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
| Are Bare Root Strawberries or Strawberry Plant Plugs Better? | Please, Friend, Don't Buy Strawberry Plants on eBay! |
Questions About Strawberry Varieties
| German Strawberry Varieties? | San Andreas Strawberries? |
Other Questions About Strawberry Plants or Strawberries
| Strawberry Serving? | How to Store Strawberries? |
| How Fast Do Strawberries Mold? | Moving Strawberry Plants? |
| Do Deer Eat Strawberries? |
Maria
I read the guide on how to propagate strawberries, but I noticed that cuttings weren’t mentioned. The closest thing to cuttings was division which isn’t quite what I was thinking of. Is it even possible to take a cutting at all and just grow a new strawberry plant from that? I’m thinking of similar to taking a cutting from a basil plant where you cut directly below a node/”knuckle”, strip the leaves, put it in water for a few weeks, and then plant in soil.
Mark welhouse
I’m growing strawberry plants hydroponically the top third of strawberry stays white even as the end two thirds gets overripe and soft what could be the issue?
Joyia
joyia
what is the weight of bare root fully mature strawberry plant and what should be the plant to plant distance
in hydroponic system in green house.
Carmine Indindoli
What about the cloth that you see being used by commercial growers? Does it help with fungus attack through soil contact?
Robert
When should I overwinter my container strawberry in Wisconsin? The leaves are still green.
Joannie Decker
I have had Lycus bug infestation for 2 years and this year was the worst. My strawberries are worse that the year before. The seeds are thick on the bottom of the strawberries, they are misshapen, have small to no berries on my plants. Have I lost my plants now or in the coming seasons?
I’ve tried spraying. I’ve put up yellow sticky papers. I sure wish they had white ones. How close to the ground should I put the papers? I am so disgusted. My plants look incredibly healthy. This is the 3rd year for most of them. HELP
Jaime rucker
I started ferry Morse alpine strawberry seeds well what’s growing looks like dandelion weed what am I growing????
Zwatty
This is my first complete year growing strawberries for my family . I have four different varieties and experimenting on others. My production this year was very good with most varieties. During the growing season the plants appeared to be very healthy and productive. We are in mid June and my plants are starting to look very poor. I have chosen ever bearing varieties . Is it normal for the strawberry plants to look very poor and appear to be dying. How do I protect the plants through the summer months and prepare for next spring.
Melody
Hey! I got a couple of strawberry plants at a nursery, so they were already producing. I’ve already put them in the ground. Some of the strawberries are not really forming correctly-above the seedy part it is already ripening but all the seeds are clumped together on the bottom and you can’t see any fruit because the seeds are so thick. Has anybody seen what/know what I’m trying to describe? I’m not very good at making a picture with my words 😛 Also, I’ve picked pretty much all the strawberries that were on the plants when I got them, but they aren’t flowering any more. Are they just adjusting to being outside and their new environment? Or am I doing something wrong? Thank you to anybody who can help me!
gloria
some of my 2yr old plants are looking yellow and the rest are lush, how can I correct this?
Carol
I have a recent issue where the fruits touching ground start to rot, and the ground is moldy where slug bait was placed. Is it a normal practice to cut off leaves to allow sun and drying? It’s about a 2 foot mound of leaves/plants.
George F.
I live in southwest Montana, which I believe is in growing zone 4. The strawberry varieties that I have are Ozark Beauty and Fort Laramie. The plants are very healthy looking but they do not produce many berries. I keep the runners cut off and water frequently. When I fertilized last year I may have used too much nitrogen causing too much top growth and little fruiting. Any recommendations as to different fertilizer to use to increase fruiting. Thank You
Olivia Narvaez
Hi Mr. Strawberry,
I live in Central California, 94520 zip code, I think is in zone 9. I have built a raised bed 4’x8’x8”. Would you please recommend the best variety of strawberry I can grow and when the strawberry should be planted? Best regards. Olivia
Joe
Help! I am in Tampa, FL and growing Sweet Charlies. First time strawberry planter. Plants appear healthy and vibrant but the berries appear to be splitting.
