The Strawberry

Strawberries are native to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, and
cultivated varieties are widely grown throughout the world. The fruits are rich in vitamin
C and are commonly eaten fresh as a dessert fruit, are used as a pastry or pie filling, and
may be preserved in many ways.
Strawberries are low-growing herbaceous plants with a fibrous root system and a crown
from which arise basal leaves. The leaves are compound, typically with three leaflets,
sawtooth-edged, and usually hairy. The flowers, generally white, rarely reddish, are borne
in small clusters on slender stalks arising, like the surface-creeping stems, from the axils of
the leaves.
Most countries developed their own varieties during the 19th century, and those are often
specially suitable for the climate, day length, altitude, or type of production required in a
particular region. Strawberries are very perishable and require cool dry storage.
The strawberry succeeds in a surprisingly wide range of soils and situations and,
compared with other horticultural crops, has a low fertilizer requirement. It is, however,
susceptible to drought and requires moisture-retaining soil or irrigation by furrow or
sprinkler. Additionally, the plants are susceptible to nematodes and pathogenic soil fungi,
and many growers sterilize the soil with chemicals such asmethyl bromide prior to planting.
Runner plants are planted in early autumn if a crop is required the next year.
In areas with severe winters, plants are put out in the spring and protected during the
following winters by covering the rows with straw or other mulches.
When the winter comes:
There are three essential tasks important for how to take care of strawberry plants in the
wintertime outdoors.
Thinning
Strawberries grow best when there's space between the plants. You should strive for
approximately five plants per square foot, with more space given to plants that produce
vigorous and plentiful runners. Examine the strawberry beds in the fall and decide which
plants you can move or remove entirely. Look for vigorous growth near the crown or center
of the plant. Any plants exhibiting crown rot, poor growth habits, or poor crown
development should be removed. Transplant healthy plants to extend the existing
strawberry bed or create new areas in the garden. You can also give some plants away to
a grateful local gardener; you're sure to find takers for healthy strawberry plants!
Watering

Strawberries, like many fruit trees and plants, determine the quantity of fruit they will
produce the following year based on fall weather the prior year. Abundant fall rainfall is
essential to vigorous fruit production. If your area doesn't receive at least one to two inches
of rainwater per week starting in late September or early October, supplement the rain with
a good watering system. Gardening zones in the northern part of the United States may
need to begin watering earlier.
Mulching
Strawberry plants can freeze and die if the temperatures dip below about 15 degrees
Fahrenheit. They can also sustain frost damage during prolonged cold spells. Winter care
for strawberry plants must include mulch. Use any natural mulch such as pine needles,
wood chips or straw. Shredded newspaper may also be used as mulch. Be sure to wait
until winter has arrived before mulching the plants. The ground should be frozen with
sustained daytime temperatures very cold and close to freezing. Covering strawberry
plants too soon may result in rot. You want to cover them before the deep freeze but not
during time periods when they may still be growing.
There are very varieties of strawberry:
Wild strawberries grow in a variety of habitats, ranging from open woodlands and
meadows to sand dunes and beaches. The woodland, or alpine, strawberry can be found
throughout much of the Northern Hemisphere and bears small intensely flavourful fruits.
Common North American species include the Virginia wild strawberry and the beach, or
coastal, strawberry. The musk, or hautbois, strawberry is native to Europe and is cultivated
commercially in some areas for its unique musky aroma and flavour.

Growing strawberry in the home garden