Strawberries are a common staple of the New Zealand diet during summertime. However, many people would agree that the strawberry season is too brief in the region. Strawberries are easy to grow and come in a variety of flavours, sizes and colours.
The 10 Best Strawberry Varieties
- June-bearing strawberries: These varieties produce a large crop all at once, typically in late May or early June.
- Everbearing strawberries: These varieties produce two crops each year, with the first crop ripening in early summer and the second in late summer or early fall.
- Day-neutral strawberries: These varieties produce fruit throughout the summer months.
- Alpine strawberries: These small berries have a intense flavor and are often grown as an ornamental plant.
- Fragaria vesca: This variety is also known as wild strawberry or wood strawberry. It has a small fruit with a delicate flavor.
- Fragaria x ananassa: This variety is also known as garden strawberry. It produces large, sweet fruits that are ideal for eating fresh or using in recipes.
- Fragaria chiloensis: This variety is also known as Chilean strawberry or beach strawberry. It has small, red fruits with a sweet flavor.
- Muskmelon Strawberry: This hybrid variety has orange-yellow fruits that resemble mini cantaloupes. They have a sweet, musky flavor that is delicious in jams and pies.
9 Strawberry Guava: This tropical fruit resembles a small, red raspberry and has a fragrant, floral aroma with a sweet-tart flavor reminiscent of guava and strawberry jam.
10 White Strawberry: This albino variety has white flesh and pinkish-white skin. The
How to Plant Strawberries
If you’re looking to add some delicious strawberries to your garden, you’ll need to know how to plant them properly. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do just that:
- Choose the right variety of strawberry for your garden. There are many different types of strawberries, so it’s important to select one that will do well in your particular climate and soil type.
- Prepare the planting area by loosening the soil and adding some organic matter. This will help the roots take hold and the plants to thrive.
- Plant the strawberries at the correct depth. The crown of the plant should be just above ground level, with the roots spread out evenly below.
- Water regularly, especially during dry spells. Strawberries need quite a bit of water, so make sure to give them a good soaking every week or so.
- Fertilize every few weeks with a balanced fertilizer specifically for strawberries. This will give them the nutrients they need to produce lots of fruit.
- Mulch around the plants to help retain moisture and keep weeds at bay. A layer of straw or bark mulch works well for this purpose.
- Watch for pests and diseases and take action if necessary. Check your plants regularly for signs of problems and treat accordingly if you see anything suspicious.
With a little care and attention, your strawberry plants will soon be producing an abundance of delicious fruit
Where to Plant Strawberries
When it comes to strawberries, there are a few different things to consider when deciding where to plant them. For starters, strawberries need full sun in order to produce the best fruit. They also need well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter.
If you have these things in mind, then you can pretty much plant strawberries anywhere in your garden. However, there are a few specific areas that are better suited for strawberry plants.
One great option is to plant them along the edge of a garden bed. This way, they will get plenty of sun and won’t be competing with other plants for space and nutrients. Another option is to plant them in a dedicated strawberry bed or container. This will give them the room they need to spread out and thrive.
No matter where you decide to plant your strawberries, make sure to give them plenty of water and fertilizer throughout the growing season. With proper care, you’ll be rewarded with delicious strawberries all summer long!
Growing Strawberries Indoors
If you’re looking for a fun and easy fruit to grow indoors, then strawberries are the perfect choice! They’re relatively small, so they don’t need a lot of space, and they can even be grown in containers.
Strawberries are also one of the healthiest fruits around. They’re packed with vitamins and antioxidants, and they have been shown to help improve heart health and cognitive function.
There are many different varieties of strawberries, so you can choose the ones that best suit your taste. Some of the most popular varieties include:
• Alpine strawberries: These small strawberries have a delicate flavor that is often described as “flowery.”
• Honeoye: Honeoye strawberries are bright red and have a sweet flavor. They’re one of the earliest varieties to ripen in the season.
• Seascape: Seascape strawberries are large and sweet with a slightly tart flavor. They’re perfect for eating fresh or using in recipes.
• Chandler: Chandler berries are large and very sweet. They’re often used in desserts or for making jam.
Recipes with Strawberries
There are many different recipes that can be made with strawberries. Some of the most popular recipes include strawberry pie, strawberry cake, and strawberry jam. There are also many other recipes that can be made with strawberries, such as smoothies, salads, and even cocktails.
When it comes to choosing the best strawberry varieties to grow in your garden, there are a few things you should take into consideration. First of all, you should think about what kind of recipes you want to make with your strawberries. If you want to make pies or jams, then you will need to choose a variety that is high in sugar content. However, if you want to use your strawberries for smoothies or salads, then you will need to choose a variety that is lower in sugar content.
Another thing to consider when choosing the best strawberry varieties to grow in your garden is the climate in which you live. Some varieties of strawberries are better suited for warmer climates, while others do better in cooler climates. You should also think about how much space you have available in your garden before deciding on the number of plants you want to grow.
Once you have considered all of these factors, you will be able to narrow down your choices and choose the best strawberry varieties to grow in your garden.
