How To Grow Strawberries

The first thing you will want to do is pick the type of strawberries you want to grow.  It might be helpful to know your growing zone by going to  https://www.groworganic.com/pages/what-is-my-growing-zone and put in your zip code.  This will help you determine when to plant and varieties that grow best in your area.

It can get complicated fast as there are scientific names and common names and cultivators can create their own unique scientific names for their type of strawberries. It's worth noting that there are many different cultivars of strawberries within each of these three types, and each cultivar may have its own unique scientific name. 

Here are the scientific names of the three main types of strawberries, along with a brief explanation of each:

June-bearing strawberries: The scientific name for June-bearing strawberries is Fragaria x ananassa. This is a hybrid species that was created by crossing two wild strawberry species, Fragaria virginiana and Fragaria chiloensis. The "x" in the name indicates that it is a hybrid species.  Also known as "traditional" strawberries, June-bearers produce a single crop of berries each year, usually in late spring or early summer. They tend to have a concentrated fruiting period of about 2-3 weeks, during which they produce a large yield of high-quality berries. June-bearers are generally the most common and popular type of strawberry, and they come in many different varieties.

Everbearing strawberries: The scientific name for everbearing strawberries is Fragaria vesca var. semperflorens. Fragaria vesca is the wild strawberry species from which all cultivated strawberries are derived, and the "var. semperflorens" indicates that this is a variety of that species that is everbearing.  Everbearing strawberries produce two or three crops of berries per year, typically in late spring, early summer, and early fall. They tend to produce smaller berries than June-bearers, but they offer a longer harvesting season. Everbearers are also sometimes called "day-neutral" strawberries because their flowering and fruiting are not affected by day length.

Day-neutral strawberries: The scientific name for day-neutral strawberries is Fragaria x ananassa var. radiance. This is another hybrid species, like June-bearing strawberries, but with a genetic mutation that allows it to flower and fruit continuously throughout the growing season. The "var. radiance" indicates that this is a specific variety of Fragaria x ananassa that has been bred for day-neutral characteristics.  Day-neutral strawberries are like everbearing strawberries in that they produce multiple crops of berries throughout the growing season. However, they are specifically bred to flower and fruit regardless of day length, which means they can produce fruit continuously throughout the summer and into the fall. Day-neutrals tend to have smaller berries than June-bearers, but they are often sweeter and more flavorful.

Now that you have chosen the strawberry varieties that you want to grow, it is time to start planting.

Planting strawberries can be a fun and rewarding activity. Here are some general steps you can follow:

Choose a good location: Strawberries like full sun and well-drained soil. Choose a spot that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight per day and has soil that is rich in organic matter.

Prepare the soil: Before planting, remove any weeds or debris from the area and work the soil to a depth of at least 6 inches. Add compost or other organic matter to improve soil quality.

Plant the strawberries: Dig a hole deep enough to accommodate the roots of the plant and wide enough to spread them out. Place the plant in the hole and cover the roots with soil, making sure the crown (where the stem meets the roots) is at soil level. Space the plants about 12-18 inches apart.

Water and fertilizer: Water the plants well after planting and keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Fertilize the plants every few weeks with a balanced fertilizer.

Maintain the plants: Keep the plants weed-free and remove any runners (long stems that grow from the parent plant) to encourage the plants to produce more fruit. Mulch around the plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Harvest the strawberries: Depending on the variety, strawberries can be ready to harvest about 4-6 weeks after planting. Pick the berries when they are fully ripe and red.

We hope you enjoy growing and eating fresh strawberries right from your own garden.