planting this favorite fruit in containers, you can relocate the pot, you don't have to deal with birds, squirrels, and slugs that want to eat the
berries, and if you live in a northern climate you can bring the strawberry plant inside when the weather turns chilly. Although strawberries were not introduced to California until the early 1900's, today 80% of this country's
strawberries are grown in the land of sunshine due to the perfect growing conditions along the coastal areas. Don't worry if you don't live in sunny California, you can still grow this fruit successfully.
The bareroot plant
should be planted in soil by early November. To get the best pick of these plants, visit your local nursery early. For container strawberries, look for Sequoia, they do the best. Wrap bareroot plants in plastic and place in the
refrigerator to keep them cool, but be careful not to freeze them.
Strawberry plants live only two to three years and then they should be replaced for best fruit production. It might be a little difficult to wait for your
berries to appear, but patience is rewarded when this berry bears fruit in its second growing year.
At the nursery, pick up a deep terra cotta plant container. Strawberry plants love to spread out roots and go deep into the
soil. You will need a potting mixture and some type of organic soil amendment.
When time to plant, take the bareroot plants from the refrigerator and cut the roots to six inches. Fan out the roots in the planting
hole. The base of the crown of the plant should be set at soil level, as buried crowns will rot and plants set too high will dry out and die. After you see the first bloom, count one month, then the fruit is ready to pick.
Spectacular plants, great berries and incredible treats. Just rewards from the earth.
