There’s a certain magic in biting into a fresh, home-grown strawberry. The burst of flavor, the sun-warmed sweetness, and the sense of accomplishment—it’s a sensation I wanted to savor. As a newer gardener, I chose strawberries for their enchanting appeal and relative ease of growth; and also because there is just something whimsical to me about growing strawberries – when my parents first bought their house there was a strawberry bed and when I bought my first house there was a wild strawberry patch on the hillside, but I never did anything with them. With a bit of research, I knew I’d soon be harvesting my own delicious berries. Here’s my well researched guide to this delightful journey.
1. Choosing the Right Strawberry Plants
Strawberries are like gems of the garden, and they come in three main types: June-bearing, everbearing, and day-neutral.
- June-bearing: These plants gift you a bountiful harvest once a year, usually in late spring or early summer. Perfect for those who dream of a single, grand collection for making jams or freezing. – Not for me at this time. I don’t have the time to dedicate and I just want some berries. Maybe after a few years of successful growing.
- Everbearing: These plants are generous, offering two to three harvests per year, typically in spring, summer, and fall. Ideal for those who desire a steady, predictable supply of strawberries. – This is what my mom and I chose to plant.
- Day-neutral: These are the tireless workers, producing berries continuously throughout the growing season. Perfect for those who wish to experience the joy of fresh strawberries all season long. – I have honestly never seen these available and didn’t know it was an option until I started doing the research.
2. Preparing My Planting Site
Strawberries bask in sunlight, but we ultimately chose to plant ours in a high tunnel bed to alleviate bird pressure. I learned that strawberries dislike wet feet, so ensuring well-draining soil was crucial. It seemed to me that the soil in the garden beds at the high tunnel were plenty well draining, we just needed to do a little amending.
- Soil Preparation: I enriched my soil with compost and well-rotted manure that I purchased from the local Bomgaars. Strawberries thrive in slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5-6.8), so rather than testing my soil like a good gardener would, I amended it with the above mentioned items and decided to just trust in the soil to create the perfect haven for my plants.
- Spacing: I plan to plant my strawberries about 10-12 inches apart. This should give them room to spread their roots and ensure good air circulation, which will help keep diseases at bay. Tho. . . I may risk it and plant them a little closer together in the hopes to conserve some space in that bed for more goodies. I haven’t decided. We shall see.
3. Planting My Strawberries
Early spring, when the soil awakens from winter’s slumber, was the best time to plant strawberries. BUT. . . I’m a little behind this year. They go into the ground this week. It’s okay. I am choosing to trust this process.
- Dig a hole: Make it large enough to spread out the roots comfortably.
- Planting depth: Ensure the crown (where the leaves meet the roots) rests at soil level. Planting too deep or too shallow can stress the plant.
- Watering: I’ll gently watered the plants after planting, encouraging them to settle in, and then afterwards the entire high tunnel is set up on a times drip irrigation system.
4. Caring for My Strawberry Plants
As a new gardener, I want to make sure every step is done (mostly) correctly. I read articles, scoured the internet, and perused gardening forums, eager to absorb as much knowledge as possible. I soon realized that reading all the books in the world could never truly compare to the wisdom gained from practical application. Gardening is a hands-on journey, filled with trial and error.
Strawberries, like all living things, need tender care to flourish. Here are some essential tips I plan to follow:
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged. Watering in the early morning allows the foliage to dry before nightfall, reducing the risk of disease.
- Mulching: IF I can find some untreated straw, I will apply a cozy layer of mulch—straw, pine needles, or black plastic are all acceptable—around my plants. Mulch helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and keeps the fruit clean and inviting. If I can’t. . . I’ll see what Bomgaars has to offer and then decide if I want to just run wild or buy a bag or two of mulch.
- Fertilizing: A balanced fertilizer after planting and again after the first harvest; being careful with nitrogen is important; too much can result in lush leaves but few berries. I’m going to hold off on the first fertilizer because that compost is composted, but pretty fresh.
5. Dealing with Pests and Diseases
Common garden nuisances include slugs, snails, and birds. Snails do not thrive in the this arid Wyoming environment, however the nursery these plants came from definitely had a slug issue. Before transporting them to the high tunnel I watered the berries in a kiddie pool with pennies as the copper will kill the slugs. Keeping a watchful eye for diseases like powdery mildew or gray mold is essential. Good air circulation, proper spacing, and watering at the base of the plants helped prevent these troubles. So. . . Perhaps mulch will be higher on the priority list.
6. Harvesting My Strawberries
Strawberries are ready to be plucked when they are fully red and slightly soft to the touch. Allegedly harvesting in the cool morning hours, when they are at their sweetest and most fragrant, is best. Picking every few days keeps up with their ripening rhythm, and being gentle helped avoid bruising the delicate fruit.
7. Enjoying My Harvest
There are endless ways to enjoy home-grown strawberries: fresh off the plant, in desserts, jams, or smoothies. Sharing them with friends and family is another way to create memories that linger long after the last berry is eaten – I’m not entirely sure I will have enough to bring to the farmer’s market, and that is okay by me.
Final Thoughts
Growing strawberries will be a rewarding adventure, especially as a beginner. With the right variety, tender care, and a bit of patience, I will soon be basking in the sweet success of my harvest. Remember, while research provides a solid foundation, it’s the hands-on experience that will truly teach the art of gardening. Happy gardening!
Feel free to share your strawberry-growing journey and the secrets you discover along the way. Every garden whispers its own unique story, and there’s always something new to learn and cherish.
xoxo
-S
Diet Coke and Hair-Spray 