While other regions of the nation have already finished the growing season for strawberries, we in South Florida are just getting started with our crop! These low-growing herbs do not fare well in the hot conditions that we see throughout the summer to grow strawberries in Florida, but they thrive in the colder temperatures that October offers. If you plant the seeds immediately, you may look forward to picking juicy, flavourful strawberries in weeks rather than months. If you grow them at the proper time of year and provide them with the appropriate Environment, you should have no trouble growing strawberries in Florida. Continue reading to get the information that you should need to begin producing strawberries in Florida.
Quick Access
Is it hard to grow strawberries in Florida?
Because they are so prone to illness and cannot stand the heat, strawberries in Florida are cultivated as annual plants planting Strawberries in Florida. Most strawberry varieties in this region are short-day plants, sometimes referred to as June-bearers in areas farther north. When days are short (day duration is fewer than 14 hours) and temperatures are chilly, these plants get the signal to create blooms.
For strawberry transplants from the north to start blooming as soon as possible, they are planted in Florida in September and October. This allows the day lengths to be shorter throughout the growing season. If cold temperatures prevail throughout April, they will maintain their bloom and fruit production cycle.
Things need to grow strawberries
If you are planting strawberries in a garden bed, provide 10 to 18 inches of space between each plant. Dig a sufficiently deep and broad hole for each plant; careful not to compress the roots as you work. The crown, which is the point where the stems and roots meet, should be flush with the top of the soil. After you have finished filling in the gaps with dirt, be sure to water it well. You should be able to fit around three strawberry plants into each hanging basket or another kind of container while growing strawberries in Florida.
If you discover that birds, rabbits, and other pests are a problem in your yard, you may safeguard your strawberry plants by draping netting over them. This will prevent birds, rabbits, and other critters from eating your crop. To guarantee that your strawberry plants get all the nutrients they need, you should routinely water them, apply a well-balanced fertilizer, and stay on top of the weeding. If there is a possibility of frost, protect the plants by covering them with a sheet or a lightweight blanket. This will prevent the plants from being harmed.
When to plant strawberries in florida
The plants that produce strawberries are low-growing herbs that form clusters by spreading by runners. Strawberries are often cultivated as annuals rather than perennials in Florida because their productivity typically decreases as the temperatures in the summertime rise.
Even though there are a lot of cultivars available to buy, not all of them are good choices for planting in Florida. Some cultivars suitable for growing in Florida are ‘Sweet Charlie,’ ‘Camarosa,’ ‘Chandler,’ ‘Oso Grande,’ ‘Selva,’ and ‘Festival.’ When you plant anything will depend on where in the state you are situated.
Planting periods might vary considerably. The 15th of September through the 15th of October is the planting window for gardeners in North Florida, the 25th of September through the 25th of October is the planting window for gardeners in Central Florida, and the 1st of October through the 1st of December is the planting window for growing strawberries in Florida.
Late in the autumn or early winter, visit your neighborhood garden store to pick up some transplants, and then space them out between 10 and 18 inches. You may plant them on the ground, in raised beds, or in containers to grow strawberries in Florida. All three options are viable. To get the best possible outcomes, it is recommended that the plants be grown in nutrient-dense soil or potting medium, that they be watered often, and that they be fertilized on a routine basis with a well-balanced fertilizer.
Using a lightweight blanket to cover the plants if a frost or freeze is forecasted effectively protects the plants’ blossoms and fruits from harm. After planting, the first crop of berries should be available for picking about 90–110 days later. If you have problems with animals like birds or rabbits eating your fruit, you may try protecting the plants with netting.
When picking berries, look for at least three-quarters of their surface to have turned red before doing so. Once they have been plucked, the berries will not continue to sweeten beyond that point. Eat freshly harvested strawberries as soon as possible after harvesting them since their shelf life is often just a few days after being collected. You may preserve your abundance of berries by freezing them if you want to.
Growing conditions
Beginning in the autumn, Florida strawberries may be planted in home gardens and produce fruit that can be harvested through April.