I have pics but unable to attach.
Mr. Strawberry
Joe,
It might be an uneven watering problem or you could have pests that are feeding on the strawberries. Try sprinkling a liberal amount of diatomaceous earth on the plants to help ward off insects and other creepy crawlies. Good luck!
Richard Ngiam
Hi. I’m growing strawberry under controlled conditions in tropical Malaysia. By controlled conditions, I meant in an air-conditioned room under LED lightings. So far, the strawberries are quite ok (still at experimental stage) but can be easily bruised. How to increase the ‘firmness’ of the strawberry? Thank you.
Mr. Strawberry
Richard Ngiam,
It depends. If the plants are getting all the nutrients they need, you probably can’t do much to firm them up other than picking them before they are fully ripe. Every variety has a different firmness, so if the variety you are growing isn’t firm enough to survive handling, you might want to try a different one. Good luck!
Alicia Wince
Hi I bought some strawberry seeds that comes with the pot and soil I’ve had them in the pot and they’ve sprouted but the stims with tiny leaves and they are short and red they’ve been growing for 2 months what should I do?
Mr. Strawberry
Alicia Wince,
That can happen with seedlings. If they are being grown indoors, they may not be getting enough light. If so, be careful, however, as moving them directly outside will kill them. Gradually increase the amount of light they get each day, starting with about an hour in the early morning (least intense) and gradually increasing the time by about 30 minutes ever other day or so. Good luck!
Vish
Good evening, I have a raised bed full of strawberry plants. I have noticed that all of my plants are producing very big leaves even though many of the plants are different varieties. I have also noticed that on my Rainier strawberry plants, there are small leaves coming out of the stem of the big leaves. These emerging leaves are look healthy, but they are curled up like a funnel with the underside of the leaf showing. (these small leaves are not like normal leaves they come one by one). Please answer soon as possible, Thank You!
Mr. Strawberry
Vish,
That is a normal occurrence, don’t worry! And, good luck!
Reynard
Good evening, please let me know what the possible reasons could be for top fifth op the strawberry stays white and does not turn red? Thank you
Mr. Strawberry
Reynard,
It could be that the strawberries are just not fully ripe and waiting a day or two more before picking will allow them to fully ripen. Also, direct sun exposure can increase the red flush of strawberries. Some that have a large calyx covering the top of the berry may remain white longer. They are safe to eat either way! Good luck!
Raymond Crosbie
Hi,
Last night whilst taking slugs off my strawberry plants I found one on the fruit itself. I didn’t think they ate the fruit also. Do I need to wash them prior to eating then. What to wash them with?
Thanks
Mr. Strawberry
Raymond Crosbie,
Slugs will eat and cause damage to strawberries, so it is a good idea to keep them at bay, if possible. Usually, slug slime won’t cause any illnesses in humans, but it is always good practice to wash them immediately prior to consumption. Clean water works well! Good luck!
Christy
If I buy strawberry plants at Lowe’s, am I supposed to pick off the blooms for the first year and wait till next spring for strawberries?
Mr. Strawberry
Christy,
If they are already-established potted plants, you can usually let those set fruit. If you purchased bare-root plants, the blooms should be plucked. Good luck!
Akuma
Hey so outside of my work we had some strawberries in crop plots, they lasted through the winter without water. I was just curious when we should start watering them again. It’s already March and I feel they need water but I know very little about plants.
Thank you
Akuma
Mr. Strawberry
Akuma,
I’d recommend starting here. Good luck!
Tun
Hello!
I would like to ask a few questions. I am in Myanmar. I want to create job opportunities in our developing country cultivating everbearing strawberry. You are very smart. I love your website. The climate of our region, the town Pain Of Lwin is subtropic, I think. The average temperature is 307’C. Local variety strawberry are successfully planted. I would like to plant everbearing variety and share knowledge the other farmer. I wonder if it is a good idea to order the seeds from aliexpress.com, the China site. I am not sure planting from seed is good or not. Can it be get evebearing plants? Can you advice me please? Shipping from America to Myanmar is difficult, I think. Please reply me.
