Strawberry

Growing

When planting strawberries, establish a healthy crown and keep the soil slightly acidic, between 5.5 and 7.0 pH. Because these are perennials, you can propagate them by division to expand your patch. Harvest timing varies with the variety; short-day, long-day, and day-neutral cultivars all respond differently to light cycles. Day-neutral types keep producing flowers and fruit regardless of day length.

Watch your plants for slugs, aphids, and strawberry root weevils, which can cause damage. Aphids can also carry the strawberry mild yellow-edge virus. Fungal problems like powdery mildew or leaf spot often strike when the plants are under environmental stress.

Harvest berries once they are fully red and ripe, as they will not sweeten once removed from the vine. Store berries unwashed in the fridge. Extra berries can be frozen for later use.