Look for an area in your yard that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. Strawberries will not grow in poorly drained soil. Select a well-drained high spot in the yard, build a raised bed or purchase containers. You must provide irrigation to a strawberry crop.
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What variety of strawberries grow best in Louisiana?
The Klondike, Daybreak, Headliner, and Tangi strawberries are all varieties that were traditionally cultivated in Louisiana. These varieties were developed throughout the 20th century, and each of them has now “run out” (i.e. become susceptible to disease). Their flavor is superior to varieties under cultivation today such as the Driscoll and Chandler, which were developed for size and shipping resistance. The heritage varieties, by contrast, have a higher sugar content, a more balanced sugar / acid ratio, and a more delicate flavor. Cultivation is still possible, though yields are much lower. They are produced in Southern Louisiana, particularly in the southeastern parishes of Tangipahoa and Livingston. Many of the farmers in the area are descendants of Sicilian immigrants, and they have cultivated strawberries and other fruits for over a century. The Tangi strawberry is currently being cultivated by Henry Amato, a farmer in Tangipahoa Parish. Mr. Amato employs traditional methods and grows the berries on mulch beds of locally gathered pine needles as opposed to black plastic. Mr. Amato harvested his first crop in the summer of 2003, and the yield is 1/5 than the one achieved with commercial varieties. To his knowledge, Mr. Amato is the only farmer currently raising Louisiana heritage berry varieties, though the stock is available to anyone interested through the Louisiana State University agricultural extension as well as the US National Germplasm Repository in Oregon. Back to the archive >
What month do you plant strawberries in Louisiana?
In Louisiana, strawberries traditionally are planted from the beginning of October through mid-November. Production can start as early as late November when plug plants are used and it can continue through the beginning of June.
How long is strawberry season in Louisiana?
Strawberry Season – Before introducing you to the best strawberry farms in Louisiana, I wanted to give you a little insight into the strawberry picking season. 
The growing season can vary depending on the farm’s location within the state. This means that just because strawberries are ready in Southern Louisiana, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the strawberries in Northern Louisiana will be. The harvesting season ranges from mid-March to late May; however, many farms will be harvesting until Labor Day as long as it doesn’t get too cold.
Is Louisiana known for strawberries?
HISTORY Strawberries have a history that goes back 2,200 years and can be traced back as far as the Romans—possibly even the Greeks. Strawberries grew wild in Italy as long ago as 234 B.C., although the fruit was not discovered in America until 1588, when the first Europeans landed in Virginia.
- The early settlers enjoyed eating strawberries grown by Native Americans, who cultivated strawberries around 1643.
- By 1860, strawberries were being widely grown in many parts of America.
- Strawberries got their name when children threaded them into straw and offered them for sale.
- Commercial strawberry production first began in Louisiana in 1876.
Louisiana consistently ranks in the Top 10 in U.S. strawberry production. PRODUCTION Strawberries are a member of the rose family and are produced as annuals. They usually are planted near good water sources both to enhance irrigation and for frost control.
Land preparation begins in June with producers liming the soil and planting cover crops. Few plants are produced in Louisiana. Most growers buy their plants from commercial growers around the country. These plants are planted by hand starting in October through early November. Plants are irrigated daily for the first 7-10 days to ensure establishment.
After a strawberry plant blooms, it takes about 1 month to produce a ripe strawberry. In most years, harvest begins in February and continues until May. Strawberry plants are unique; during the harvest season, the plants continue to produce fruit. Because the plants keep producing, they may be picked 2-3 times per week.
VARIETIES Strawberry varieties that historically have produced well in Louisiana are classified as short-day varieties. For these varieties, flowers are initiated during short days and cool temperatures in the fall and winter months, and fruit appears in the late winter and early spring in Louisiana when conditions are favorable for good-quality fruit production.
Varieties that performed well in LSU AgCenter trials in 2010-2013 included: Festival, Benicia and Sweet Ann. Other varieties that tend to perform well in the state include: Camarosa, Camino Real and Chandler. Choose Festival for a medium-sized berry and excellent production.
- Benicia produces slightly softer, but larger berries than Festival.
- Combining Benicia and Festival plants would provide excellent production throughout the season in the home garden.
