Growing Strawberries in Texas

Grow Texas Strawberries as an Annual in Special Pots or Raised Beds

It takes extra care to grow strawberries in Texas though many people believe the result is worth the effort. Select June-bearing varieties and plant them annually.

Texas strawberries grow well in raised beds and are attractive container plants even when they are not producing fruit. Although strawberries are perennial plants in the Northern United States, they are usually treated as annuals in Texas since they do not do well in the sustained summer heat.

How to Plant Strawberries

Plant annual strawberries in South Texas from late September to the first week of October and in late winter or early spring in North and West Texas. Strawberries may be planted in containers or raised beds. They need sunlight and well-drained soil with lots of nutrient material.

Strawberry plants prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.0. Chandler, Sequoia, and Douglas are varieties recommended for Texas gardens by Dr. Larry Stein, professor and horticulturist at Texas A&M University writing for Texas Gardener. These June-bearing strawberries are preferred over ever-bearing or day-neutral varieties.

Clear the site of any plant material before preparing your strawberry bed. It is best to select a site that does not have a heavy infestation of perennial weeds since they are difficult to remove completely. Because of possible root diseases that remain in the soil from tomatoes, peppers, and previous strawberry plantings, it is better to plant in areas where these crops have not been grown for three years.

Till or spade the top two inches of soil to break up clots and work in compost raising the bed about four inches at least ten days before planting strawberries. Add sulfur to reduce pH unless recent soil tests show the garden’s pH to be near 6.0. Set plants 18 inches apart so the crown of the plant is even with the soil surface. Water the plants well and add a starter fertilizer solution.

Many Texas home gardeners prefer to use containers to grow strawberries because it is easier to control pH, soil composition, and moisture in a container. Strawberries grown in containers need more frequent watering than those growing in raised beds.

Grow Strawberry Plants Using Natural Fertilizer and Pest Control

Fresh organic strawberries from the home garden are far superior to the bloated supermarket variety with little fragrance and a white core. Strawberry plants take little care once established and can produce baskets of berries for years.

Before an organic gardener shops for strawberry plants, he must consider disease resistance, growing region, and whether to purchase June-bearing or ever-bearing strawberry plants. Gardeners in hot, humid regions can grow ‘Titan,’ which resists leaf scorch. ‘Earliglow’ is an excellent choice for gardeners in the Midwest and Atlantic regions, as it is not only cold hardy, but resists gray mold, verticilium wilt, red stele disease, leaf spot, and leaf scorch. Gardeners seeking ever-bearing strawberries can plant ‘Hecker’ in the north or ‘Tristar’ in the south.

Prepare the Garden to Plant Strawberries

Strawberry plants thrive in well-drained soil with a pH between 5.0 and 6.0. If the soil pH is above 6.0, acidify it naturally with compost and leaf mold. If the soil is below 5.0, add limestone to raise the pH. Choose an area of the garden with full sun and good air circulation to reduce disease problems.

Plant strawberries in the spring as soon as the earth can be worked, setting plants 18 inches apart in rows spaced at least two feet apart. Wide rows allow strawberry plants room to develop new runners.

After planting strawberries, add a layer of organic mulch to retain moisture and to keep soil from splashing on ripening berries. Many organic gardeners prefer to mulch strawberry beds with straw, but dried grass clippings or pine needles are also suitable choices.

The fertilizing regimen for strawberries centers on whether the plants are June-bearing or ever-bearing. Ever-bearing strawberries need a constant supply of nutrients to produce flowers and grow berries, but June berries only form new buds for the following year in late summer. Therefore, feed ever-bearing strawberries throughout the growing season, but fertilize June-bearing strawberries in August. Gardeners can fertilize plants with a side dressing of dried blood meal, rock potash, and bone meal.

At the end of the season, the strawberry plants will send out new plantlets on runners. In this way, the strawberry patch is self-perpetuating. Remove nonproductive plants at the end of each growing season, and allow the runners to replenish the garden.

Organic Strawberry Pest Control

Slugs, aphids, spider mites, and birds like to feed on strawberry plants. Place beer traps around plants or sprinkle diatomaceous earth to kill slugs. Attract beneficial insects that have an appetite for aphids with nectar-rich flowers, like sweet alyssum. Spider mites are most problematic in hot, dusty regions, so regular irrigation discourages them. Use bird netting draped over jar-topped stakes to deny birds the first berry harvest.

Using Strawberries

Strawberry shortcakes and sliced fresh strawberries on or in homemade ice cream are standard summer picnic treats. However, there are many less traditional ways to use strawberries. Sliced strawberries and toasted pecans turn a spinach salad into a delicious and attractive offering for any meal.

Fresh strawberries dipped in melted chocolate are a wonderful dessert without too many calories. Strawberries mixed with peppers, onions, and cilantro is a unique, slightly sweet salsa that complements chicken and pork. Do not miss the refreshing taste of a strawberry smoothie made with a bit of honey and protein powder.

Since the June-bearing strawberry plants produce product over just a couple weeks, process any leftovers into jam or freeze individual berries and then store them in plastic bags.

Even though challenging to grow and not always productive, give strawberries a try in a Texas garden. When successful, fresh-picked strawberries are a treat that makes summer meals special.

Final Word

Growing strawberries in Texas is a great way to enjoy sweet, delicious fruits that are sure to be the highlight of your garden. With the right preparation, knowledge, and care, you can have these succulent treats in no time. From selecting the best varieties for your growing conditions to taking steps to prevent diseases and pests, you can create a thriving strawberry patch with ease. Not only will it give you an abundance of fruit throughout the season, but it will also provide you with a sense of accomplishment.