The time of planting strawberries completely depends on your location and the kind of strawberry, that you want to plant. It also depends on the way, that you want to plant your strawberries. So I will try to give a short answer and then I will follow this answer up with a very in-depth answer that will cover all relevant aspects.
So when to plant strawberries? Generally, the best time to plant strawberries is right after the last frost between March and April. The exact time will vary depending on the growing zone, that you are located in.
The United States Agricultural Department has come up with the perfect times for cultivating strawberries. The ideal time is based on the growing zone. Furthermore, these growing zones are suitable for both container planting and ground beds. These zones are:
- Zone 3 and 4. If you are within these zones, you should consider planting from early May all the way to mid-May.
- Zone 5. Within this zone, it is best to plant from early April to early May.
- Zone 6. It is best to plant during early March to mid-April for individuals within this zone.
- Zone 7. You should consider planting from December all the way to the beginning of April
- Zone 8. For an individual within this area, it is best to plant from December to mid-March.
- Zone 9 and 10. It is best to plant from December through to February for individuals within these zones.
The perfect time for planting strawberries is in early spring after the last frost; this period lies between March and April. However, this will highly differ depending on the type of strawberries you will be planting. The common ones are bare root strawberry crowns, dormant, or a transplant, which often feature leaves.
When planting dormant crowns, the ideal time is in the late winter all the way to early spring. You should ensure that the night temperature is always above 25 degrees Fahrenheit. Some areas will have frozen ground during winter; therefore, you should try to make it free from freezing before cultivation. Furthermore, late spring frosts will not have any harm on the dormant crowns.
The ideal season for cultivating leafy transplant strawberries is in spring. These strawberries often appear in the market for sale in late spring. You should establish this plant before the heatwave of summer arrives in order to increase its chances of survival. You should note that late spring frost can possibly harm the leaves and the growing crowns.
Beating the Calendar
It is advisable to plant your strawberries before the recommended time by tucking them in a container. Before you begin ground bedding, you can plant your strawberries in pots, hanging baskets as well as the traditional strawberry jar.
By doing this, you will be able to get away with planting earlier and achieve great success. By performing early planting, you will be able to escape the risks of frost on your strawberries by transferring your pot into a well-protected setting like a garage or covered porch.
The only exception is when you plant your strawberries in a vertical garden like the FloraFelt planting pocket. Usually, when you plant your strawberry in a vertical planter, they will grow in little soil hence developing limited protection against the cold for the leaves or roots.
Therefore, it is ideal if you wait for the right time to plant or the panting window in order to create a living wall of strawberries.
When is it too Late to Plant Strawberries?
Once the summer heat arrives, it is considered too late to start planting strawberries.
It might be possible; however, your plants will require an ample supply of moisture, meaning you will have to water it on a daily basis, depending on the outside temperature.
Most gardeners prefer carrying strawberries during the ideal time of planting; this means that you will not purchase any plant once summer arrives.
What Options are There for Late Planting?
If it is late to plant strawberries and you would like to have your own organic strawberry, there is a way you can tackle this situation. Here are some essential ways of planting strawberry successfully in late-season;
· You might as well consider planting it in a greenhouse. Here, you will be able to have full control over all environmental as well as micro-eco-system from nutrients to water, wind, temperature, humidity, and pests. This means that you can plant your strawberries throughout the year if you love to.
· Planting in containers or hanging baskets. This method is relatively easy; furthermore, your strawberries become portable and can be moved indoors during the intense summer heat. You can still water them with the utmost ease.
· During the first year, you should consider pinching off any blossoms. When you do this, the nutrients will be directed to the roots enhancing the development of the roots and not the fruit. This can be done even past bloom dates.
· You should consider planting day-neutral or everbearing strawberries since they feature long harvesting periods. The day-neutral strawberries are often produced until October.
· You should not plant it at all. You should consider purchasing plants that are mature and that are already in containers or hanging baskets.
How Many Types of Strawberries are There?
There is an array of different strawberry varieties; however, there are only three different categories available. Each strawberry features different products as well as a growing pattern. These three different categories are;
- · Everbearing
- June-bearing
- Day-neutral
The June-bearing strawberries produce only once per year, often within the month of June. Its production will stop in July.
On the other hand, the Everbearing strawberries will produce twice a year, during June and late summer. Lastly, the Day-neutral strawberries will bloom and bear fruit throughout the summer; however, it will require optimum temperature for it to be successful.
Their productions, at times, go all the way to October.
How to Take Care of Your Strawberries When Plating Indoors?
Usually, planting your strawberries indoors is considered to be the most comfortable option for some individuals. When planting your strawberries indoors, you will have full control of some environmental factors that might affect their growth.
These environmental factors include; light, temperature, and water, among other essential aspects.
When you consider growing your strawberries indoors, the first thing you should keep in mind is the amount of space and the category of strawberry you would like to plant.
You might consider practicing space-saving ideas such as planting your strawberries in a strawberry pot or containers from the ceiling. However, you should not overcrowd your plants to avoid the risk of mold development or increasing susceptibility to diseases.
When practicing indoor planting, the key ingredient you should be keeping in mind is exposure to sunlight. Whether you are practicing indoor planting or ground bedding, strawberries will require a minimum of six hours of exposure to sunlight per day.
Varieties of Strawberries to Plant Indoors
Whenever you are looking for promising strawberry houseplant varieties, there are only two wide varieties available, which are the June and the everbearing strawberries. The everbearing strawberries are capable of producing berries more than twice in a year when the right conditions are met.
The best cultivar that is ideal for cultivating strawberries indoors is the Alpine strawberry. This cultivar maintains a clumping habitat more than range, which is suitable for individuals with limited space for strawberry planting.
Moreover, you can as well begin strawberry houseplant from seed. This is highly applicable for individuals who want to freeze their seeds for approximately two to four weeks in order to jump-start their germination process.
The Ideal Way of Caring for Strawberries Indoors
Strawberries can be planted almost on anything when the right conditions are met; this is due to their shallow root system. All you will require in order to achieve a great harvest is having the correct soil, ample light supply, and water. Usually, strawberries that grow in containers will require a soil pH of 5.6 to 6.3.
You should have a controlled release fertilizer irrespective of the strawberry’s container depth. You should be applying fertilizer at least once per month, ensuring you have a standard potassium-rich fertilizer until the plant begins to flower.
Once the flowering process commences on your plant, it is best to apply fertilizer after every ten days until you harvest your strawberries.
Always get rid of runners before you start planting your strawberry houseplant; moreover, you should trim as well as get rid of old leaves and trim all the roots to approximately 4 to 5 inches. Once this is done, soak the roots for at least one hour and then plant your strawberries, ensuring the crown is equal to the soil surface. Furthermore, the root system should fan out.
When planting your strawberries indoors, it is best to remove the blossoms within the first six weeks after planting. By doing this, you will give your plant ample time to establish before it starts expanding its energy to fruit production.
It is best to assess your strawberries on a regular basis when practicing indoor plantation. Always ensure that water content is at the correct level to prevent your plant from drying out. You should never forget that strawberries are fruits that love water; however, not in excess.
Final Words
It is essential always to remember that planting your strawberry during the ideal time is only but half the battle. Moreover, you should keep in mind that the last frost often has no significant damage to your strawberry plant.
When commencing on strawberry planting, it is best to select the right cultivar ideal for your region or area.
