Rosaceae · Fragaria × ananassa
Native to: France
The garden strawberry is a widely grown hybrid species of the genus Fragaria, collectively known as the strawberries, which are cultivated worldwide for their fruit. The fruit is widely appreciated for its characteristic aroma, bright red color, juicy texture, and sweetness.
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Make sure the strawberry crowns (tops of the roots) are at soil level or they will rot.
Mulch under ripening fruit with straw or sugar cane to help prevent rot.
Avoid soil that has previously grown other berries or members of the tomato family (Solanaceae) to reduce the danger of viral diseases.
Avoid watering the leaves. Drip water.
Place the pot in a sheltered spot over the winter, ideally near a house wall and on an insulating material such as wood or polystyrene.
Runner removal is an important part of strawberry bed maintenance. The runners, if left, tend to overcrowd the bed so that in the 2nd year the original strawberry bed is too crowded to be very productive at all. It takes time to do this annual clean-up and replenishment of the strawberry beds but it will reward you with a large crop. It is common to see strawberry beds left to become overcrowded in the garden with 2 or 3 years worth of runners fighting for space, but these beds produce very few strawberries.
Common Problems: Aphids, Grey mould, Caterpillars, Downy mildew, Animals, Slugs and snails
When to harvest: October to April
Strawberries are ready to harvest when they are fully coloured and fragrant. Harvest fruit by cutting with snips/secateurs or by twisting to separate from the stem. Harvest regularly to encourage more fruit. If you can, remove the stalk and stem from the plant too.
Strawberries are best eaten soon after they are harvested. Strawberries can be stored short term in a container in the fridge. For longer term storage, strawberries can be frozen or made into preserves.
To prepare runners for planting, remove dead leaves and stalks and prune any roots that look dry or shrivelled.
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