Mr. Strawberry
Tun,
I have never ordered strawberry seeds from AliExpress and am unsure if they have any quality control measures in place. If they do and you can be sure that you get exactly what you order, I would only order them if you are intending to grow F. vesca or F. virginiana strawberries. The hybrid everbearing strawberries will not grow true from seed, even if the seeds were actually collected from everbearing varieties. Both F. vesca (Alpine) and F. virginiana (N. American Native) strawberries will grow true from seed, but they are much smaller than the commercially-grown hybrids and are more difficult to make commercially successful. Good luck!
Winsorw
Dear Mr. Strawberry,
Could you please explain to me what ‘cull rate’ refers to for strawberries? What does it means when it says ‘variety A has lower cull rate than variety B’?
Thank you again for your time..
Mr. Strawberry
Winsorw,
Cull rate is the percentage or rate at which a particular strawberry variety typically produces strawberries that are not commercially viable. When you go to the store and purchase the packages of strawberries, have you ever noticed that they are all nice and large and generally evenly ripe? Those are all selected for their pretty appearance. Varieties don’t always produce perfect berries, even under ideal growing conditions. Some will be too small, some will ripen too unevenly to include in store-bought packages, etc. The cull rate is the rate at which a variety produces strawberries that are unfit to sell, for whatever reason. If you are a home gardener, you don’t have to worry about the cull rate as much. You’ll eat small ones just as readily as the big ones (at least I will)! Hope that helps, and good luck!
Shiloh
How do I find and be certain that strawberries my family is eating are not GMO.
Mr. Strawberry
Shiloh,
As of right now, I am not aware of any strawberries that are actually genetically modified that are sold in supermarkets or farmers markets. Most are hybrids and are treated with numerous chemical substances (i.e. aren’t organic), so they may pose other issues, depending on your perspectives on such things. However, unlike soy, corn, and other commonly modified crops, strawberries are still non-GMO. Hope that helps!
Ian
If strawberries plants are covered in soil will they grow through next spring
Mr. Strawberry
Ian,
It depends on where you live (i.e. how cold it gets), and how much soil covers the plants. It is not generally a good idea to cover strawberry plants with soil due to the pathogens contained in most soils. Covering the crowns of the strawberry plants with more than a dusting of soil will likely decrease air flow and allow fungi to infect your plants, thus killing them. It is best to use a thick layer of clean straw to cover them during the winter. Good luck!
Hildie
Hi i have purchased a bubbleberry, strasberry and a pineberry from bunnings Australia and I was wondering if they’ll be perennials like a common strawberry or if I’ll only get one season from them. Thanks
Mr. Strawberry
Hildie,
Yes, they will be perennial if you care for them appropriately. Good luck!
Titilayo
Hello Mr strawberry,
I bought a strawberry plant seedling and after 2wksbi haven’t transplanted because I wanted the plant to be strong enough. But I noticed some browning on the edge of some the edge of some leaves, it seems to be spreading inwards to the vein. It has also started on two other leaves. What could be going wrong?
I also notice tiny mounds of soil under the crown leaves of the seedling when I go water them. What causes this?
Mr. Strawberry
Titilayo,
You could have a soil deficiency or a pest problem. Additionally, water imbalance can cause growth problems as well. The best thing to do would be to transplant it and see what happens. It could be that it is just outgrowing its container. Good luck!
candy
I rented a house that’s have strawberries plants I don’t know what kind of plant the seeds are on top can anybody help me
Mr. Strawberry
candy,
Look at the flowers. If they are yellow, they aren’t true strawberries at all, but an imitation strawberry weed. If the flowers are white, they are true strawberries of some sort, but it would be virtually impossible to tell which variety that are. Good luck!
