Strawberries (Fragaria ananassa), one of the most common crops to cultivate in the home yard, are short-lived shrubs safe in USDA zones 5 to 9. Some strawberry bushes, on the other hand, thrive as annuals. Perennial strawberries require yearly repair and winter care to stay healthy and fruitful.
Perennial Strawberry Varieties
Strawberry plants that yield fruit in June are best suitable for cultivating as perennials because they generate only one harvest of fruit per year over a three or four week span in the spring. Flowering and blossoming in these plants are diminished as the days lengthen and temps increase in the summer. Every year, June-bearing strawberry bushes must be rebuilt.
Strawberry varieties that produce numerous harvests of fruit throughout the growth season and are unaffected by the duration of the day, on the other hand, are commonly cultivated as annuals. According to the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension, while day-neutral strawberries can be cultivated as perennials, the quantity of fruit produced by these plants diminishes considerably after the first year.
As a result, specialists advise beginning a fresh plot of day-neutral strawberries every year. This technique, according to Clemson University Extension, often results in stronger trees and bigger fruits.
Renovating June-Bearing Strawberries
According to PennState Extension, June-bearing strawberries can be fruitful for up to five years if they are replanted promptly after harvest. The first stage in this remodeling process is to remove all weeds, particularly big weeds, because you don’t want them to plant their weeds in the area. Thin the seedlings so that each one is at least 3 inches apart, which should increase output.
The following procedure will be to clear the complete area. According to the University of Minnesota Extension, allowing just an inch of growth above the canopy is critical for promoting leaf and blossom development the following year. Then apply a 10-10-10 potassium, phosphate, and nitrogen fertilizer to the strawberry bushes. It’s also critical to moisten the strawberry bushes after they’ve been renovated.
Strawberry Plants in Winter
If you cultivate strawberries as perennials, you must provide sufficient winter care because cold temps can harm blossoms, resulting in decreased blooming and berry output. Mulch should be applied after temps have dropped below 40 degrees Fahrenheit for three straight days, which differs based on where you reside. This protects the plant’s roots from frigid air and keeps the roots from being damaged as the earth hardens and thaws.
Straw, pine needles, and wood sawdust are recommended as strawberry plant fertilizer by the University of New Hampshire Extension. Avoid using things that will create a carpet, such as twigs or vegetation. The soil covering should be between 3 and 6 inches deep. When the plants begin to develop again in the spring, you can eliminate the soil. Take care not to remove it too quickly, as a late cold can harm the vegetation.
