Are strawberries perennials or annuals? Hardy perennials
Strawberries are perennials in zones 3 through 9. In zones 9 and 10, they are grown as cool-season annuals. It is important to note that if you grow strawberries in containers, they either need to be brought inside during the winter months or transplanted into the ground in the fall. It is also important to know that most strawberry plants produce well for 3 to 4 years. Once they pass this mark, they will produce less fruit. If you plant a variety that has runner plants, you will continue to harvest berries through your new, younger plants!
Do they grow in sun or shade?Full sun to part shade
These tasty croprequire 6 to 10 hours a day of full sun. They will not thrive and produce the amount of fruit you are looking for in full shade. If you have an area that is part shade receiving at least 6 hours, your plants should produce just fine. My small warning is, depending on your growing conditions, your plants couldbecome stunted, and you may see less berries. I grew mine in part shade the first year I ever grew strawberry plants, and I didn't have any problems at all! If you plant in direct sunlight, you will notice more abundant harvests and even bigger fruit.
Where can I grow my berries? Anywhere
Strawberries are one of those plants that you can grow just about anywhere. You can grow them right in the groundin rows, strawberry pots, raised beds, containers, window boxes and even hanging baskets! My first experience with strawberries was in hanging baskets. I was so impressed and excited to see how much fruit each basket produced! The next year I tried out strawberry pots and loved my results. Then, I tried araised bed, and eventually made myself my very own strawberry patch! They are not picky, and don't need much depth to thrive making it a very versatile crop.
How much space do I need? From as small asa mason jar to as big as a field
Depending on the variety you choose, strawberry plants do best spaced 6 to 18 inches apart. They need about 6 to 12 inches of depth to thrive. The rule of thumb when it comes to containers is the bigger the better. It also depends on how many strawberries you are looking to harvest. You can add one plant per strawberry jar and 3 to 5 plants in a hanging basket or window box. If you are a small-space gardener, consider growing vertically. This helps you grow more plants in a smaller area.
Read all about how I grew strawberries in my GreenStalk Garden last season!
What kind of soil do I need? Well-drained, slightly acidic, enriched soil
Strawberries grow best in soil with lots of organic matter. You want to make sure the soil is well-drained and slightly acidic with a pH of 5.0-7.0. Strawberry plants can adapt to many different soil conditions. If you are looking for your plants to produce a large amount of fruit, you want to give your strawberries the ideal conditions. If the soil in your area doesn't have the correct conditions, consider planting them in pots. It's much easier to control your soil by adding potting mix and the organic matter it requires.
How much water will my plants require? Frequent waterings - Every 3 to 5 days
Strawberry plants have very shallow root systems. Because of this, it is important to keep your soil moist. Watering every 3 to 5 days works best. If you are experiencing a drought, you may want to check on your plants to see if they require more water. Moisture is your key to developing large, plump berries. If you are worried about your fruit rotting, you can switch to a drip-irrigation system that is hooked up to a timer. That way, your plants get a healthy drink of water everyday!
Should I add fertilizer? If so, what kind and how often? Yes, but it is not required.
If you feel like your plants need a boost, they appreciate nitrogen-rich fertilizer. This helps encourage growth and helps your fruit develop. If you decide not to add fertilizer, your plants should still grow just fine!
I am a novice gardener. Can I grow strawberries? Absolutely!
Strawberries were one of the first crops that really helped me enter the edible gardening world successfully. Since they are such a hardy plant, you can try out different growing methods and see what works best for you. As long as you have the right amount of sun, the proper soil, a protective cover and a watering schedule you are good to go!
* Tip * As you become more experienced with gardening, you will notice that most crops and flowers are adaptable to many different conditions. In order to give your plants the best chance at growing strong, you want to give your crop the exact requirements to avoid disappointment. They will usually find a way, but when putting so much work and care into growing them, you want them to thrive!
