Growing Strawberries in Southeast Idaho

Spring Frosts

• Southeastern Idaho ranges from USDA zones 4 to 6, depending on the elevation. Strawberry plants leaf out and flower early in the spring and are often damaged by late frosts in such cold climates. Keep plants covered with sheets or tarps when frosty weather is forecast. Cold air sinks and collects in low-lying areas on frosty nights, so be sure to plant strawberries on a slope. It may be beneficial to plant strawberries on a north-facing slope to keep them in winter dormancy until the danger of frost has passed.

Irrigation

• Strawberries need ample irrigation in the arid climate of southeastern Idaho, although the dry air helps to reduce many fungal diseases. They are shallow-rooted plants and need to be watered at least twice per week, although they may dry out daily during the heat waves of summer. Mulching the plants with straw helps to conserve soil moisture and prevents the berries from rotting due to contact with moist soil.

Soils

• The alkaline soils common in many areas of southeastern Idaho need to be amended for strawberries plants to grow and fruit. Strawberries prefer soil with a pH value between 5.5 and 6.5. In alkaline soils, incorporate two pounds of sulfur to lower the pH by one point for every 100 square feet of growing area. Iron deficiency can also be a problem for strawberries in the desert soils of the region. Yellow leaves showing green veins are the classic sign of this deficiency, which can be remedied with applications of iron chelate.

Varieties

• There are three general types of strawberries that have different responses to day length and temperature. "June-bearing" strawberries may tolerate the heat southeast Idaho's high plains, but are susceptible to late frosts, so plant only in protected locations. "Allstar" and "Surecrop" are two popular varieties in this category. "Day-neutral" varieties do not fruit well in hot summer areas, but are a good choice for the mountain elevations of the region. "Tribute," "Tristar" and "Fern" are options for day-neutral strawberries. Of the three, "ever-bearing" varieties are best adapted to the late spring frosts of southeastern Idaho. "Fort Laramie," "Quinalt," "Ozark Beauty" and "Gem Everbearing" are some of the commonly available choices in this category.