Strawberries are a relatively simple fruit to grow in the home garden. They can be grown successfully throughout the state. Of course, the plants will require weekly irrigation when the rains subside, so be sure the location you choose is accessible to water. Also look for a spot that receives full sun, as shade can reduce fruit set. Strawberries have several diseases in common with other berry plants as well as crops like tomatoes, potatoes and peppers. Be sure the site you select has not been used for any of these crops for several years.
Strawberries are grouped into three general categories. The first are June-bearing strawberries, which produce a single crop from May through mid-June in Oklahoma. They are the best adapted for Oklahoma and are available in early-, mid- and late-season cultivars. Everbearing strawberries produce berries from May to mid-June, and again in the fall. Overall production may not be as high as that of June-bearing varieties. The final type of strawberry is called day-neutral. These produce fruits all season, but they are sensitive to heat and are not recommended for Oklahoma. When selecting cultivars and purchasing plants, be sure to buy certified, disease-free plants from a reputable supplier. Planting more than one cultivar with different maturation times is a great way to extend the harvest season.
Strawberries can be planted in a raised bed, in mounded rows or simply in beds in the ground. However, when you raise the soil, you improve drainage. Mix a thick, 3 or 4 inch layer of compost into the soil to add organic matter. As you prepare the bed, limit the width to around 3 or 4 feet so you can easily reach in to harvest. If you are planting multiple rows of strawberries, leave 4 feet between the rows.
Strawberries are planted in February or March, but you want to watch the weather. Avoid planting just before a cold spell. There are a number of planting systems that can be used for growing strawberries, but in the home garden, the most common method is the matted row system. This system uses wide plant spacing and relies on the strawberry plants ability to send out runners and establish new plants as a means of filling the bed. As strawberries grow, they send out runners along the soil surface. New plants develop along these runners, take root and produce new plants. This is how the plants will spread throughout our beds.
Strawberry plants are typically sold bare-root, and need to be protected from drying out during planting. Keep plants in a bucket of water or wrap them in a damp towel during planting. Before setting out the plants, remove all but the three strongest leaves. Space the plants 1.5 to 2 feet apart in the row. The runners are allowed to grow in all directions and fill the bed. A single plant can produce 30 to 50 runners in a season.
The depth at which strawberries are planted is critical. If the plant is set too deep, the crown will rot, too shallow and the roots will dry out. Set the plants so that the crown, which is the point where the leaves arise, is level with the ground surface. Spread the roots out to the sides when planting. If the roots are long, you may choose to trim them with a scissors or sharp knife.
One way to set strawberries at the correct depth is to dig wide holes and mound soil piles in the center of the hole. Adjust the height of the mound so the plant crown is at the surface level. Spread the roots over the mound and refill the hole with soil. Hold the plant at the crown as you work, making sure it remains level with the soil line. Double check the planting depth when you finish. Once you have finished setting out all the plants, water each one in well with at least a pint of water a piece.
Strawberries are shallow-rooted and need one inch of water each week. Mulching around plants will help retain soil moisture and also combat weeds. June-bearing berries will not produce a crop until the summer following planting. If flowers appear, remove them by hand; this will direct all of the plant’s energy to vegetative growth and not fruiting. The everbearing plants should produce a fair crop the first fall.
OSU Fact Sheet HLA-6214 Growing Strawberries in the Home Garden provides more information on strawberry production.
If you have questions concerning this topic or related topics, please contact the OSU Extension Center at 273-7683, stop by the office, or visit our Web site: http://countyext.okstate.edu/pottawatomie.
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Strawberries are a relatively simple fruit to grow in the home garden. They can be grown successfully throughout the state. Of course, the plants will require weekly irrigation when the rains subside, so be sure the location you choose is accessible to water. Also look for a spot that receives full sun, as shade can reduce fruit set. Strawberries have several diseases in common with other berry plants as well as crops like tomatoes, potatoes and peppers. Be sure the site you select has not been used for any of these crops for several years.
Strawberries are grouped into three general categories. The first are June-bearing strawberries, which produce a single crop from May through mid-June in Oklahoma. They are the best adapted for Oklahoma and are available in early-, mid- and late-season cultivars. Everbearing strawberries produce berries from May to mid-June, and again in the fall. Overall production may not be as high as that of June-bearing varieties. The final type of strawberry is called day-neutral. These produce fruits all season, but they are sensitive to heat and are not recommended for Oklahoma. When selecting cultivars and purchasing plants, be sure to buy certified, disease-free plants from a reputable supplier. Planting more than one cultivar with different maturation times is a great way to extend the harvest season.
Strawberries can be planted in a raised bed, in mounded rows or simply in beds in the ground. However, when you raise the soil, you improve drainage. Mix a thick, 3 or 4 inch layer of compost into the soil to add organic matter. As you prepare the bed, limit the width to around 3 or 4 feet so you can easily reach in to harvest. If you are planting multiple rows of strawberries, leave 4 feet between the rows.
Strawberries are planted in February or March, but you want to watch the weather. Avoid planting just before a cold spell. There are a number of planting systems that can be used for growing strawberries, but in the home garden, the most common method is the matted row system. This system uses wide plant spacing and relies on the strawberry plants ability to send out runners and establish new plants as a means of filling the bed. As strawberries grow, they send out runners along the soil surface. New plants develop along these runners, take root and produce new plants. This is how the plants will spread throughout our beds.
Strawberry plants are typically sold bare-root, and need to be protected from drying out during planting. Keep plants in a bucket of water or wrap them in a damp towel during planting. Before setting out the plants, remove all but the three strongest leaves. Space the plants 1.5 to 2 feet apart in the row. The runners are allowed to grow in all directions and fill the bed. A single plant can produce 30 to 50 runners in a season.
The depth at which strawberries are planted is critical. If the plant is set too deep, the crown will rot, too shallow and the roots will dry out. Set the plants so that the crown, which is the point where the leaves arise, is level with the ground surface. Spread the roots out to the sides when planting. If the roots are long, you may choose to trim them with a scissors or sharp knife.
One way to set strawberries at the correct depth is to dig wide holes and mound soil piles in the center of the hole. Adjust the height of the mound so the plant crown is at the surface level. Spread the roots over the mound and refill the hole with soil. Hold the plant at the crown as you work, making sure it remains level with the soil line. Double check the planting depth when you finish. Once you have finished setting out all the plants, water each one in well with at least a pint of water a piece.
Strawberries are shallow-rooted and need one inch of water each week. Mulching around plants will help retain soil moisture and also combat weeds. June-bearing berries will not produce a crop until the summer following planting. If flowers appear, remove them by hand; this will direct all of the plant’s energy to vegetative growth and not fruiting. The everbearing plants should produce a fair crop the first fall.
OSU Fact Sheet HLA-6214 Growing Strawberries in the Home Garden provides more information on strawberry production.
If you have questions concerning this topic or related topics, please contact the OSU Extension Center at 273-7683, stop by the office, or visit our Web site: http://countyext.okstate.edu/pottawatomie.
