Table of Contents
Alabama strawberry plants should be set in the ground in the months of September or October so they become established before the spring growing season. Select a planting location for the strawberries that has well-draining soil with a high organic content.
Is it too late to plant strawberries in Alabama?
There are a few different types of strawberry plants — spring bearing, June bearing and everbearing. In Alabama, the June bearing plants thrive best. Planted through October, June bearing plants produce the stems and flowers during the cool weather of late fall and throughout the winter.
What month is best to plant strawberries?
Strawberries are best planted in the spring, as early as several weeks before the last frost date. By selecting a range of strawberry varieties you can spread your harvest from late spring through to early fall.
Do strawberries grow good in Alabama?
In Alabama’s humid summers, early varieties of strawberries do better, as they are susceptible to mold and mildew. Select strawberry plants from a reputable source. Cardinal and Earliglow are two varieties of strawberries that thrive in Alabama’s humid climate.
How long does it take for strawberries to grow fully?
Strawberries grown from seed will take between 160-210 days to grow strawberries. It’s common for strawberry seeds to be started indoors. In the north where I live strawberries get started indoors around February and then transplanted outside in April or May.
What do you do with strawberry plants at the end of the season?
The old straw is the perfect hiding place for pests such as slugs, so is best removed and composted or disposed of. Next work along the rows in your bed tidying up the strawberry plants by removing any dead or dying leaves. This frees room for new leaves to grow, creating a leafy, healthy plant for over-wintering.
Can I plant strawberries in April?
Best Time to Plant Strawberries The ideal time to plant strawberries is after the threat of frost is past in early spring, usually March or April.
When can I put strawberry plants outside?
They prefer to be planted in full sun, out of the wind. Plants can be planted outdoors from late June until September. If planted later, the flowers should be removed in the first year so the energy is used to develop a healthy plant in year two. Strawberry plants can produce fruit for five or six years.
How many strawberries do you get per plant?
Strawberry plants typically produce between 2 and 10 runners per plant in a season, however, around 5 to 7 per plant is most common according to the study by Purdue University.
How do you grow strawberry plugs?
We recommend at least 5% of the soil be composted with peat moss or compost. Once the location is prepared, you are ready to start planting your strawberry plugs. Space your plugs 12-18 inches apart in the row; optimal row spacing is 3-4 ft. Set the plants in the row with the root ball facing straight down.
How do Cardinal strawberries grow?
Growing Cardinal Strawberry Plants: Conditions Like most strawberry varieties, Cardinal strawberry plants prefer full sun and require moist, well-drained soil. Cardinal strawberries do best growing in soil within a pH in the range of 5.6 to 6.5. If rainfall is not sufficient, regular watering will be required.
How do you grow strawberries from seeds?
Keep them indoors in a well-lighted room and in direct sunlight, if possible. In two to three weeks, the strawberry seeds should germinate. Keep the soil moist well-lighted. Warmth can help the seeds germinate, so the top of a refrigerator or on a bottom heat pad can be suitable places for germination.
Do strawberries produce fruit the first year?
When growing everbearing strawberries, plants will generally start to produce fruit within their first growing season. However, the first year’s fruiting may be more sporadic and sparse. Strawberry plants also produce less berries with age.
How often should strawberries be watered?
Watering. Strawberry plants need regular water to thrive, especially during fruit bearing season, when they need an average of 1-2 inches of water daily. The best way to water strawberries is to use drip or soaker hose placed at least two inches away from the plant.
Can you harvest strawberries the first year?
While you can harvest first-year strawberry plants, you’ll have a better harvest if you wait until the second year when the plants have time to mature.
Do strawberries grow best in sun or shade?
Strawberries need at least 8 hours of full sun each day, and they prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.8.
How do you take care of strawberries for the first year?
In the first year, pick off blossoms to discourage strawberry plants from fruiting. If not allowed to bear fruit, they will spend their food reserves on developing healthy roots instead, which is a good thing. The yields will be much greater in the second year. Eliminate runner plants as needed.
What is the best place to plant strawberries?
When planting strawberries, choose a spot with full sun. In warm regions, try to provide morning sun with some shade protection during the hottest part of the day. Soil should have excellent drainage.
How do you winterize strawberries?
To winterize strawberry plants in a pyramid, apply mulch 6 to 8 inches deep. Wrap large strawberry pots or barrels with burlap and/or bubble wrap and stuff the top opening with straw 6 to 8 inches deep. Move strawberry jars into an unheated garage for winter. Remove winterizing mulch in spring as growth resumes.
Should I cut my strawberry plants back for winter?
Cutting back plants after they have completed fruiting helps regenerate new growth for the following year’s crop. And by doing so in mid-summer, it also allows them enough time to grow a bit of foliage for winter protection. June bearing strawberries should be cut back in July after their harvest.
