The goal here at Strawberry Plants .org is to spread the passion for strawberries far and wide. The vision is to see the number of home gardeners growing strawberries increase, to see the number of people appreciating strawberry recipes including this remarkable culinary berry increase, and to see the number of folks benefiting from the many healthful qualities of strawberries rise exponentially.
Because of the love for all things strawberry that abounds here, and the dedication to spread the joy, I do my best to answer questions from sincere folks. Answering questions about strawberries helps strawberry growers grow in confidence. So, this site is a place where you can come for strawberry-related help. I do my best to answer all legitimate questions, but sometimes it takes me a while to respond. So, previous questions that have been asked and answered (as well as future questions and answers) are going to be provided here (and added as they are asked in the future).
So, before submitting a new question, briefly check the previously answered questions to see if your concern has been addressed. Also, don’t forget that this site has a search function. Just type a few words related to your question in the box at the top right of this page, and see if you can find the answer to your question that way.
In order to facilitate the archiving of questions, each question is placed in a category. The first table below contains the categories. Each link within the category will take you to another table where the individual questions are. Clicking on each question will take you to a page where that question is asked and the strawberry answers are given. Without further ado, let the questions begin…
Strawberry Questions & Answers: Categories
Questions About Growing Strawberries
Questions About the Strawberry Plant
Questions About Buying Strawberry Plants
| South Africa Strawberry Plants? | Native Japanese Strawberry Varieties? |
| What Are Strawberry Plants? | Buy Strawberry Plants for Spring Planting? |
Questions About Strawberry Varieties
Other Questions About Strawberry Plants or Strawberries
What is the best variety of strawberry to produce commercially in a tropical climate such as Jamaica?
I live in NH (zone 5). I have 2x 5foot window boxes(actually deck railing)with first year ‘Seascape Plants. How should they be prepared to overwinter ? They are planted in MiracleGro moisture Cntrl Mix
Thank you
billt
Robert,
Unfortunately, none of them. For the temperate strawberry plants to produce in tropical climates, you will need to invest a great deal into creating artificially cool and climate-controlled environment in which they can thrive. Generally, the ROI does not support the infrastructure or operating costs. But, if you figure out how to do it economically, let me know!
Bill,
One of the easiest ways to overwinter your plants is to simply remove the window boxes and put them in your garage. Usually, the temperatures in the garage won’t drop so low that the plants move from dormancy into death, especially if they are placed next to the internal wall. If you do that, though, make sure that you do not allow the soil to dry out completely as that will be a sure-fire killer.
Are pineberry plants available in Northern Ireland
I live in zone 7b. Last year I finally got some Mignonette berries – and they were amazing! This year, I was debating about planting more strawberries – Italian Alpine from seed, and Quinault from the story. What stops me, however, is that I am concerned that if I have more than one type in my garden, they will hybridize with each other and sort of pollute the coolness of the original. What’s the score there? Just stick to the one?
I was considering transplanting the strawberries into a large pot, since they don’t really runner that much and I want to make sure that they get the best soil possible (red clay is not heaven for anything. I often put a basil plant with my tomatoes – could I put a borage in a pot of strawberries or would they be too competitive?
Mary,
I’m not aware of any in-country suppliers of pineberries in Northern Ireland. However, you may be able to get some shipped to you from the European providers linked on the Pineberry Pineberries page. Good luck!
Jason,
I wouldn’t worry about the cross-pollination. It should not be a big problem, especially with the Quinault. And, borage helps strawberry plants, so it is ok to plant them together as long as they aren’t too crowded.
I am interested in growing strawberries in a greenhouse striving for sales during the field strawberry off-season. Can you provide information on light requirements and what size pot would be needed to grow healthy productive plants? I am looking at planting Chandlers. Suggestions on which type would be most productive in a greenhouse setting?
iris,
Most strawberries respond to the quantity of light they receive. If you are going to be growing strawberries in the off season, I would steer clear of Chandlers, unless you live in the south. You may want to consider a hydroponic system with Tribute or Tristar day-neutral plants. Good luck!
I have raised beds with bottoms on them and hole for drainage.Is this ok? Can I put black plastic over the dirt and just dig a hole for the berries?
sandra,
The raised beds will work just fine as long as you have appropriate soil and the drainage holes function well enough to keep the soil from remaining soggy or water-logged. You can put black plastic over the dirt and plant the strawberries in holes you poke (this is called Plasticulture when done commercially). If you elect that method, be sure to install a drip tape or other irrigation under the plastic. Otherwise, the plants will dry out and die out. Good luck!
where is the pictures of showing how to use matt or hill system by yearly rotations? I couldn’t find them! What happened to them?
