Growing
Berries Series – III
Growing Strawberries
Jane
Holmes
Published by Jane Holmes
Smashwords Edition
Copyright
2011 – Jane Holmes
Table
of Contents
Introduction,
About Strawberries, The Perfect Site,
Preparing the Soil,
Choosing Your Strawberry Plants,
Plant Resources, Planting
Your Strawberries, Caring
for Your
Strawberry Bed,
Strawberry Recipes, The
Health Benefits of Strawberries.
Growing
Strawberries
Introduction
Another of
our favorite fruits to grow is strawberries. We have had several
beds over the years and its now time to plant a new one. Strawberries
are a fruit that adapts itself well to our New Hampshire climate,
both in the southern and northern parts of the state. There are
certain varieties that do better in one spot or the other, but all in
all, strawberries can be a successful crop here. A good strawberry
bed, well taken care of, will produce abundantly for four to five
years before re-planting is necessary.
Although we’ve had
experience in this many times, I still like to log into the
University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extensive Service website and
refresh my memory as to what we need to do to prepare for our
planting. It was this website that got us started years ago with the
proper prep-work and the necessary steps to be successful with our
strawberries.
I have a great deal of respect for the
Cooperative Extension Service, both the University of New Hampshire
and our local office, the Coos County Extension Service. We have
attended many of their classes and I’ve used their web sites
extensively. No matter where you live, there is certain to be a
County Extension Service for your area. The education and assistance
you can get from them is truly amazing.
The Perfect
Site
One of the most important decisions when it comes to
planting strawberries, is selecting just the right site for them. It
pays to be selective and prepare your soil properly before planting.
This is a five year commitment and worth the extra work it might take
to get the ground ready. Here are a few important steps to
follow:
1. Get your soil tested. The Cooperative
Extension Service office in your area can supply you with the
paperwork and instructions to do your soil test. If there is a
certain nutrient missing in your soil for strawberries, the test will
reveal it, and you’ll be able to supplement it in your soil.
2.
Strawberries like a deep sandy loam that is rich in organic
matter.
3. The soil needs to be in a spot that drains well.
Strawberries do not like to get their feet wet. If an area remains
wet late into the spring, that is an indication that it does not
drain well and is not the right spot for a strawberry bed.
4.
Strawberries like a spot that will supply full sunlight for most of
the day.
5. A gradual slope is ideal as it will help
“drain” the frost away on a cold day, keeping your plants from
freezing. Running your rows lengthwise the slope leaves the path
between each row leading down hill, thereby coaxing the frost and
cold air to literally “drain away”. This is a great frost
protection for your bed.
6. Do not plant where peppers,
potatoes, eggplant or tomatoes have been grown within the last few
years. These plants have a history of carrying fungal diseases such
as Verticillum (root rot), which can affect strawberry roots.
7.
A site close to irrigation is important, whether a brook, pond or
commercial irrigation system. Strawberries, like other berries,
demand water.
Preparing the Soil
The Cooperative
Extension Service suggests that you start your soil preparation
early, as it can take up to two years to bring it up to ideal
conditions for strawberries.
1. Do a soil test (as
mentioned above).
2. Strawberries need a pH of 5.8 to 6.2.
The results of your soil test will tell you exactly what your pH
level is and suggest corrections, if necessary.
3. It
is often necessary to supplement with ground limestone if the soil is
too acidic.
4. Sowing buckwheat or oats as a cover crop
early in the spring and rolling it under before it blossoms or goes
to seed will add a great deal of organic matter to your
soil.
Choosing Your Strawberry Plants
There are
many varieties of strawberry plants to choose from, but there are a
few simple rules to help you choose:
1.Make sure the
variety you choose will work in your planting zone. Here in northern
New Hampshire, we are tied to Zones 3 and 4. A plant
cultivated for Zones 6 or 7 would not be hardy enough to withstand
our winters.
2. Be sure to look for plants resistant to
Verticillium and red stele, two forms of root rot that can destroy a
strawberry bed very quickly.
3. You will want plants with a
history of good yields.
4. Look for a plant that is known
to be a vigorous grower and that puts
out good runners.
5.
Deal only with nurseries or mail order companies that you know
have a good reputation for sending disease free and top quality
stock.6. Spend the time to research the varieties you are
interested in. Time spent now will pay off big time later.
Plant Resources
First of all, check out your
local nurseries. We have several in our area that are top notch. I’m
a true believe in “Buy Local”. By visiting your local nurseries
you can see the plants you are purchasing. It gives you am
opportunity to pick out the best looking stock. Don’t be afraid to
ask about disease resistance. Ask around. Other people who have
used plants from a local nursery will be quick to tell you how
great they were or if they encountered a problem.