Southern California is the biggest producer of strawberries in America. This means that it is crucial for the conditions to be just right when planting strawberries.
Are you wondering when to plant strawberries in Southern California? The best time to plant these amazing fruit in the Golden State is in Spring, during the months of March and April.
This is when the frost of winter has passed, but the air is still somewhat cold. The ice and the cold air can disrupt the bloom of the strawberries.
It is also because you will have strawberries ready for the warmer seasons – it is a summer berry after all.
However, despite this being the optimal time to grow strawberries in this part of the world, Southern California tends to have a 12-month season for growing strawberries. This is because winters are generally mild.
In this article, you will learn more about planting strawberries in Southern California and whether strawberries can actually grow during winter.
Table of Contents
When Is The Best Time To Plant Strawberries In Southern California?
You might have heard that some strawberries are grown during winter. This is absolutely true in Southern California. This is because the winter is mild, and several varieties can be planted in December.
Because Southern California is warmer than other areas, once the strawberries are planted in winter, they can bear fruit just a few weeks later. This is why finding locally grown Californian strawberries at the farmer’s market is never surprising.
Most home growers tend to plant their strawberries in spring. This is during March and April ready to eat deliciously tasting strawberries as summer approaches.
When Is The Strawberry Growing Season In Southern California?
When it comes to the growing season of strawberries, farmers have to consider how long the strawberries will take to grow until they need to harvest them. The length of time between planting to harvesting varies depending on the type of strawberry that they are.
Farmers tend to plant the strawberries as early as they can in winter. Within six weeks, they can have strawberries ready to harvest as early as winter or spring.
What Are The Different Types Of Strawberry Species?
There are a plethora of different types of strawberries that are grown in California. These include the beetroot, friend, Douglas, and the candlestick.
Douglas is a favorite of many. This variety of strawberries can also be planted in the winter as it is extra hardy. In Southern California, many farmers and individuals like to plant it yearly.
It produces a delicious, tasty, large strawberry that does not take long to grow. This makes it a wonderful type of strawberry to plant.
The one that is recommended for home growers is the sequoia strawberry. The seeds have been adapted specifically for gardens in California, making them ideal for those who are new to growing and harvesting strawberries.
Is It Okay To Plant Strawberries In The Winter?
While many people do not choose to grow strawberries in the winter due to the cold weather affecting growth, you can prepare them in winter so they are ready for spring.
This means you can prepare the plant in winter despite the conditions not being exactly ideal. For example, you can place strawberry pots in sunnier areas with some coverage. This means they do not feel the cold and frost as much as they could if they were in an open area.
For those with limited space, Mr. Stacky 5-Tier Strawberry Planter Pot system is a great and popular choice for growing your strawberries.
It allows buds and roots to grow ready for spring. When spring rolls around, the strawberry plant will be ready to start blooming. As the strawberry plants bloom, they will be ready to harvest in just a few weeks.
However, strawberries can be planted in Southern California from October to February without any issues. This is because the season is mild, and frost does not arrive. This makes it ideal conditions for planting strawberries.
*For detailed and tested fertilizer recommendations, please see our article Best Organic Fertilizers for Strawberries: Boost Your Crop Yield Naturally.
How Much Should You Water Strawberries In Southern California?
When the weather is considered to be at a normal temperature for the time of the year, strawberries in Southern California will need water that equals one to one and a half inches of ‘rainfall’ every week.
However, when the weather becomes particularly dry and hot, you will want to water the strawberries as and when it is needed to prevent the plant from becoming dry.
For this reason, you may need to water the strawberry plant every day, though do this earlier on during the day to make sure the foliage does not become wet overnight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Okay To Grow Strawberries During The Winter In Southern California?
It is absolutely okay to plant and grow strawberries during winter in Southern California. The temperature is mild, meaning strawberries can be planted without frost.
In fact, you will find that you can plant and harvest strawberries during winter, too, rather than just getting the plants prepared during winter and ready for a spring harvest.
When Is The Best Time To Plant Strawberries In Southern California?
Although most areas in America plant strawberries in spring, in Southern California, you can plant strawberries all year round. This is because the winters are mild, and there is little risk of frost.
Final Thoughts
In Southern California, the ideal time to plant and grow strawberries is all throughout the year. This is because the winter in this part of the country is often mild.
The growth of strawberries can suffer during winter when the risk of frost is high. However, this is not something to worry about in Southern California.
Strawberries can be grown and harvested just a few weeks later, even in December.
However, due to Southern California’s hot summers, you may want to figure out the best solution for watering the plants to ensure they do not dry up and die.
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