Do Tristar Strawberries Grow Well in North Carolina?

Types

• Most of North Carolina's commercial strawberries are short-day varieties, also called June-bearing strawberries. They initiate flower buds within their crowns when days grow short in fall. In spring, flowers emerge and ripen into fruit. In North Carolina, this happens in April and May. "Tristar" is a day-neutral variety and thus is not affected by day length. Hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 8, it should initiate flower buds and fruit from spring through fall. However, high temperatures inhibit day-neutral strawberries. They do best at higher elevations and in USDA zone 6a and cooler. In North Carolina, this restricts where "Tristar" thrives.

Climate

• North Carolina's climate changes dramatically as elevations rise from the coastal plains through the Piedmont plateau to Blue Ridge Mountain heights. In eastern and central North Carolina, USDA zones 8 and 7, the lower elevations and warmer temperatures restrict "Tristar" from fruiting in summer, cause fruit to be small and reduce spring and fall productivity. Because day-neutral plants initiate flower buds continually until hard winter temperatures hit, "Tristar" never enters intense dormancy in these warmer zones. As a result, it's more susceptible to winter damage and loss at these higher temperatures. In the mountainous western part of the state, "Tristar" can do well.

Culture

• Even in North Carolina's diverse conditions, some general guidelines apply. Strawberries require full sun and well-draining soils with an optimal pH of 5.5 to 6.0. Plant strawberries from November through March in the east and during March or April in the Piedmont or the west. "Tristar" and other day-neutrals do best when planted in individual hills rather than in matted rows. Strawberries' shallow roots can't tolerate drought; keep their soil consistently moist. Supplement precipitation with thorough weekly watering -- enough to reach 6 to 8 inches deep -- when necessary. Check with your county extension office for additional planting and cultural guidelines for strawberry varieties in your region of the state.

Alternatives

• Three June-bearing cultivars dominate North Carolina's commercial crops. "Camarosa" (Fragaria ananassa "Camarosa") does well in eastern North Carolina. "Chandler" (Fragaria ananassa "Chandler") performs reliably in the upper Piedmont and western parts of the state. "Sweet Charlie" (Fragaria ananassa "Sweet Charlie") ripens very early in the season. All are well adapted for USDA zones 5 through 8. In 2008, North Carolina State University embarked on a mission to breed a North Carolina strawberry with superior quality and a longer season. The university hired a full-time strawberry breeder to head the North Carolina Strawberry Project. A strawberry specifically suited to the state's climate may one day result from these efforts.