Robin
Hi Mr Strawberry, great site. I live in the North East UK and want to grow alpine strawberries> I would like to have the longest season I can so aim to plant different varieties, seeds I have so far are Mignonette, Pineapple Crush, Regina, Quatro Staggioni and Alexandria. Although not an alpine I also plan to buy some Mara des Bois. Are there any other alpine or day neutral varieties you would reccomend to add to this list? Thanks in advance 🙂
Mr. Strawberry
Robin,
Thanks for the kind words! That list looks great! You might want to consider White Soul as a very popular alpine variety that would make a good addition to the others. You also might want to plant some F. Virginiana with them as well. They aren’t exactly alpine, but do do have a fantastic aroma and taste, just like the alpines do. Being a different species altogether, you might get a bit larger yield by including them in your garden. Good luck!
gloria sheridan
I have a question you may not have heard. Approx. 5 years ago, I inherited 2 pots that had strawberries growing in – this was in northern CA. I put them in the garage and forgot about them. Fast forward and I moved to Florida and set them on the screened patio. They are growing like mad. I gave them a little organic fertilizer (8-8-8). Do you think they will produce anything? It is very exciting.
Mr. Strawberry
gloria sheridan,
Yes, if they are already growing again, they will likely produce for you! However, 5 years old is very old for strawberry plants. I’d not expect a big harvest from plants that old, but you will likely get a few berries. Good luck!
Mike
My strawberry bed has grown very well since we put in it two years ago. The runners have created more plants and have filled up the space we allocated. Should I pinch off the runners between plants? I have heard this will help the plants produce.
Thanks,
Mr. Strawberry
Mike,
Yes, if your bed is overcrowded, you should remove excess plants. A good system for maintaining vigorous plants is discussed here. Good luck!
Lisa
Hi! I wanted to do a stacked milk crate barrel planter, got the idea from a youtube vid. Do you recommend removing the strawberry plants and storing them once they are dormant? or is it ok to just leave them in the crate planter. I live in Los Angeles so our winters don’t go below 30-40. Also, when they are dormant, is the plant suppost to loose all the leaves and look like the way they were bought? Thanks
Mr. Strawberry
Lisa,
If your winters don’t get colder than that, you definitely don’t need to do any specialized storing. They will do just fine staying right in their planters. When they are dormant, the plants will die back to the crowns, and the dead top foliage should be gently removed. In colder areas, the plants should then be protected with mulch, but with the temperatures you noted, the plants won’t suffer any cold damage. Good luck!
Silas
I was spraying round up near my plants and I guess had a little bit of drift now my Strawberry plants have 1 to 3 lime green to yellow green leaves. Will the whole plant die? they look really good other than the couple lime green leaves. It has been about a week thanks
Mr. Strawberry
Silas,
If they haven’t died by this time, they probably won’t. If you have dead or damaged leaves, I would remove them, however. New growth on strawberry plants often looks lighter, even lime, in color. So, I’d be sure that it is not just new growth prior to removing the foliage. Good luck!
Tara
I didn’t cut my plants back last fall, it is now spring and I’ve noticed some fresh growth already starting, it’s still semi cold here in southern Michigan but we had a mild winter and some pretty warm days already. should I cut back all the old plant now and just leave the fresh growth? Or do nothing at all? They are in a raised garden bed. Also last year I grew tomatoes in the raised bed next to the berries and this year I want to turn the whole raised garden into strawberry patch should I take out the soil and put new soil since tomatoes were grown there?
Mr. Strawberry
Tara,
You do run the risk of having pathogens that are common to tomatoes infect your strawberries if you use the same soil. However, it your soil may be pathogen-free as well. I’d balance the risk versus reward verses cost and work that it would take to replace all the soil. If it were me, I would probably risk it if I had separate beds. The plants planted where the tomatoes were may end up dying if the soil is infected, BUT, you’ll still have the strawberries from last year, and I would hate to spend the time actually replacing all the soil. But, if you want to be safe, that is what should be done. Good luck!
