Planting strawberries
I am having a problem with the simplest of plants : Strawberries. I have been able to grow them from seeds and then transplant them to my garden. However, I can not grow them from dry root plants. I first tried planting them outside, they died. I then tried soaking them for a little while and then planting them in posts, they are dying. They do very well for about a week and then they wilt, the leaves curl in and they die.
There could be a number of problems with planting your strawberries: When buying plants, make sure they are certified virus-free. Protect plant roots from drying out until you can get them into the ground 1. wrap them in plastic and refrigerate or 2. “Heal” them in the soil – dig a furrow deep enough to cover the roots with soil and water. This will work for a few days.
Strawberries need well-drained soil and at least 6 hours of sunlight. When planting make sure they are set in the correct depth and fan out the roots before covering them. Crowns planted too deep will smother and die. Crowns set too high above the soil will dry out. Plant in the spring on a cloudy day or late afternoon, in rich composted soil that holds moisture. The shallow roots get all their moisture and nutrients in the top few inches of the soil. Water after planting – do not let the soil dry out, spread mulch, straw or shredded leaves to keep the soil moist and control weeds. Do not plant strawberries in low-lying frost areas or in wet soil or where solanaceous crops such as tomatoes and peppers have been grown for the last 5 years. This is a source for verticilium wilt which is a deadly disease for strawberries.
Strawberries can also be grown in containers like pots, barrels or growing bags.
I was wondering how long it would take to get a crop from bulbs instead of potted plants. I purchased bags of ten for two dollars each. if I have a lighted green house, and they can grow in pots protected year round what is the most efficent organic way to produce large amounts? How many hours of light before the point of deminishing return is reached and does photo period control fruiting and how? Thankyou from one berry lover to another!
Hi, My husband just bought me two hanging strawberries. We hung them on the front porch but I have a couple of questions. 1)Can I take shooters off the plant to form new plants? 2)The pots are a sort of peat/cardboard. Will this break down or will it hold up for awhile? 3) There are new shoots that are growing through the sides of the pot. Do I leave these alone? and 4) I read somewhere that I should pinch off the little flowers if I want more strawberries next year. Is this true? Thank you for your help. I’m new at this.
I have strawberries in hanging bags, how soon do i put them out of the basement i have had them in all winter. (they have been watered over the winter but not fertilized). I live in Soutern part of PA.
Hello,
I have had a strawberry plant for approximately 4-5 years. It has done really well in a pot and has actually sent out shooters from which I’ve gotten a couple more strawberries. Unfortunately, the plant rarely gives fruit, and when it does, they are very small. Is there a specific organic strawberry fertilizer I can use to get larger fruit or a different way I can treat the plant? Right now it gets sun all day and is of course not producing now that it is winter. Would it do better planted in the ground? I didn’t see this anywhere else on the site but I am new here so maybe I wasn’t looking in the right place. Thanks for any help! 🙂
2007-7-19
Joey
QUESTION: I have wild strawberry plants growing in my garden. I know wildlife eats the berries (had a box turtle last year) but will the wild strawberry plants take over my yard? How invasive is the wild strawberry plant?
I planted strawberry plants back in the spring of this year. They bloomed and bore fruit this year. Can you tell me what I need to do to them to keep them from freezing and to make sure they bloom next year. I live in Bristol Tennessee. They are planted in a squared off spot in my back yard. Thank you for your time.