- Strawberries | Instructions for Growing from Seed, including Traditional & Alpine Strawberries | Tech Sheet (PDF)
- Basics of Growing Hoophouse Strawberries, by Lynn Byczinski
- Summer-Bearing / June-Bearing Strawberries | Key Growing Information
- Day-Neutral / Everbearing Strawberries | Key Growing Information
- Strawberries | Instructions for Growing from Bare-root Plants | Tech Sheet (PDF)
- Strawberry Succession Planting/Harvesting Program
- Strawberries | Instructions for Growing in Hanging Containers from Bare-root Plants | Tech Sheet (PDF)
- 3 Main Types of Strawberries: Tips for Selecting Which Types to Grow
Tips for Selecting Which Types of Strawberries to Grow
Strawberries are one of the most popular fruits in American gardens and market farms. They can be grown in many different places and ways, from hanging baskets to fields, hoophouses to vertical farming. The trick is to match your growing system and harvest window to the type of strawberry you want to grow. For example, Some varieties need plenty of space, whereas others can be grown in containers. Here is a quick overview of the basic differences and production options for the three main types.
June-Bearing Strawberry Varieties (a.k.a. Summer Fruiting Varieties)
Harvest window
June-bearing varieties are the earliest type to fruit, producing berries all at once as a single crop in June, or earlier in warmer climates. These types initiate fruit buds in fall and blossom the following spring. They produce one crop and then expend energy vegetatively propagating by sending out runners, also called daughter plants, that will fruit the following year.
Establishment
June-bearing plants require a full establishment year during which you will remove all flower buds to encourage the plant to put its energy into becoming established. By doing so, the plant will yield a larger crop the following — or first-bearing — year. Renovation: Renovation is a process performed on beds of summer-fruiting varieties to maintain plant health and production. Expect to renovate your June-bearing strawberry beds every year starting in year two. Beds will fruit for 3-5 years before needing to be replanted.
Growing Instructions for June-Bearing Strawberries
- June-Bearing Strawberries • Key Growing Information
- Strawberry Production • Instructions for Growing from Dormant Bare-root Plants • Tech Sheet (PDF)
Everbearing (Day-Neutral) Strawberry Varieties
Harvest window
Once established, day-neutral varieties produce fruit all summer into October, hence their alternate name, everbearing.
Establishment
Unlike June-bearing plants, everbearing plants do not need a full year for establishment, thus you can enjoy fruit their first year. Remove all of the flower buds for the first 6 weeks after setting out your plants, then allow the plants to flower and fruit.
Day-neutral beds will last for one to two growing seasons once established. Do not renovate day-neutral varieties.
Growing Day-Neutral varieties in Containers
Day-neutral strawberries are good for container production on a deck or patio. Some varieties, for example, 'Seascape', will fruit on unrooted runners, so they make attractive hanging baskets, with the runner plants cascading over the sides of the basket.
Growing Instructions for Day-Neutral Strawberries
- Day-Neutral (Everbearing) Strawberries • Key Growing Information
- Strawberry Production • Instructions for Growing from Dormant Bare-root Plants • Tech Sheet (PDF)
- Strawberry Production • Instructions for Growing in Hanging Containers from Bare-root Plants • Tech Sheet (PDF)
Alpine Strawberries
Alpine strawberries, such as 'Alexandria', are a type that produces small but intensely flavorful berries. They do not send out many runners and are usually grown from seed.
Alpine types work well in strawberry pots, window boxes, and other containers, or as edging in the vegetable, herb, or ornamental garden. They also can be grown with less than full sun, so they are a good choice for many home gardeners.
Growing Instructions for Alpine Strawberries
Learn More
Varieties differ in hardiness, so be sure to match your growing zone to the range of zones listed for each variety. Region-specific growing information is available from most state extension services.
For information on growing under certified-organic conditions, see the publication from ATTRA titled Strawberries: Organic Production.
To learn how to produce a season-long, sequential strawberry harvest, see our Strawberry Planting/Harvesting Program.