Introduction to Strawberry Plants

Why Grow Strawberries?

Growing strawberries, whether from strawberry plants for sale, organic strawberry plants, or bare root strawberry plants, is a rewarding experience for home gardeners. These plants offer the benefit of producing sweet berries with excellent flavor and high yields, making them a great addition to any home garden. Strawberry varieties, including June bearing and everbearing, thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, and can be grown in raised beds or hanging baskets. With good disease resistance to issues like anthracnose crown rot and verticillium wilt, and the ability to produce large, juicy berries, strawberries provide a fruitful and tasty harvest. Organic growers will appreciate the ease of cultivating these delightful plants, enhancing your garden and bringing fresh strawberries right to your table.

Benefits of Organic Strawberry Plants

Organic strawberry plants for sale offer numerous advantages for home gardeners seeking high-quality, fresh strawberries. These plants, available as bare root or potted options, are prized for their excellent flavor, good disease resistance, and high yields. Various strawberry varieties thrive in raised beds or hanging baskets, and they are hardy in full sun, providing a bountiful crop of sweet, juicy berries throughout the growing season. By avoiding chemicals and pesticides, organic strawberry plants ensure a healthier and more sustainable garden while producing large berries with great taste and flavor.

Strawberries are a popular choice for home gardeners, offering delicious fruits and a lush ground cover with their vibrant foliage. These easy-to-grow plants thrive in various settings, from raised beds to pots, provided they receive the right care and attention. In this article, we'll explore the different types of strawberry plants and how to cultivate them successfully in your garden.

Ideal Growing Conditions

Strawberries are known for their shallow root system, which makes them well-suited to raised beds or containers. They thrive in full sun, requiring at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily to produce the best results. While they are relatively hardy across various USDA zones, strawberries greatly benefit from the use of mulch, which helps retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and keep the fruits clean by preventing them from touching the ground. In addition to sunlight and mulch, well-drained soil rich in essential nutrients is key to cultivating healthy strawberry plants. For optimal growth, consider planting in early September, especially in areas prone to red stele disease, to ensure robust and productive plants.

Varieties of Strawberry Plants

When it comes to strawberry plants, you have several options to choose from, each with its own unique characteristics and advantages.

June Bearing Strawberries

June bearing strawberries are a favorite among gardeners for their impressive fruit production. These plants produce a single, large crop in early spring to early summer, usually spanning a period of 3 to 4 weeks. During this time, they yield an abundance of delicious red berries that are perfect for fresh consumption or preserving into jams and desserts. June bearing strawberries are prolific producers, making them a great choice for those looking to enjoy a bountiful harvest during a specific time window.

Everbearing Strawberries (Day-Neutral Varieties)

In contrast to June bearing strawberries, everbearing strawberries, also known as day-neutral varieties, offer a different fruiting pattern. While they may not be as prolific as June bearers, everbearing strawberries have their own advantages. These plants produce fruit continuously throughout the summer, providing a steady supply of fresh strawberries. One noteworthy characteristic of everbearing strawberries is that they produce fewer daughter plants, resulting in a neater and more orderly garden.

A Strategic Approach

To maximize your strawberry harvest and enjoy a longer growing season, consider planting a combination of both June bearing and everbearing varieties. This strategy allows you to have an initial burst of strawberries in early summer from the June bearers, followed by a continuous supply of fruit from the everbearers throughout the summer months. Doing so can extend your strawberry harvest and make the most of your garden space. This balanced approach ensures that you'll have plenty of red, juicy berries to enjoy fresh, share with friends and family, or preserve for later use.

How to Plant Strawberry Plants

For optimal strawberry success, plant your organic strawberry plants in well-drained soil with plenty of sunlight and protect them from shade. Space bare root or potted strawberry plants about 12-18 inches apart to ensure good air circulation and prevent disease. For raised beds or containers, use a mix of compost and soil to provide essential nutrients and good drainage. Plant at the same depth as they were in their containers or nursery bed, ensuring that the crown is level with the soil surface to avoid rot. Mulch around the plants to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and keep the berries clean. During winter, protect your plants from frost and extreme temperatures with additional mulch or coverings. By following these guidelines, you can enjoy a fruitful growing season with sweet berries and excellent flavor.

Caring for Bare Root Strawberry Plants

To ensure the health and productivity of your organic strawberry plants, proper care is essential. Regularly water your bare root or potted strawberry plants, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and avoid overhead watering to reduce the risk of leaf diseases. Fertilize with a balanced, organic fertilizer during the growing season to support high yields and excellent flavor, and mulch around the plants to conserve moisture and prevent weed growth. Prune away dead or damaged leaves and runners to promote better air circulation and berry size. By following these tips, you can maintain healthy strawberry plants and enjoy fresh, sweet berries throughout the growing season.

Common Bare Root Strawberry Plants Pests and Diseases

Organic strawberry plants are vulnerable to pests and diseases that can impact their health and productivity. Common issues include aphids, which can be managed with neem oil or insecticidal soap, and slugs, which can be controlled using natural predators or diatomaceous earth. Additionally, fungal diseases such as anthracnose crown rot and phytophthora crown rot can affect strawberry production. Leaf diseases and other fungal issues can compromise the health of your strawberry plant and reduce berry size. To protect your bare root and potted strawberry plants, maintain good soil drainage, use mulch to prevent fungal spread, and select varieties with good disease resistance. Regular monitoring and organic solutions will help ensure your strawberries remain healthy and produce sweet, high-quality berries.

Harvesting and Storing Strawberries

To enjoy the best flavor from your organic strawberry plants, pick strawberries when they are fully ripe, firm, and bright red. For peak sweetness, harvest fresh strawberries in the morning after the dew has dried, as this helps retain their excellent flavor and quality. If growing strawberries in hanging baskets or containers, ensure you pick the fruit gently to avoid damaging the delicate plants. To store, gently place the berries in a single layer in the refrigerator to prevent bruising, and use them within a few days to maintain their juicy, sweet taste. For longer storage, consider freezing the berries, ensuring they are thoroughly cleaned and dried before freezing to preserve their flavor and texture.

In Summary

Strawberries are an excellent addition to any home garden, offering delicious fruits and beautiful foliage. By providing the right growing conditions and selecting the appropriate strawberry plant varieties, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest that spans several weeks or even months. Whether you opt for the prolific June bearing strawberry plants or the continuous fruiting of everbearers, your garden will become a fruitful and rewarding space for both you and your taste buds. Don’t miss out on our strawberry plants for sale to get started on your strawberry-growing journey!

Why Buy Strawberry Plants From Us?

Choose our strawberry plants for sale for your garden and enjoy the best strawberries with great flavor and exceptional quality. Our bare root strawberry plants are carefully selected for large berries and are resistant to common diseases, ensuring healthy growth in various USDA zones, including cooler locations. Whether you're planting in raised beds, containers, or hanging baskets, our plants are resilient and offer a great yield with extra attention. Don't miss out—place your order now to ensure timely shipment and get the finest stock to elevate your strawberry production to new heights! We’ll ship directly to your door!

Enjoy our strawberries for sale, and see our growing guide in the Resource Center. 

For more information on growing BIG strawberries organically, see our guide.