Just a few centuries ago, only the rich and the royal could grow strawberries in their gardens. Now you can to grow them too, and you don’t even need a yard thanks to Minigarden.
Strawberry Varieties: Day-Neutral, Everbearing, & June-Bearing
There are two main varieties of strawberries: remontant and non-remontant. Remontant strawberries include day-neutral and everbearing varieties, while non-remontant strawberries include all June-bearing varieties.
The terms “day-neutral” and “everbearing” are often used interchangeably, but they don’t mean the same thing. Day-neutral strawberries were developed from everbearing strawberries, so all day-neutral varieties are everbearing but not all everbearing varieties are day-neutral.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the differences between day-neutral, everbearing, and June-bearing varieties:
| DAY-NEUTRAL & EVERBEARING | JUNE-BEARING | |
|---|---|---|
| Sensitive to Day Length? | No | Yes |
| How Many Crops? | Day-neutral berries will produce an even crop from March-November. Everbearing berries will produce 2-3 crops throughout growing season. | 1 crop in June |
| When are Buds Produced? | Summer & Autumn | Autumn |
| Crop Size | Smaller than June-bearing, but more frequent | Larger single crop |
| Runners | Fewer runners so plants can concentrate on producing berries. | More runners for a larger single crop next season. |
| Common Varieties | Selva, Diamante, Aroma, Albion, Seascape | Camarosa, Chandler, Kwesta, Charisma, Agoura, Ventana, Candonga |
Planning Your Strawberry Garden
Thanks to Minigarden, planning and planting a strawberry garden has never been easier. There are a few things to consider when planning your garden:
Sun
Strawberry plants thrive in full sun (at least eight hours a day), and without too much exposure to wind.
Strawberries like to stay warm, so try using a black Minigarden module. The black plastic absorbs the heat from the sun, which keeps your strawberry roots warm without burning them. Simply position your deep, self-draining Minigarden module in a sunny area of your kitchen, deck, or balcony and enjoy!
Soil
Choose a loamy, sandy soil with a pH balance between 5.8 and 6.2 and excellent drainage and water retention.
Don’t plan on planting your strawberries where you’ve grown tomatoes, peppers, or eggplant within the last four years. These vegetables carry a root fungus called Verticillium, which can also attack strawberries.
Strawberry Varieties
Plant multiple strawberry varieties, especially for your first growing season. Different varieties will thrive or struggle in different environments, and planting multiple varieties can help ensure that you don’t miss out on an entire growing season simply because you planted the wrong variety. It will also help you determine which varieties grow the best in your area.
If you live in the United States, check out which varieties are recommended for your state. If you live in Canada, take a look at which varieties are recommended for your province or territory. However, you should speak to a professional at your local garden center before you make any decisions – they can give you the best advice on choosing the right varieties.
When Should You Plant?
When you plant your strawberries will depend on which variety you choose to grow. A good rule of thumb is to plant your berries as soon as the ground can be worked in the spring – if you’re planting in a Minigarden, this signals that weather conditions are favorable for growing strawberries.
Remontant strawberries, including day-neutral and everbearing varieties, should be planted in the spring because they produce fruit all season. In contrast, June-bearing varieties should be planted at the end of the summer because they produce buds through the fall in order to be ready to fruit by spring.
If you buy your strawberry plants before your Minigarden is ready, store your plants in the fridge and keep them damp. Place your plants into a bucket of water to rehydrate them before you plant.
Growing Strawberries in a Minigarden
Minigarden is perfect for growing strawberries – in fact, that’s why it was created!
Minigarden’s self-draining modules will ensure that you never overwater, so you can grow perfect berries packed with tons of flavor. Each module is the ideal size for a strawberry plant, which means that you don’t have to worry about overcrowding. You also don’t need to be concerned about the condition of your soil – simply choose a loamy, sandy soil, and get planting!
Ready, Set, Plant!
Your strawberry Minigarden is all planned and ready to go – all that’s left is to plant it! Check back tomorrow to learn how to plant and care your strawberry garden.
Read More
Part 1 – Strawberry 101: Introduction to Strawberries
Part 3 – How To Plant and Care For Strawberries
Part 4 – Managing Pests in Your Strawberry Garden
Part 5 – How To Harvest Strawberries, And What To Do With All Those Berries