Ron Plasse
On this website, companion plants, it states strawberries shouldn’t be planted in the same place or close (?) to some other vegetables such as tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers. How far away can peppers be planted from strawberries, 6 inches, 2 feet, 15 feet, etc.? Or simply not in the same place where those plants were in the past years?
Mr. Strawberry
Ron Plasse,
You should keep them completely separate due to the risk of infecting your strawberry plants with deadly pathogens often carried by those plants and their soil. Good luck!
Terriann
We had a beautiful crop of strawberries last year. But this year they are not ripening and losing thier seeds. We have grown them in our garden and have netting over them to protect them from birds. We have feed them the same as last year.
And still nothing. Bery dis
Alyberry
Hi
Which soil is best for planting strawberries?
Mr. Strawberry
Alyberry,
That is covered here! Good luck!
Joan major
Our strawberries are being eaten by some pest (not human) anybody know what could be happening?
Lynn
Help! I’ve tried to find info on my strawberries being invaded by a small worm but can’t find any. Can you help? I live in Northern Michigan and planted organic ever bearing strawberries in 2013. They were doing good till last year when they got a fungus that left a lot of the berries with mold. I cleaned up patch by cutting off brown leaves but this year I have brought in berries that have a small worm in them! What is it? Are the berries still safe to eat? Eewwww.
SharonC
I have been growing strawberries in a south facing bed for several years in central New Mexico. This year due to the increased rainfall I had a great crop in June. Now in September they are bearing again but as they ripen they get “spongy”. I don’t see unusual pests or mold. What would make them “spongy”? It happens just as they get ripe, sl. yellow ones are still firm.
Mr. Strawberry
SharonC,
It is most likely a result of the environmental conditions. However, soil deficiencies or over-ripening can also result in softer fruit. Good luck!
John Warner
I started to grow strawberries in a green house this year and I am wondering how to go about winterizing them? I live in Grand Rapids, MI.
Mr. Strawberry
John Warner,
See here! Good luck!
David
I planted dormant strawberries–2 weeks ago— neglected to spread the roots– should I dig up and spread them now?
Mr. Strawberry
David,
No, I’d leave them in the ground. If they are growing successfully, they should do fine. Good luck!
Zeke
I live in Santa Fe, NM (6b) and I grow Seascape and Quinault. The bed is two years old, and it was constructed using a sheet composting method with a wheat straw mulch. It is on a drip system with (hard) well water, and the soil should have fairly high N and Fe content. Last year, both varieties had moderate to severe chorosis in the late spring, although most of the plants bounced back as the summer progressed. First year production was not great, though the plants came through the winter in decent shape. I am now seeing a repeat of the late spring chlorosis. Any suggestions?
Mr. Strawberry
Zeke,
I’d recommend testing the pH of your soil. If you soil is alkaline, reactions can occur that can negatively affect chloroplast formation and result in chlorosis, even if plenty of iron is available. If you soil pH is over 7, amending it with acidic additives might very well solve your problem. Good luck!
Deborah F.
Help! My strawberries plants produced decent fruits for the first two years, but now they produce small, vibrant red berries that are completely tasteless and riddled with grainy, pronounced seeds on the exterior. What happened? Do I need to buy new plants, or is there a soil amendment that will “cure ” this?
Mr. Strawberry
Deborah F.,
It does sound as if something is wrong. I’d recommend reviewing this page to see if you can identify what you need to do. Good luck!
Serina
Hi
I need some help on my strawberry seedlings. I have sprouted some seedlings and they are so tiny to handle (is it normal that its leave is 0.1mm in size?). Should I just leave it in the tray until it gets bigger or should I pot it again to individual pot? Your advise is much appreciated.
Regards
Serina
Mr. Strawberry
Serina,
You should leave it in the sprouting tray until it is big enough to handle safely. Good luck!
Craig
Is there a way of inducing dormancy in temperate climates
Mr. Strawberry
Craig,
Yes, you can chill them at near freezing for a while in a dark environment. As long as the roots don’t freeze through or dry out, they should enter dormancy.
