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It is very important that you up-pot your plant to a larger container as soon as possible when it arrives. Your plant's new container should have a couple of drainage holes, and should be at least a couple gallons larger than the nursery pot. Check out our up-potting video for detailed instructions on how to ensure a happy healthy new home for your plant.
Strawberries are self-fertile, so they do not require a pollinator. That being said, they will produce a more plentiful harvest if they have a friend blooming around the same time.
Strawberries need a minimum of 8 hours direct sunlight per day. Sufficient sun exposure triggers the initiation of new flower buds for the next growing season, without which there will be no fruit. Fruit ripening and flavor development are also benefited by the carbohydrate production stimulated by the sun, as well as it’s heat.
While strawberries do love the sun, they are prone to leaf scorch, or damage to the fruit if they are left in extremely hot temperatures, in direct sunlight, with insufficient water. Make sure that your strawberries recieve enough water, and move them to a semi-shaded area if you notice leaf-scorching.
Strawberries should be watered deeply once to twice a week. Water until the soil is saturated and water comes out of the drainage holes. Let the container dry until the soil is dry to the touch 1 inch down. During particularly hot temperatures, your plant may need water every other day.
Your plant should have come with both a compressed potting soil, and a soluable fast-acting plant food. Fertilize your plant once when you first pot your plant, and then again after you harvest your strawberries.
Strawberries are happy to stay outside in winter, unprotected, down to temperatures as low as 20°. During winter, the strawberry bush goes dormant and doesn't require regular watering or fertilizing.
If you are experiencing particularly cold temps, your plant should be brought into a cool, dry, dark place for the duration of it's dormancy. An unheated garage is perfect. When temperatures get above freezing in spring, it is ready to come back outside.
Strawberries ripen on-the-vine, and you know that they are ready to be picked when they are a rich red color. Alpine strawberries will become ripe several weeks or even a month or two before other strawberries, but their shelf life is short, even if kept in a cool dry place (but they're too tasty to leave laying around for more than a day or two anyway!)
Your fruit isn't just delicious for you, lots of other critters would be happy to get their hands on your hard work. Pests and diseases vary greatly depending on region, so we suggest you take advantage of your local resources. If you can't determine what is ailing your plant by googling the symptoms, give a call to your local county agricultural extension office.
