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Strawberries
 Strawberry
plants are either June-bearers, ever-bearers or day-neutrals, depending on
how the fruit grows on the plant. June-bearers fruit over several weeks in
the spring, usually in June. Guardian and Honeoye are good June-bearing
varieties. Ever-bearers have two major fruiting cycles with additional
limited fruit production throughout the growing season. Quinalt and Fort
Laramie are dependable varieties in this area. Ever-bearers are considered
hardier than June-bearers. Day-neutral varieties, developed from genetic
material found in the Rocky Mountains, fruit in six-week cycles with three
or more cycles throughout the growing season. Tribute and Tristar are good
day-neutral varieties.
Plant strawberries away from wind where they will get full sunlight for
at least eight hours a day. Avoid planting strawberries in soils which
have had raspberries, cherries, tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants or peppers
growing in them within the past five years. These Crops may have been
infected with diseases that can affect strawberries.
Plant strawberries 12 to 24 inches apart in rows 42 inches apart. A
solid mat of plants will form. It is important to place the crown of the
plant, where the leaves attach to the root, just above the soil. If
planted too low, the plant will rot; if too high, the plant will dry out.
In the first year, remove the flowers to encourage the development of the
plant.
Drip irrigation will conserve water and keep the foliage dry. Overhead
watering can lead to an increase in diseases such as leaf spot. Birds,
which eat ripe fruit, can be controlled with one-quarter to one-half inch
plastic mesh netting over the strawberry bed.
Mulch, such as clear or black plastic sheeting, can discourage some
insects, conserve moisture, moderate temperatures, decrease erosion and
reduce weeds. Cover the soil with the plastic and plant the strawberries
in holes cut in the plastic. In warmer climates, plastic mulch may need to
be covered with an organic mulch to prevent burns on the foliage. In the
winter, two inches of straw over the plants after the ground freezes will
help protect against damage.
For more information, see the following Colorado State Extension fact sheet(s).
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