Steve
Curious about seeing ants (argentine) mounding on strawberry plants. They seem to be quite active and coming right out of the crown. The plants are healthy, and not affecting the fruit. I assume it is good aeration for the roots. Not complaining, just wondering if this is a healthy symbiotic relationship.
Mr. Strawberry
Steve,
I am not aware of any known symbiosis between ants and strawberry plants, but if they both continue to exist together happily, you may have discovered one! Good luck!
lillian butakara
Mr Strawberry
Some of the strawberry flowers on my plants have turned into leaves.
Is it common, can i prevent it?
Mr. Strawberry
lillian butakara,
I am not familiar with actual flowers transmogrifying into leaves. Can you show before/after pictures by any chance, maybe with a transitional phase thrown in? My guess would be that the flower either died and wilted away or was nibbled off by a creature of some sort. Regardless, good luck!
Shepard
Can I order strawberry seedlings from Saudi Arabia as I live there. If not, what is my best option to buy online from overseas?
Mr. Strawberry
Shepard,
It is usually pretty difficult to get living vegetative plant matter through customs. You will probably have better luck with seeds. See this for more information. Good luck!
Catherine Peters
I germinated some seeds and the seedlings are 1″ to 1 1/2″ tall, with several true leaves, how much taller should they be when I transplant them, and how deep should I plant them? Thanks for your assistance.
Mr. Strawberry
Catherine Peters,
As long as the seedlings are hardened off appropriately, they can be transplanted at any time. However, it is safer to transplant them after their roots have become more firmly established. I like to transplant when the plants are two or more inches tall. I kill less of them that way! Good luck!
roseguy
What other fruits or vegetables have seeds on the outside as a strawberry does? thanks in advance
Mr. Strawberry
roseguy,
Technically, strawberries are achenes with the red accessory tissue hosting the seed-containing fruits over the surface of the accessory tissue. However, most folks consider the seeds to be on the outside. Other atypical fruits include the pineapple and the cashew tree.
Bill
I have two long rows in my garden of strawberrys and have gotten a lot of berries from them and they are starting to flower up and go again but the berries I get are quite soft compared to the ones I have boughten and then they seam to be mushie. What am I doing wrong ?
Mr. Strawberry
Bill,
The berries you buy in the store are often bred specifically for firmness to allow them to be shipped without extensive damage. More than likely, you simply have a different variety that isn’t as firm. You also might be picking them a little bit later than optimal. Try picking them a day or two earlier when this next round of berries matures. Good luck!
Bonnie Riley
I have a dozen Eversweet plants in planter boxes on a deck. I live in an area with hot days and cool nights. At first, my plants were turning out tasty, juicy, sweet berries, but the berries have become much less sweet, almost dry, and with a whole lot of coarse seeds. I see no signs of disease; the leaves are green. I left the plants in the care of my husband for two weeks, and he said he watered them, but I’m not sure if it was enough. Do you think it’s a lack of water, or could it be that the deck gets too hot? Something else?
I live in northern California, in a Zone 8B. I will try watering twice a day. I have to grow on a deck because we have tons of fence-jumping deer in the area.
This is the first year for my plants, and it seems that I should have pinched off the blossoms, but I didn’t know that when I planted them, and I was thrilled when my plants produced berries. The delight on the face of my two-year-old grandson at seeing the growing strawberries was wonderful and irreplaceable, so it wasn’t the worst mistake in the world.
Any suggestions for water (should I water twice a day?), or fertilizer, or anything else would be appreciated. They are growing in a commercial, peat-based, organic planting mix that was fresh from the bag. I used some organic fertilizer when I first planted them two months ago, and I haven’t used any pesticides.
Mr. Strawberry
Bonnie Riley,
Eversweet is supposed to be an everbearing variety, but some people say that the strawberries don’t produce like they should. If you have very hot temperatures, it is likely that your deck boxes may be drying out too quickly. you may want to add a layer of peat to the top of the planter to help identify when to water, and to help retain the water beneath where the strawberry roots can absorb it. Typically, hot-climate deck planters do a bit less spectacularly for providing a suitable strawberry plant home. Good luck, though!
