Strawberry Season | Strawberries belong to the rose family and more than 20 edible fruit species are cultivated worldwide. But you will find the taste and aroma of strawberries different in different states. Strawberries dessert is one of the popular American desserts. Creams, cakes, and milkshakes are mouthwatering recipes of temperate fruit. This article is going to help you choose the correct variety of strawberries at right time. You will also know the techniques of planting and harvesting strawberries. Let us explore briefly:
Variety of Strawberries
There are several varieties of strawberries available in the market. Variety of the fruit changes as per the area. The temperature, humidity, and other climatic conditions vary from location to location, so the fruit variety also changes. Northern hemisphere countries are the native lands for planting strawberries. In many regions of the world, farmers developed new kinds of strawberries as per, climatic condition, soil, day length, and altitude. It is the reason you will find tens of strawberry varieties worldwide. Here are a few climate-specific strawberries types given:
1. June-bearing strawberries
After cultivation, June-bearing strawberries are ready to harvest in mid-June to mid-July. It depends upon the planting time when the fruit gets ready. The advantage of cultivation is that June-bearing strawberry trees are rich in strawberries. If you want t get more strawberries in a shorter period, go for this one.
2. Alpine strawberries
Farmers often choose alpine strawberries, when there is less space to grow strawberry trees. Alpine strawberries bear fruit with shorter trees. It is the best variety to grow in home gardens.
3. Day-neutral strawberries
You can yield the fruit of the tree in the whole strawberry season. Day-neutral strawberries bear a longer growing season and are considered the ever-growing strawberry variety.
Usually, the ever-growing strawberry variety is the best one. With a longer growing season, you can fruit of the strawberry tree twice a year. Once you may harvest in early summer, and then in early autumn.
When to Plant?
Planting season starts immediately after harvesting previous fruit. The strawberry season lasts only for three weeks. Some strawberries can be harvested around the year and others can be eaten once a year. It all depends upon the type of strawberry you choose to plant. Usually, March to April is the best season for strawberries to sow.
How to plant?
Planting in strawberry season is easy but a little tricky.
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Choose basket instead of mud container or pot
The handwoven baskets are available in the nursery or market. These baskets come with hanging string. All you need to do is place a polythene sheet in the bottom of the basket, covering the sides and rim of the basket as well. Make small holes in the polythene to let the strawberries hang outside. Each basket of 14-inches may carry nearly 4 strawberry trees.
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Add compost and soil to the basket
Add compost and soil with a 1:1 ratio. Add soil-gripping granules also. Place the basket in an open area and add the soil and potting mix in the bottom mid of the basket. It will help to give proper space for the roots to grow.
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Dip the strawberry roots in water
In a large tub, take little water that will help t dip the roots of the strawberry plant. The purpose is to provide enough moisture to the roots. Separate the roots from each other and avoid sticking the roots with soil. It will help to grow the plant with great nourishment.
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Place the plant in the basket carefully
Place the plant in the basket near the edge. You need to plant the tree in such a way that the roots of the strawberry plant will stick in the soil only 1-inch down the rim. The rest of the whole plant will be placed around the basket just like flowers are decorated and fall outside the basket.
Strawberry roots need enough air to breathe and grow. Sowing the plant only 1-inch down around the rim will give enough space for the tree to grow.
When to Harvest?
Strawberries get ready to eat when days are warm and nights are cool. March to July is the best season for strawberries. If you need strawberries for your kitchen usage, Pick fully ripened strawberries when they are red.
If you are a farmer and export the strawberries, you need to get tricky while picking. Usually, the strawberry pickers pick firmer strawberries. As importing the fruit takes time, it may soften or spoil the fully ripened fruit.
How can you know fruit is ripened?
A ripened strawberry is red, shiny, and carriesa sweet scent. For the home kitchen, pick it and enjoy it immediately. If strawberries are firmer and carry a bit white part, it means you have picked raw strawberries. Raw strawberries are often sour and less sweet. But farmers like to pick a bit firm strawberries to keep the strawberries for 2-3 days. If you have picked a raw strawberry, it will not ripe after detaching the tree.
Precautionary Actions
- If you are a strawberry lover, try the strawberries of your area. It will be ripened and tastier. The reason is that picking and transporting the delicate fruit takes time. So to avoid bruising, farmers try to pick out raw strawberries.
- Strawberries are very soft and delicate. If one strawberry gets mushed or bruises, your all fruit in one pot will start deteriorating.
How to preserve the strawberries?
Strawberries are too fragile and delicate to handle. You may keep strawberries in your refrigerator for two days only. Later on, it may start spoiling. However, you may preserve it in the freezer for a longer time. Here are the two best ways to store.
- Wash the strawberries and remove the caps of the fruit. Grease the tray and place strawberries in the freezer, when they will get hard, remove them. Place all hard strawberries in a bowl or a polythene bag. You may use these strawberries for six months.
- Take a bowl, and place layers of strawberries with sugar. You can freeze or refrigerate it for a couple of weeks.
Final Thoughts
Increasing usage and advancement in recipes have instigated the farmers to grow more and more strawberries. The advancement in planting technology has made strawberries available for the whole year. Strawberries are used for preparing and dressing desserts. It adds extra flavor to the food. People of all ages love to eat strawberries.
Strawberry season lasts for a shorter span. With proper care, you can grow strawberries in your kitchen garden as well. Do not miss the upcoming strawberry season. Try to sow and enjoy your own planted fruit.