How to Grow and Care for Strawberries Fruit Plant
The garden strawberry (or basically strawberry; Fragaria × ananassa) is a broadly developed hybrid species of the genus Fragaria, collectively known as the strawberries, which are developed worldwide for their fruits. The fruit is generally admired for its standard smell, bright red color, juicy texture, and sweetness. It is eaten in significant amounts, either fresh or in such prepared foods as jam, juice, pies, ice creams, milkshakes, and chocolates. Strawberries are born in the temperate areas of the Northern Hemisphere, and cultivated varieties are broadly developed all through the world. The fruits are sufficient in vitamin C and are generally eaten fresh as a dessert fruit, are utilized as a pastry or pie filling. Strawberry shortcake, made of fresh strawberries, sponge cake, and whipped cream, is a conventional American sweet.
Assortments of Strawberries
- June bearing strawberries – Any list of strawberry varieties will likely contain more June-bearing strawberries than some other. June bearers are an extremely well-known variety of strawberries. Most June bearers produce strawberries in the largest amount, and they do so in around two to three weeks. However, strawberry assortments are additionally grouped into Early Season, Midseason and late season. June bearing strawberries are frequently of the Garden Strawberry assortment (Fragaria x ananassa). June bearing strawberries are regularly planted utilizing the matted row system.
- Everbearing strawberries – Everbearing strawberries aren’t generally “everbearing.” Mainly, they produce two harvests every year: one in the spring and another in the pre-fall or fall. Under perfect conditions, it is feasible for some everbearing assortments to deliver three berry harvests. Most everbearing strawberry types are additionally Fragaria x ananassa hybrids. However, some are of the species Fragaria vesca. As a rule, everbearing varieties put out fewer runners than the June bearing varieties, as the greater part of the plant’s productive energy is directed toward delivering numerous strawberry harvests. Everbearing strawberries are regularly planted utilizing the hill system or in areas where space is restricted.
- Day-neutral strawberries– Day-neutral strawberry plants are one of a kind. Not at all like June bearing varieties, day-neutral strawberries will create a decent yield in the primary year they are planted. They bloom and set strawberries whenever the temperature is somewhere in the range of 35 and 85 degrees. They will still be delivering fruits in October during milder years. The disadvantage of day-neutral strawberry plants is that they produce smaller strawberries than the June bearing and everbearing strawberry varieties. Their fruit is normally small to medium in size, rarely exceeding one inch. Day-neutral strawberry assortments are often planted utilizing the hill system or in areas where space is restricted.
How to Grow Strawberries
- Plant strawberries in spring or fall, depending on your developing zone.
- Give strawberries space for runners by planting them 18 inches apart.
- Give your native soil a boost by blending in a few inches of aged compost or another rich organic matter.
- Give plants 1 to 1.5 inches of water week by week, and abstain from wetting the leaves.
- Harvest the ripe strawberries in the cool like in the morning and refrigerate them immediately.
Soil Requirements
Strawberries prefer somewhat acidic soils with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. Too low pH values may require the use of ground limestone to improve the pH of more acidic soils.
Water Requirements
Strawberry plants require regular water to flourish, particularly during the fruit-bearing season, when they need a normal of 1-2 inches of water day by day. An ideal approach to water strawberries is to use drip or soaker hose positioned at least two inches away from the plant. Strawberry roots are shallow, so keep the soil wet, however not soggy. If soil is high in clay, be very cautious so as not to over-water. Use the sprinkler water system cautiously.
Light
Even though soil conditions and other factors can significantly fruit production, strawberry plants that develop in full sun produce better quality fruits over those that get partial sun. To get the utmost produce from your strawberry plants, you should plant them in a region that receives direct daylight for at least 10 hours a day.
Fertilizer
Strawberries are not heavy feeders but can benefit from an application of fertilizer 6 weeks after planting. Use ammonium sulfate or a concentrated organic fertilizer such as fish, feather, or bone meal at a rate of ½ pound per 100 square feet.
The accurate answer to this question depends on the storage condition and how ripe the berries were when they were purchased. If you want your berries to last long, you should keep them refrigerated at all times. This way, your strawberries can last for five to seven days. If you keep your berries in the freezer as soon as you get them, they can last for a year as well.
Full of vitamins, fiber, and especially significant levels of antioxidants known as polyphenols, strawberries are a sodium-free, fat-free, without cholesterol, low-calorie food. They are among the best 20 fruits in antioxidant ability and are a decent source of manganese and potassium. Only one serving – around eight strawberries – gives more vitamin C than an orange.
The plant spacing depends on the kind of strawberries. June-bearing strawberries ought to be planted 18 to 24 inches apart in rows spaced 4 feet apart. Runners will develop and root freely to form a matted row around 2 feet wide. Everbearing and day-neutral strawberries are normally planted in beds comprising of 2 or 3 rows, keeping 1 foot apart. A 2-foot-wide way should segregate the beds. Any runners that develop on everbearing and day-neutral strawberries ought to be eradicated, and the plants maintained as large single plants.
Since the tiny and excellent red berries are nutritious and tasty, we need to see more individuals build up an affection for developing strawberry plants and eating the flavorful and sweet strawberries they produce!
