Grow Strawberries In Florida
The desert of the southwest u s a.
Grow strawberries in florida. The strawberry plant is a low maintenance berry producing plant for home gardens that grows well in the florida climate. Plant strawberry plants in full sun well draining soil and at least 10 18 of space between plants. Flower and berry production requires a temperature between 50 and 80 degrees f and 14 hours of light each day. The major areas that fall within hardiness zone 9 are coastal and central california much of florida and the southern coast of texas.
Strawberries in florida are planted in september to early november and flowering and fruit continue through april or may. Strawberry plants are prone to heat intolerance they just don t handle the stifling 90 degree days that we have during that time very well. Hillsborough county is recognized as the winter strawberry capital of the world and the home of some of the sweetest reddest and juiciest strawberries around. Is also zone 9 but strawberries are more difficult to grow there particularly in nevada.
Growing strawberries requires temperatures between 50 f 80 f and less than 14 hours of daylight for the strawberries to flower and produce fruit. The berries will be ready to harvest in 90 to 110 days after planting them in your garden. The best varieties of strawberries to grow in florida are camarosa chandler festival oso grande and selva. Transplant the strawberries you picked up from a garden center from october to december.
As you know temperatures during the spring and summer in florida are really warm. On february 11 1982 the florida strawberry growers association fsga was born. Florida friendly cultivars include sweet charlie camarosa chandler oso grande selva and festival. While there are many cultivars on the market not all are suited for growing in florida.
They wilt from the water evaporation out of the soil and the leaves burn from the sun. Strawberries are normally grown as annuals here in florida because they usually decline once temperatures heat up in the summer. When to plant strawberries in south florida. Since strawberries can t survive the summer heat in fort lauderdale we have to grow them as annuals rather than perennials.
Florida strawberries grow in the winter. Growing strawberries in zone nine is do able. In florida these conditions occur throughout the fall winter and spring. Florida strawberries are grown as an annual crop and harvested in late fall winter and early spring.
Plant strawberries in florida during the fall months late september through october. Click thumbnail to enlarge temperatures between 50 f and 80 f 10 c and 27 c and day lengths 14 hours or less are required for the development of flowers and fruit on most strawberry varieties.