When you understand how to cope with growing strawberries in Florida, you can grow a very successful harvest.
While growing strawberries can be quite a long process, the outcome is worth it, and when you have your own juicy fruits, you’ll be glad you put the work in!
To grow strawberries in the Sunshine State, you must choose a sunny spot and ensure that the plants are put in well-draining soil.
This article will give you a complete rundown on how to grow strawberries in Florida. Read on to learn all about when to plant and how to grow strawberry plants in the state for a successful crop! Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
How To Grow And When To Plant Strawberries In Florida?
The best time to grow strawberries in Florida is in the early fall. The ideal planting time is slightly different depending on where you are in the state.
In North Florida and Central Florida, it is better to plant your strawberries in September or October. In South Florida, you should plant your strawberries Between October and December.
The best way to plant your strawberries in Florida is to buy transplants from a nursery and plant them in the ground. As Florida is such a warm state, the rules for planting are very different to elsewhere in the country.
The best climate to grow strawberries is between 50 degrees Fahrenheit and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
How To Grow Strawberries In Florida?
In Florida, you can grow strawberries all year round. It is a fairly simple thing to do, so let’s take a look at how to grow strawberries in the Sunshine State:
Choose Your Location
The first thing you need to do when growing strawberries in Florida is choose the best location to plant the strawberry plant.
Strawberries need a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight every day if you want them to produce plenty of fruit. When you choose your spot, ensure that you plant the strawberries in full sunlight in an area without shade.
Choose Your Soil
You need to ensure that the soil in which you are planting the strawberries is suitable. Strawberries like well-drained soil; their roots will rot if they sit in water for too long.
They also thrive in soil that contains plenty of nutrients. For this reason, adding some manure or fertilizer to your soil will help your strawberry plants flourish and grow healthy and juicy strawberries!
Choose A Time To Plant The Strawberries
Before you plant your strawberry plants, you must choose the best time to plant the strawberries. The best time to plant strawberries in Florida is in September or October.
In the South of the state, you can plant strawberries as late as December for them to do well.
When you plant your strawberries, make sure that you space them out with 18 inches between each plant! This allows them space to spread out and grow freely.
Water Your Strawberries
You should water your strawberries regularly, especially in Florida. Ensure that you give them a little extra water if you are experiencing a dry spell!
You must ensure that you give your strawberries at least 1 inch of water every week. If you keep the soil moist, then this will prevent weed growth surrounding the strawberries, which can hinder their growth.
Fertilize Your Strawberry Plants
About once a month, it is a good idea to fertilize your strawberry plants. Use a balanced fertilizer to do this; you will get great strawberries on your plant! This will give your strawberry plants more of a chance to remain healthy.
How To Fertilize Strawberries
Strawberry plants always benefit from adding fertilizer to the plant. Any common fertilizer will work, as long as it contains nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus.
A highly recommended fertilizer is Espoma Organic Berry-Tone Natural & Organic Fertilizer and Plant Food, which will promote healthy and productive strawberries.
*For our detailed and tested fertilizer recommendations, please see the article Best Organic Fertilizers for Strawberries: Boost Your Crop Yield Naturally.
The nitrogen in the fertilizer ensures that your plant has new, leafy growth, while the phosphorus means that your strawberry plant will grow more flowers and fruit. Potassium will boost your plant’s general health.
When Do You Harvest Your Strawberries In Florida?
In Florida, strawberry plants take 90-110 days to grow and produce fruit ready to be picked. Usually, the fruit will be ready for harvest in February and March. This is why the Florida State Strawberry Festival occurs at this time.
When you are harvesting your strawberries, you should pick the berry just before it turns completely red. When the fruit is around ¾ ripe, this is the best time to pick the berry.
If you wait until the berry is completely ripe, it will go bad quickly. You should ensure that you check on your plants every day when the harvest comes.
The berries will only be stored in the fridge for a few days after picking them, so you should make sure to use them immediately! If you need to store them for longer, you should freeze them to be used later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Easy To Grow Strawberries In Florida?
Strawberries are very easy to grow in Florida. You will have a much better chance of growing them well if you plant them at a good time and give them the care and attention they need.
What Pests Should You Look Out For?
When growing strawberries, the most common pest you must deal with is birds. They may steal your fruit or damage it. To protect your strawberries from birds, you should add some simple netting.
Spider mites and caterpillars may also affect your strawberry plants. A diverse garden will help to protect your plants from a bug attack.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it! If you are looking at how to grow strawberries in Florida, you’ve come to the right place!
We’ve compiled all of the information you need to grow a successful strawberry crop in the Sunshine State. Get started now that you have all of this information!
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