| If I buy a strawberry plant will it produce fruit this spring/summer? |
| All 3 types of strawberries (June-bearing, everbearing, and day-neutral) will produce fruit the first year. However in order to establish a hardier plant, it is recommended to remove blossoms from plants the first year that plants are set out, thus no fruit. The exception is with everbearing strawberries which only need to have blossoms removed until the middle of July. The later blossoms will produce a late summer/fall crop. However, since each type of strawberry has specific qualities and needs, don't be tempted to buy everbearers for just that one extra crop. Instead choose the type that fits your needs, and be patient with them. They will be worth the wait! A lot of strawberry growing information is available in print, but a particularly well defined article is in Rodale's "All-New Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening." The taste of strawberries can be dramatically affected by soil, climate and other local factors. Ask fellow gardeners, or your local county agent for good tasting varieties for your area. |
