The Best Time to Plant Strawberries
Strawberries are plants that you can grow even in your home garden. Growing strawberries does not require professional gardening skills. Even young kids can help out in doing this task at home.
Beginners in growing strawberries have similar questions regarding this hobby. They would like to know the proper conditions for growing this plant. Many also asks on when the best time to plant strawberries is. Here are some of the things that beginners in growing strawberries should know.
* The best time for planting strawberries depends on the climate in your location.
Most strawberry varieties grow in colder regions. However, there are some varieties that may also be grown in tropical climates.
For countries with cooler temperatures, the best time to plant strawberries is during spring. The first year usually does not give you a lot of harvest. What you can do is to pinch off the flowers during the first year and the next strawberry season will give you a lot of fruits. Another option for you is to plant the strawberries during late summer. By the next spring, you will be able to enjoy its fruits.
For those living in the tropics, the best time to plant the strawberries is during the fall. With proper care, the fruits will be ripe and ready for consumption by the next spring.
* Decide on the type of strawberry that you will plant.
There are three common varieties of strawberries and each has a recommended time when planting them. For example, the single crop strawberries that may be harvested in just a few weeks may be planted before, during or after summer (which is the strawberry season). However, planting this type of strawberry is mostly done by the professional strawberry growers.
* Although you are not yet ready to plant the strawberry, you have to start preparing you're the strawberry bed.
If possible, prepare the strawberry bed in fall. That way, when the seedlings start being sold during spring, you will be ready to plant them into your garden. The best part of your garden to plant the strawberries is the part that gets a lot of sunlight during daytime. Till about 1 foot of soil and mix it with compost. You also need to take steps to protect the soil from weeds and mulch.
Strawberries are great when mixed with condiments and desserts. If you know the proper time and proper care for the plants, your strawberries will have a lot of fruits that you can also sell or share with friends during the next season.
Tips for New Gardens
If you are starting a new garden in an area that was once covered in grass, wait a year or two before planting strawberries. Strawberries won't do well in areas that have a lot of weeds, and cultivating the ground for a season or two will help reduce weeds in the garden. Also, newly tilled ground can contain white grubs that can destroy your plants.
Best Time of Year
In warm or tropical climates, fall is the best time to plant strawberries. Your plants will have plenty of time to get established in the garden, and should produce a good crop the following spring.If you live in climates where the ground freezes during the winter, then early spring is the best time to plant strawberries. Pinch off all or most of the flowers during the first year, to give your plants time to adjust to your garden, and you should have a great season the following year. If you don't want to wait a year, you can plant strawberries in the late summer and enjoy your fruit next spring.
Best Weather for Planting
Most people feel like cloudy days when the ground is moist but not soggy is the best time to plant strawberries. Late afternoon is also a good time, so the sun won't burn your plants before they settle in.
Because they are perennial, strawberry plants are hardy enough to last even if you don't plant them at exactly the best time. If you plant too early, too late, or in the wrong weather, chances are your strawberries will still be fine. Your yield might be lower than you expected during the first year, but as long as you take good care of your plants, they'll produce well during the next season.