What types of strawberries are best suited for a full sun location?
Question:
I’m planning on doing a mini strawberry garden in one of my old raised beds and I just had a few questions and was wondering if you had any general advice about growing, maintaining, etc.
- What type of strawberry is best suited for Maine in full sun?
- Is it better to start a garden from already started plants or seeds started inside?
Answer:
Yes, it’s better to grow strawberries from healthy dormant plants rather than seeds. As far as a variety goes, much depends on whether you want berries for fresh eating, freezing and preserving, or early season, mid season or late season. There are also everbearing (or day-neutral) varieties. We suggest that home gardeners look for disease-resistant varieties. This fact sheet has more detail: Strawberry Varieties for Maine.
This fact sheet (with videos) Growing Strawberries outlines: Selecting a Planting Site, Preparing the Soil, Suggested Varieties, Planting and First Season Care, Mulching, Renewing the Planting and Disease and Insect Control.
It’s probably a bit late to order the variety you want online, but sometimes you can get good plants at your local nursery or garden center. (They’re more likely to carry a hardy variety for your area than a “big box” store.)