fruit.
