How To Grow Everbearing Strawberry Plants
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The everbearing strawberry plant bears fruit two or three times per year, which gives berry lovers plenty of opportunity to make shakes, shortcakes, or beautiful fruit salad. The plant isn’t especially easy to grow, though, and do-it-yourself enthusiasts must go through the process patiently and carefully. Read our guide to learn how to properly plant, grow, and maintain your own everbearing strawberry plant.
Everbearing Strawberry Plant Specifications
- Fruit color: Red with yellow seeds
- Fruit size: 1–2 inches long
- Fruit texture and flavor: Juicy texture, sweet flavor
- Fruit uses: Eat raw or as part of a recipe
- Growing season: Pick in late spring, late summer, early fall, or late fall
- Hardiness Zones: Zones 4–9
- Region: Most regions, except parts of the North, Midwest, Alaska, and Hawaii
- Susceptibility: Gray mold, anthracnose fruit rot, common leaf spot, angular leaf spot, phytophthora crown rot, anthracnose crown rot
What Are Everbearing Strawberries?
Everbearing strawberries are strawberry plants that produce fruit multiple times during the growing season. Everbearing strawberries typically yield 2–3 smaller crops, as opposed to June-bearing varieties, which offer a single large harvest. The first harvest usually occurs in late spring or early summer, and additional yields follow in late summer and early fall.
These plants are best for gardeners who prefer a steady supply of fresh strawberries across an extended period of time. Everbearing strawberries are easier to manage in smaller spaces or container gardens.
What Does an Everbearing Strawberry Plant Look Like?
The leaves on an everbearing strawberry plant are green, and the flowers that produce strawberries are white. The strawberries are 1–2 inches in length, and red with yellow seeds. They’re juicy and sweet.
There are several varieties of everbearing strawberry plants, and each of them has slightly different dimensions. Expect your plant to be somewhere around 8–12 inches tall and 1–2 feet wide.
Types of Everbearing Strawberry Varieties
There are several everbearing strawberry varieties that are popular among home gardeners, and each offers unique advantages. Consider your taste preferences, the plant’s ability to adapt to your climate, and how resistant the plant is to disease when selecting a variety.
Below are three popular everbearing strawberry varieties:
Ozark Beauty
Ozark Beauty is a classic everbearing variety known for its excellent flavor and reliable production. These plants produce large, firm berries that are red and sweet. Ozark Beauty is hardy in USDA Zones 4–8, and is resistant to several common strawberry diseases. Choose Ozark if you want a reliable harvest without having to spend too much time maintaining the plant.
Seascape
Seascape strawberries feature large, conical fruits that are bright red and glossy. This variety leads to high yields and boasts an excellent flavor. Seascape plants produce fruit no matter how long a day is, which makes them ideal for extended harvest periods. They adapt well to various climates, so you can harvest them in various climates and areas.
Albion
Albion is a newer everbearing variety that has gained popularity because of its exceptional flavor and resistance to disease. These plants produce large, firm berries that have balanced, sweet-tart tastes. Most albion strawberries are similarly sizes throughout the growing seasons and can thrive in various climates. Choose this variety for superior taste.
Growing Conditions for an Everbearing Strawberry Plant
Read the tips below to learn how to properly care for your everbearing strawberry plant.
Sun and Shade
Strawberries require at least six hours of full sunlight every day. Place your container on an uncovered deck, or plant the strawberries in a part of your yard that doesn’t get shade.
Soil
Everbearing strawberry plants grow best in rich soil that drains well and features a lot of organic matter. The pH of the soil should be between 5.5 and 6.5, which is slightly acidic.
Fertilizer
Everbearing strawberries need a steady amount of 10-10-10 fertilizer throughout the growing season because they continuously blossom and bear fruit. A 10-10-10 fertilizer contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are the three main nutrients plants need to grow.
Use 1 1/2 pounds of fertilizer per 100 feet of growing space during the first year. Break this amount into three feedings: one feeding two weeks after planting, one feeding one month after planting, and one feeding two months after planting. In the following years, divide 1 pound of fertilizer into three or four parts and spread it over 10 square feet between early spring and August.
Watering
Everbearing strawberries require regular watering and about 1–2 inches of water per week during the growing season. Use a drip irrigation system or a soaker hose to avoid getting the fruit wet and causing rot. You can water twice weekly to moisten the soil during the off-season.
Water your strawberries earlier in the day so that the sun can absorb excess water from the plant.
Hardiness Zones
Everbearing strawberries can grow in Hardiness Zones 4–9, which means they can thrive in nearly ever state in the country. Certain parts of the North, Midwest, Alaska, and Hawaii can be too cold or too hot to foster ideal growing conditions.
Choosing the Right Location for Your Strawberry Patch
Everbearing strawberries require full sun to thrive, so choose a spot that receives at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Avoid areas that are vulnerable to strong winds, which can damage the plants and reduce fruit production.
Make sure the spot you choose features soil that drains well so the tree doesn’t become waterlogged. This can lead to rot. If your soil retains water, consider creating raised beds or mounds to improve drainage.
Avoid planting strawberries in areas in which tomatoes, peppers, or potatoes have grown in the past three years, as these plants can harbor soil-borne diseases that can damage strawberries.
How To Plant an Everbearing Strawberry Plant
The best time to plant your everbearing strawberry plant is in the early spring, as long as the soil isn’t too muddy. You can test the soil by squeezing some in your hand. If the soil falls apart, you can plant your strawberry plant. If the clump stays together, wait and try again in a few days.
Follow the steps below when it’s time to plant.
- Dig a 6-inch-by-6-inch hole for the shallow rooted strawberry plant.
- Mix in 10-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 1 pound per 100 square feet. Add 3 inches of compost.
