A Hensley's Seed Co. guide, drawing on advice from Lynn Byczynski, founder of Growing for Market
Tips for Selecting Which Types of Strawberries to Grow
Strawberries are among the most popular fruits for American gardens and market farms, and they can be grown almost anywhere and in almost any way, from hanging baskets and fields to hoophouses and vertical farms. The key is matching the strawberry type to your growing system and the harvest window you want; some need lots of room, while others thrive in containers. Here's a quick look at how the three main types differ and how each can be grown.
June-Bearing Strawberry Varieties (a.k.a. Summer Fruiting Varieties)
Harvest window
June-bearers fruit earliest, ripening their whole crop at once in June, or sooner in warm climates. They set flower buds in fall and bloom the next spring. After fruiting, they put their energy into runners (daughter plants) that will fruit the following year.
Establishment
June-bearers need a full establishment year in which you pinch off every flower bud so the plants put their energy into getting established. The reward is a bigger crop in the next, first-fruiting year.
Renovation
Renovation keeps beds of June-bearers healthy and productive. Plan to renovate every year after harvest, beginning in the second year. Beds usually produce for 3–5 years before they need replanting. For details, see our strawberry production guide.
Growing Instructions for June-Bearing Strawberries
- June-bearing strawberries: growing information
- Strawberry production: growing from dormant bare-root plants • tech sheet (PDF)
Everbearing & Day-Neutral Strawberry Varieties
Harvest window
"Everbearing" and "day-neutral" are often used as if they mean the same thing, but there are small differences.
Everbearers typically produce two main crops a year: one in late spring or early summer and another in late summer or fall, with little fruit in between.
In the South, they may start blooming in late winter and fruit through spring until the heat shuts them down, then bloom again in late summer and fruit into fall when conditions allow.
Day-neutrals are in effect more productive everbearers, since day length has little effect on when they flower. In the North they bloom from spring and fruit through summer and into fall in their first year; in the South they bloom in late winter and fruit through spring and again in fall. They're usually grown as annuals, but if they make it through winter they'll produce a second, somewhat smaller crop.
Establishment
Unlike June-bearers, everbearing and day-neutral plants don't need a full establishment year, so you can pick berries the first season. Pinch off all flowers for the first 6 weeks after planting, then let them bloom and fruit.
They're usually planted in spring, but fall planting works in mild-winter areas (roughly Zone 7 and warmer). Fall-planted strawberries often grow more vigorously and fruit earlier the next spring, often skipping the usual spring establishment period. See the growing instructions below for more.
Day-neutral beds last one to two seasons after establishment. Don't renovate them.
Growing Day-Neutral varieties in Containers
Day-neutral and everbearing strawberries are great in containers on a patio or deck. Some, like 'Seascape', fruit on runners that haven't rooted yet, making pretty hanging baskets with runner plants spilling over the sides.
Growing Instructions for Day-Neutral Strawberries
- Day-neutral (everbearing) strawberries: growing information
- Strawberry production: growing from dormant bare-root plants • tech sheet (PDF)
- Strawberry production: growing in hanging containers from bare-root plants • tech sheet (PDF)
Alpine Strawberries
Alpine strawberries like 'Alexandria'bear small berries packed with flavor. They make few runners and are normally grown from seed, and most are day-neutral or everbearing.
Alpines are well suited to strawberry pots, window boxes and other containers, or as an edging in vegetable, herb or flower gardens. They tolerate partial shade, making them a good fit for many home gardens.
Growing Instructions for Alpine Strawberries
Learn More
Hardiness varies by variety, so check that your zone falls within the range listed for each one. Most state extension services offer regional growing advice.
For organic growing, see the ATTRA publication Strawberries: Organic Production.
For a season-long succession of strawberries, see our strawberry planting and harvest program.
