|
SOIL TESTING AND PLANTING:
It is best to test the soil four to six months before planting. If the pH is too low, raise it to the level suggested by the soil test
with dolomitic lime. Strawberries require a soil pH in the range of 5.5 to 6.5. The soil should be worked into a fine mellow
condition for planting. Wait one year before planting strawberries in ground in which grass sod has been grown.
Set dormant-stored plants in March in eastern N.C. and during March or April in the piedmont and western N.C.
Straw-berries are best planted in the matted row system. For a matted row bed, set the plants 1 1/2 to 2 feet apart in the row.
Space the rows 3 1/2 to 4 feet apart. A matted row is encouraged to develop from the runner plants that grow from the mother
plant. Set plants with the with the root straight down (never bent) and with the crown even with the top of the ground. Soon
after planting blossoms will emerge that should be pinched to encourage early runnering from the mother plant.
Table 1. STRAWBERRY VARIETIES SUGGESTED FOR HOME GARDENS IN
N.C.
AREA FRUIT FRESH PROCESS
VARIETY ADAPTED* SEASON SIZE QUALITY QUALITY
Apollo all mid-late Lg good good
PLANT MAKING ABILITY: low-mod
SPACING MATTING ROW (ft): 1-1/2
Atlas CP,P early-mid Lg fair fair
PLANT MAKING ABILITY: high
SPACING MATTING ROW (ft): 2
Cardinal all midseason Med good v. good
PLANT MAKING ABILITY: v. high
SPACING MATTING ROW (ft): 2
Earlibelle CP,P v. early Sm good v. good
PLANT MAKING ABILITY: v. high
SPACING MATTING ROW (ft): 2 1/2
Earliglow WNC,P v. early Sm excel excel
PLANT MAKING ABILITY: mod-high
SPACING MATTING ROW (ft): 2
Prelude P,CP v. early Lg excel good
PLANT MAKING ABILITY: mod
SPACING MATTING ROW (ft): 1-1/2
Sunrise all early Sm fair fair
PLANT MAKING ABILITY: v. high
SPACING MATTING ROW (ft): 2-1/2
Tenn.
Beauty WNC late Sm fair fair
PLANT MAKING ABILITY: mod
SPACING MATTING ROW (ft): 2
Titan CP,P early-mid Lg excel v. good
PLANT MAKING ABILITY: low-mod
SPACING MATTING ROW (ft): 1-1/2
*Adapted area designations: CP=coastal plain; P=piedmont;
WNC=western N.C.; all=adapted to all areas.
|