- Build a 5-inch-high cone of soil in the center of the hole.
- Place the plant in the center of the hole so that the crown of the plant is at soil level. Let the roots drape over the cone.
- Fill in soil around the base of the plant and water it.
- Spread 1–2 inches of straw around the plant to keep it free of weeds.
If you’re planting more than one everbearing strawberry plant, keep the holes 12 inches apart.
You can also plant the strawberries in containers or raised beds. Mix potting soil and compost together and place the plant in a hole in the center of this mix. When your first flowers bloom, cut them off and allow the plant to create a strong root system. This will help the plant to produce better strawberries in the future.
You should see your first strawberries in the first year of planting. You will get one strawberry harvest in the late spring and another in the late summer or early fall. You may also get a third harvest in late fall.
Caring for Your Everbearing Strawberry Plants
You must properly care for your plant to get healthy harvests. Water, fertilize, and apply pest control carefully and thoughtfully.
Watering Needs
Everbearing strawberries require consistent moisture throughout the growing season. Make sure your plant gets 1–2 inches of water per week through rainfall or irrigation. Water deeply and less frequently to encourage deep root growth. Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses to keep foliage dry and reduce the risk of fungal diseases. Consistent watering supports robust fruit development and plant health.
Fertilization Schedule
Fertilizing your everbearing strawberry plant regularly will lead to continuous fruit production. Apply a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer throughout the growing season, and consider the tips below.
- First year: Use 1. 5 pounds of fertilizer per 100 feet of growing space. Divide this into three applications: one application two weeks after you plant, one application one month after you plant, and one application two months after you plant.
- Subsequent years: Apply 1 pound of fertilizer per 100 square feet in three or four installments between spring and early August.
Fertilizing regularly will give your plants the nutrients they need to produce high-quality fruit.
Pest and Disease Management
Monitor your plants regularly for signs of pests or diseases. Common issues include the following:
- Fruit rot diseases (gray mold, anthracnose)
- Insect pests (slugs, mites, nematodes)
- Leaf diseases (leaf spot, powdery mildew)
Make sure the air around the plants can circulate easily by removing excess runners and giving the plants plenty of space. This will help to prevent pests and disease. Apply organic mulch to deter pests and use bird netting to protect ripening fruit. Use organic or chemical controls as recommended by your local extension office.
Harvesting Your Everbearing Strawberries
You must use proper harvesting techniques to get a maximum yield. Read more below.
When To Pick
Harvest everbearing strawberries when they’r fully ripe and red all over. Unripe berries will not continue to ripen after you pick them. Check your plants every other day during peak production periods to make sure you’re harvesting at the right time.
Proper Harvesting Techniques
Follow the steps below to properly harvest strawberries:
- Grasp the stem just above the berry between your thumb and forefinger.
- Gently twist and pull to separate the fruit from the plant.
- Use clean scissors to snip the stem, but leave a small portion attached to the berry.
Handle the berries gently to avoid bruising them. Harvest when fruits are cool in the morning, and store them immediately in the refrigerator.
Tolerance and Susceptibility
Everbearing strawberry plants are susceptible to a variety of diseases. Read more below.
Fruit
Gray mold rots the fruit and leaves behind a velvety, gray mass. Anthracnose fruit rot looks like water-soaked spots that are black or brown. Fungi cause both of these diseases and make the strawberries inedible.
Leaves
Common leaf spots start as small, dark purple spots on the upper surface of the leaf. The spots grow larger and change colors from brown to gray to white. The spots eventually touch each other, form one large spot, and kill the leaf.
Angular leaf spots start as small, water-soaked spots on the bottom of the leaf. They grow and become translucent, and feature veins The spots may ooze liquid that dries and becomes white and scaly.
Crown
Phytophthora crown rot causes the plant to collapse, and turns the crown a dark red color. The first sign of this disease is stunted plant growth and the wilting of young leaves. Early signs include stunted growth and flagging of leave. An advanced disease leads to red and white marbling on the crown.
Wildlife Threats
Several insects and animals will attack the strawberry plant, such as mites, slugs, nematodes, birds, and squirrels. To prevent pests, apply an epsom salt spray or insecticidal soap and wrap bird nets around the plant during the growing season. Once you have harvested the strawberries, pull off the netting and allow the birds and squirrels to eat insects on the plant.
Overwintering
Caring for your plants during winter months will help your everbearing strawberry plants to survive cold temperatures. Learn how to properly maintain your plants below.
Mulching Methods
Apply a 4–6 inch layer of straw mulch over the plants after the first hard frost. This insulates the crowns and roots from freezing temperatures and prevents frost heaving. Gradually remove the mulch as new growth appears in early spring. Mulching protects your plants from winter stress.
Pruning and Maintenance
Remove any dead, diseased, or yellowed leaves before you apply winter mulch. Prune off old leaves in spring, and remove any damaged plant parts to encourage new growth.
FAQ About Everbearing Strawberry Plants
What are the different types of strawberries?
There are three types of strawberries: June-bearing strawberries, everbearing strawberries, and day-neutral strawberries.
June-bearers produce one harvest around June. Everbearing varieties produce harvests in late spring or early summer and then late summer or early fall. Day-neutral strawberries continuously flower and grow strawberries as long as the temperature is between 35 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
What are some everbearing strawberry varieties?
Popular varieties of the everbearing strawberry include Ozark Beauty, Everest, Seascape, Albion, and Quinalt.
Do everbearing strawberries go dormant?
Everbearing strawberry plants go dormant during cooler months, but they return in spring when it’s time to blossom and bear fruit again.
How long do strawberry plants last?
Strawberry plants can produce fruit for up to five years. The crop yield may reduce dramatically after the first two or three years because of disease, though.
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