- Sweet Ann strawberries actually are a day-neutral plant.
- Sweet Ann berries have long, large fruit and are not as disease resistant as Festival and Benicia.
Sweet Ann produces an excellently flavored berry, but it does not ripen all the way up to the shoulder. Both the interior and the exterior of the fruit along the shoulder tend to remain white, even when the fruit is fully ripe. Because of the lack of red color when ripening, commercial production of Sweet Ann is not recommended.
What kind of berries grow in Louisiana?
Blackberries and dewberries are native to Louisiana, and many commercial varieties are well adapted to growing conditions of the state. They can be profitable commercial fruit crops. Blackberries also can be grown in the home garden with few or no pesticides.
Is Louisiana known for strawberries?
HISTORY Strawberries have a history that goes back 2,200 years and can be traced back as far as the Romans—possibly even the Greeks. Strawberries grew wild in Italy as long ago as 234 B.C., although the fruit was not discovered in America until 1588, when the first Europeans landed in Virginia.
- The early settlers enjoyed eating strawberries grown by Native Americans, who cultivated strawberries around 1643.
- By 1860, strawberries were being widely grown in many parts of America.
- Strawberries got their name when children threaded them into straw and offered them for sale.
- Commercial strawberry production first began in Louisiana in 1876.
Louisiana consistently ranks in the Top 10 in U.S. strawberry production. PRODUCTION Strawberries are a member of the rose family and are produced as annuals. They usually are planted near good water sources both to enhance irrigation and for frost control.
Land preparation begins in June with producers liming the soil and planting cover crops. Few plants are produced in Louisiana. Most growers buy their plants from commercial growers around the country. These plants are planted by hand starting in October through early November. Plants are irrigated daily for the first 7-10 days to ensure establishment.
After a strawberry plant blooms, it takes about 1 month to produce a ripe strawberry. In most years, harvest begins in February and continues until May. Strawberry plants are unique; during the harvest season, the plants continue to produce fruit. Because the plants keep producing, they may be picked 2-3 times per week.
VARIETIES Strawberry varieties that historically have produced well in Louisiana are classified as short-day varieties. For these varieties, flowers are initiated during short days and cool temperatures in the fall and winter months, and fruit appears in the late winter and early spring in Louisiana when conditions are favorable for good-quality fruit production.
Varieties that performed well in LSU AgCenter trials in 2010-2013 included: Festival, Benicia and Sweet Ann. Other varieties that tend to perform well in the state include: Camarosa, Camino Real and Chandler. Choose Festival for a medium-sized berry and excellent production.
Benicia produces slightly softer, but larger berries than Festival. Combining Benicia and Festival plants would provide excellent production throughout the season in the home garden. Sweet Ann strawberries actually are a day-neutral plant. Sweet Ann berries have long, large fruit and are not as disease resistant as Festival and Benicia.
Sweet Ann produces an excellently flavored berry, but it does not ripen all the way up to the shoulder. Both the interior and the exterior of the fruit along the shoulder tend to remain white, even when the fruit is fully ripe. Because of the lack of red color when ripening, commercial production of Sweet Ann is not recommended.
What strawberries grow best in the desert?
How to Grow Strawberries in Arizona: – It is difficult but not impossible to grow strawberries in Arizona. If you decide to grow strawberries in the low desert of Arizona, here are a few additional tips to keep in mind:
You may need to plant new plants each year. Arizona summers are very hard on strawberry plants and they often die. Strawberries in Arizona need afternoon shade, Water strawberries every day in the summer. Mulch strawberries well. Strawberries are salt-sensitive, making them difficult to grow in Arizona’s salty soil. Regular deep watering can help wash salts from the soil. Plant strawberries in the low desert of Arizona from mid- September through January, Planting strawberries by November 15th allows plants to become more established by spring. Varieties to try in the low desert of Arizona: Eversweet (continuous harvests of large, sweet strawberries throughout spring and fall); Chandler (early to mid-June bearing); Quinault ; Sequoia ( June-bearing plant, commonly grown in Arizona); Tristar (heavy crop in early spring, slow production in hot summer weather, and large berries in the fall). Plant asparagus and sunflowers as companion plants to shade strawberries during the summer.
Strawberries grown in my Mesa, Arizona garden