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FACTS
PICKING
HEALTH BENEFITS
FESTIVAL
RECIPES
OTHER USES
PUZZLE


GROWING

        Strawberries are the first fruit to ripen in the spring.  There are three major classes of strawberries:  June bearer, Ever bearer, and Day neutral.  The most significant difference between these three types is the day length conditions that encourages the budding of flower formation.  For June bearers they begin their flower budding in the fall when days are relatively short and then in the following spring they bear fruit.  Ever bearers start their flowers and fruits under long hot days of summer.  Last, Day neutrals will initiate their flower buds under any length of day light.  The last two types, at least in Michigan, are planted the most because they provide the longest picking season.  The best time for harvest depends on where one lives in Michigan.  If you live in southern Michigan, you should being your harvesting in early June.  If you live in northern Michigan, you could do your harvesting as late as July.

        Plants are placed in the ground so that the roots are not crowed and the crowns (rooftops) are even with the ground.  By preventing the first year flowers from developing, the gardener can increase the plant's strength.  Strawberries seem to prefer a well drained soil, high in organic matter if you have it and straw, pine needles and other mulching material around the plants keep the soil moist and the berries clean.  In northern climates, the plants should be covered in the winter.  They need full sun light at least 6 hours per day for the highest yields.  Do not plant strawberries where peppers, tomatoes, eggplants and potatoes have previously been planted.  These plants tend to retain verticillium wilt which can serious damage your plants.  The amount of water they need to survive is only about one inch per week during the growing season.