Care for Strawberry Plants
Many of us look forward to the time when we can grow our own fruit. If sufficient space is
available and we are willing to give the trees and bushes the proper care, this is practical. But all too often
they are not given the necessary pest control care and the fruit produced is diseased or wormy. However, by growing
our own it is possible to enjoy varieties which are of better quality than many that are grown commercially and
none can compare in flavor with tree-ripened fruit. Peaches are desirable because we may plant varieties not grown
commercially, especially the white-fleshed kinds. White varieties, in order of season of ripening, are
Erly-Red-Fre, Cumberland, and Belle of Georgia. Yellows are Jersey-land, Redhaven, Golden Jubilee, Trio-gem,
Fairhaven, Sunhigh, Halehaven, Redskin, After Glow, Lizzie. Plums (tree-ripened fruit) are difficult to buy at
stores. Those that will set fruit with their own pollen are Stanley, Shropshire damson, French damson. Those that
must be pollinated by another variety are Bradshaw, Imperial Epin-euse, Italian prune and Reine Claude. The
Japanese varieties are more difficult to grow in many localities.
Strawberries are probably the most practical fruit for home gardens. Care for strawberry plants as with all
fruit, a sunny location is needed. And it must be very well drained. Since a bed goes down in yield after a couple
of years, a new one should be started from runners the second season. June bearing varieties will yield better than
ever-bearers, and many of them have better quality. The better June varieties are Armore, Fairland, Sparkle,
Plentiful, Pocahontas, Catskill, and Vermilion. For ever bearers try Brilliant, Gem and Super-fection.
Sour cherries are easy to grow but sweet cherries need another tree to pollinate them. And with all cherries
the birds are a problem if you have only a tree or two.
Apples and pears become large trees unless dwarfs are planted. Contrary to many advertisements, only apples and
pears are available as satisfactory dwarf trees. Fireblight disease is a problem that as yet is difficult to
control, particularly in pears. Better check with your agricultural experiment station to find out what varieties,
if any, are practical for your locality—and for the space you wish to give them.
Blueberries are worth trying if your soil is acid or if you can keep it acidified. The plants are decorative as
shrubs and have lovely fall color. But the catalogs fail to say that every bird in the locality will stop by to eat
the blueberries unless
Proper care for strawberry plants, the rows should be closely spaced in this bed, about twelve inches apart.
Runners will be cut off. Set strawberry plants with the crown at soil level, remove the first blossoms. Blossom
clusters are removed the first spring so that all the strength goes toward developing strong strawberry plants
which will bear heavily in the following spring which will be the first harvest. By keeping the strawberry bed
mulched with straw, salt hay, or similar material, weeds are kept down, soil moisture is retained, and the fruit
is clean
Care for strawberry plants
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