Olivia,
I think you may be referring to the system found here: Transplanting Strawberries.
we live in upstate NY and it is getting ready to frost, how do I prepare my strawberry plant for winter ? I started it last May and it is thriving, very healthy looking. Do I put something over the plant to help it survive winter out doors or should I dig it up from outside and bring it in doors or do I leave it outside uncovered ?
Thank you
Lisa
Lisa Hall,
See these pages: Growing Strawberries, Overwintering Strawberries. Good luck!
Just an update on Growing Strawberries in tropical islands like Jamaica. Yes, it can be done at altitudes above 2,000.
Further up date on strawberries in Jamaica .
I have strawberries flowering and fruiting in Long Mtn St Andrew and it is below 2000.
Hi,
Over the past couple years, I have started gardening, and this year I thought I would try some strawberries! I live in West Virginia, and I bought local strawberry plants that are june-bearing. My husband bought me the Topsy Turvy Strawberry Planter, which grows them upside down. I have been reading some on this site, and my question is… If I plant them in the Topsy Turvy, and keep them outside in the sun all spring and summer, could I store the plant in our garage for the winter? That way it would keep the plant out of the snow and frost, but would still get the cold temperature in the winter? I’m not exactly sure if that would work, so I was hoping that someone might be able to help me. Also, since my plants are June-bearing, what else do I need to do to the plants, lets say july-sept? Just water them like normal plants? and how much would I need to water them in the winter? Thanks for your help, I’m excited to start growing some STRAWBERRIES!
Melinda,
Congratulations on taking the plunge and growing strawberries this year! These posts on the Topsy Turvy, Growing Strawberries, and Overwintering Strawberries should answer the questions you posed and help you be successful. Good luck!
Hello,
I have finally gotten up the courage to start my own balcony garden this year, and everything appeared to be going well for all my plants. The tomatoes are producing well, the peppers are growing quickly, herbs are strong, etc. However, my strawberries are giving me trouble. I haven’t noticed any visible issues with the plant’s health ever since bringing it home from Home Depot, but the berries themselves are a different story. They look fine, but when I harvested them (they were a beautiful almost blood red without any lighter spots on them) the problem became apparent. The fruit looks wonderful, but there is literally no sweetness to any of them. Do you have any idea what could be causing this issue?
Serena,
Sugar production typically occurs simultaneously with Vitamin C production. Read more here. Good luck!
Hi my fellow Jamaican farmers
I would love to plant some strawberries in my backyard garden but i cannot seem to get any suckers/young plants to buy.
Anyone of you here have any on sale?
Phil,
There is a list of suppliers here: Buy Strawberry Plants. Good luck!
do i remove all the dead plants and dried leaves from bed in spring
nona,
Yes, if they haven’t been removed, they should be. Accumulation of dead leaves and other vegetative detritus can provide fungal pathogens a place to flourish. Good luck!
I thought I’d have a go at growing runner beans this year I’ve never grown anything before) and the Wife wanted to have a go at strawberries. A lot of people I know grow their own beans, so I’m not short of advice on that front, but when the subject of strawberries arises I see a lot of blank faces. Anyway what I need to know is what do I do when the plants flower. I read the item posted about what to do if the plants were bought on line, but mine came from a garden center who specialise in strawberries.
Steve Martin,
If the flowers were planted last fall, you don’t need to do anything. Just let them grow and enjoy your strawberries! If they were planted this spring, it is best to pinch or snip off the flowers this first year to help increase production for subsequent years. I’d recommend reviewing this reference page for more help: Growing Strawberries. Good luck!
I got a good crop of strawberries at the beginning of the season now I have plants which look healthy but no blossoms or they blossoms die before forming strawberries what is the problem and how do I rectify it?
Susan bunn,
More than likely, you purchased a June-bearing variety (what most retailers/nurseries offer). If so, nothing is wrong! June-bearing strawberries produce one large crop toward the beginning of the season (usually) and then don’t produce the rest of the year, except for a few random berries. If you want strawberries all summer long, you should buy a day-neutral or everbearing variety. Learn more on the Strawberry Varieties page, and good luck!