Is There Any Way of Telling What Type of Strawberry Plants I Have?

Strawberry Type

• Identify the type of strawberry plants you have by watching when they produce fruit. Summer-bearing types produce one large crop of berries in late spring or summer. These plants are prone to frost damage. Day-neutral berries produce smaller quantities of berries throughout the growing season, but don't tolerate hot temperatures. They are generally grown in the North. Ever-bearing strawberries produce a crop in early summer, followed by a large crop in the fall. They may produce berries sporadically throughout the growing season.

Strawberry Variety

• Once you've determined whether you have summer-bearing, day-neutral or ever-bearing strawberry plants, you can try to identify the cultivar. Visit a nursery or garden center to find the varieties most commonly grow in your area. Most nurseries carry only two or three types. For example, in cold climates, you'll likely see Ft. Laramie, Lateglow or Ogallala. In warm climates, Earlyglow, Ozark Beauty and Allstar are common cultivars. Chances are the strawberry growing in your yard is the one most readily available in your region.

Fruit Size and Quality

• Another way to determine strawberry plant type is by looking at the size and quality of the fruit. Many strawberries are indistinguishable one from another, but a few have fairly obvious characteristics. Alpine strawberries, for example, are small, prolific and extremely flavorful. Honeoye strawberries have a strong, distinctive flavor that some people love; others find the flavor too powerful.

Considerations

• Regardless of the strawberry type, all strawberries need the same care. Plant strawberries in full sun, in well-drained, light soil amended with compost and manure. Fertilize the strawberries with a balanced fertilizer after planting and then again after bearing fruit. Remove the blossoms until July to allow the plants to develop strong roots. Mulch with straw and provide at least 1 inch of water weekly.