Charlie
My strawberry bed has 5 new plants this spring. They somewhat resemble my other plants. They are lighter in color and grow outward with acenter stem that grows upward. My wife says they are not strawberry plants but I think they are. My bed is always covered with netting and nothing else has been planted or is growing in it. What do you think? Is there anoter type of plant that mimics a strawberry plant?
Mr. Strawberry
Charlie,
New strawberry plants will ofter be a lighter shade of green than more mature plants. I’m not sure about a center stem, however. Even with netting, airborne seeds or seed-laden bird poo from above can make their way into your strawberry patch. These mimic strawberry plants, but aren’t. If the leaf shape is the same, they may be new strawberries. If the shape isn’t, they may be weeds. If you’d like an extra 5 plants, just give them a few days or weeks. It should be evident shortly whether they are strawberries or weeds. Good luck!
Carolyn
For 25 years I have been trying to figure out the name of a certain variety of strawberry. I bought a basket of them at a flea market in the San Joaquin valley in Calif (a heavy Hispanic presence). They were very dark red, all through, very firm, and very flat and large, some almost like ribbons. They were sweet and flavorful. Any suggestions?
Straw Berry
Carolyn,
It is impossible to determine which variety that would have been with certainty. My best suggestion is to go to the Buy Strawberry Plants directory and look through the pictures of each of the offered varieties until you find the one that most closely resembles yours. I know that could be time intensive, but that is the best idea I have! Good luck!
Apple Au Yeung
What species are suitable for growing as a potted plant in Hong Kong?
Straw Berry
Apple Au Yeung,
I am not very familiar with the climate in Hong Kong. However, most strawberries will do adequately as potted plants as long as they have sufficient soil, nutrients, water, and light. So, pick one that is available in your area and see what happens! See here for help growing. Good luck!
Parminder singh
Mu strawberry plant is producing flowers but the conversion speed of flowers into fruits is very very slow
So please suggest me some solutions
Straw Berry
Parminder singh,
It will often take strawberries longer to mature if they do not get full sun. Try moving or carefully transplanting your strawberries after the growing season to a location that gets good sun from dawn until dusk. Good luck!
Tiffany
The strawberries on my plant are big when they are green but shrivel up when they turn red. Why does this keep happening and how do I stop it.
Sherry
My plant’s leaves are turning brown, why?? I put it in indirect sun and don’t over water it. What am I doing wrong?
Susan bunn
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?
Mr. Strawberry
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!
Steve Martin
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.
Mr. Strawberry
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!
nona
do i remove all the dead plants and dried leaves from bed in spring
Mr. Strawberry
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!
Phil
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?
Mr. Strawberry
Phil,
There is a list of suppliers here: Buy Strawberry Plants. Good luck!
Serena
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?
Mr. Strawberry
Serena,
Sugar production typically occurs simultaneously with Vitamin C production.
Melinda
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!
Mr. Strawberry
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!
Ashley Christie
Further up date on strawberries in Jamaica .
I have strawberries flowering and fruiting in Long Mtn St Andrew and it is below 2000.
Gladstone Ivey
Just an update on Growing Strawberries in tropical islands like Jamaica. Yes, it can be done at altitudes above 2,000.
Lisa Hall
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
Mr. Strawberry
Lisa Hall,
See these pages: Growing Strawberries, Overwintering Strawberries. Good luck!
Olivia Smith
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?
Mr. Strawberry
Olivia,
I think you may be referring to the system found here: Transplanting Strawberries.
sandra r peterson
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?
Mr. Strawberry
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!
iris robinson
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?
Mr. Strawberry
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!
Jason
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?
Mr. Strawberry
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.
Mary
Are pineberry plants available in Northern Ireland
Mr. Strawberry
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!
Bill Tufts
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
Mr. Strawberry
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.
Robert Howard
What is the best variety of strawberry to produce commercially in a tropical climate such as Jamaica?
Mr. Strawberry
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!