Going to grow the Environment
For strawberries to blossom and produce fruit, they need temperatures ranging from 50 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 14 hours of sunshine each day while growing. These weather patterns may be expected from Strawberry plants in Florida throughout the autumn, winter, and spring seasons. The fruit setting will not be consistent but will occur in two or three cycles, and frost may cause these cycles to be disrupted.
Arial structure
Strawberries need a spot that gets at least 8 hours of direct sunshine daily and should be grown in full sun. Strawberries may be planted in rows on raised beds or in planter boxes, pots, or other containers. Be sure that the area you choose to plant in has enough drainage.
Before you begin planting, incorporate into the soil two pounds of fertilizer composed of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium for every ten feet of soil. Many farmers put strawberry plants on raised beds covered in black plastic mulch to prevent weeds and keep the dirt away from the berries. Insert the transplants into the ground via the holes in the mulch. Make sure the crowns of the transplants are not covered in any way.
How to take care
A fertilizer with an excellent overall balance will benefit strawberry plants. Any typical fertilizer that is used in vegetable beds will do the work. It is to have something that has a decent amount of nitrogen and potassium, including a greater quantity of phosphorous than either of those elements. In my view, something like a 3-4-2 would be fantastic.
The N-P-K value, also known as the nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (k) content of the fertilizer mix, is denoted by the three digits in the N-P-K value. Your plant will benefit in a variety of ways from each nutrient.
Nitrogen encourages your plant to produce new growth that is green and leafy. Your plant will produce more blooms and fruit with sufficient amounts of phosphorous, and adding potassium will improve its overall health.
Alkalinity causes most plant starvation. Regular feeding plants, trees, bushes, and sod helps them remain healthy to growing strawberries in Florida. South Florida’s drainage, particularly in the Keys, is not ideal for pest-, disease-, and fungus-free habitats. Hard soils and standing water cause root infections. Spraying fungicides kills these infections.
According to research on fertilizer nutrients, most cases of plant malnutrition are related to alkalinity. Consistently providing nutrients to your plants, trees, bushes, and sod will keep them healthy and disease-free. Absolutely, without a doubt, you
Controlling Pests, Diseases, and Molds: South Florida’s drainage, particularly in the Keys, is not ideal for maintaining a pest-, disease-, and mold-free Environment. Root infections are common because water pools remain stagnant in the hard soil. Fungicide spraying is the recommended method for eradicating these illnesses.
As the name implies, a topical insecticide is sprayed directly onto the plants to kill any insects that come into contact with it. The systemic method involves soaking the plant and its roots in a toxic solution, killing any insects that try to consume the plant. The plant’s coloration will be maintained in this way. The most excellent method for preventing pests and diseases is the monthly application of fungicide in conjunction with foliar feeding. A TWAG (treat as we go) program for problems (a reactive strategy) and a quarterly (at most) granular fertilizer feeding get the least amount of care.
When to harvest?
These weather patterns may be expected in growing strawberries in Florida throughout the autumn, winter, and spring seasons. The planting season for strawberries in Florida runs from September to the beginning of November, and both blooming and fruit production continue until April or May. The fruit setting will not be consistent but will occur in two or three cycles, and frost may cause these cycles to be disrupted.
Where to sell strawberries in Florida (if you are a full-time farmer)
The most effective way to sell berries is to include them in themed displays for holidays like New Year’s Eve and Valentine’s Day that feature strawberry, champagne, and chocolate. Customers demand transparency, and the farmers of Florida love to share their tales. Thus social media has become an absolute need for every company, particularly ours. In this setting, you may discuss your finished product and share your favorite recipes with others.
FAQ
How long does it take to grow strawberries in Florida?
About 90-110 days after planting, you should be able to harvest your first crop of berries. Consider netting your plants if you have problems with birds or rabbits eating the fruit. The berries are ready to be picked when at least three-quarters of their surface has turned red. Berry sweetness cannot be enhanced after picking.
Do strawberries come back every year?
The planting season for strawberries in Florida runs from September to the beginning of November, and both blooming and fruit production continues until April or May. The fruit setting will not be consistent but will occur in two or three cycles, and frost may cause these cycles to be disrupted.