Choosing your variety of strawberries
While there are many varieties of strawberries, they all fall into two main categories: June bearing or everbearing. June-bearing strawberries produce one large crop in June, while everbearing strawberries yield multiple harvests throughout the season. June bearing has a short harvest period, while everbearing extends it. We carry Honeoye (everbearing) and Eversweet (June bearing) varieties. We suggest you plant Eversweet if you are wanting a large quantity of berries at one time for preserving and Eversweet if you want to have strawberries for eating throughout the summer.
Planting & Growing
Both June-bearing and everbearing strawberries thrive in well-drained soil rich in organic matter, requiring regular watering and full sunlight for optimal growth. They benefit from mulching to retain moisture and suppress weeds - many gardeners use straw for this. Planting should be done in early spring, spacing plants 12-18 inches apart in rows with at least 2-3 feet between rows. Removing blossoms during the first year allows June-bearing strawberries to establish strong root systems, leading to healthier plants and higher yields in subsequent years. However, it's not necessary for everbearing varieties. Removing blossoms redirects energy towards plant development rather than fruit production, aiding overall plant vigor. Eversweet (June bearing) strawberries can be quite aggressive growing. It may be necessary to cut off or dig up runners to keep your strawberries from overtaking your garden. With both varieties of strawberries It is also a good idea every few years to replace some of the original plants with the runners that come off of them as older plants tend to have reduced yields over time.
Preparing for Winter
In our growing zone (5b), where winters can be quite cold, winter protection for strawberries is recommended. Applying a layer of mulch around the plants after the ground freezes will help to insulate the roots and protect them from freezing temperatures. This helps ensure the survival of the plants and promotes healthier growth in the following growing season.