About the Adaptability of the Strawberry Plant

Climate

• How strawberry plants are grown varies according to the climate. Strawberries need six hours of full sun to thrive and produce sweet-tasting fruit. The plants must be started early in the spring in northern areas so they attain enough growth before the hot summer months, and are ready to go dormant in the winter. Good establishment ensures the plants' health during winter. The plants are usually protected by a light cover of mulch for the colder months. The plants generally survive three to five years.

Geography

• In the United States, these adaptable plants grow in zones 2 through 11, which encompasses virtually all of the country. Because they are so easy to cultivate, strawberries are a fruit grown worldwide. They are found from the equator to the far north and even thrive at altitudes up to 1,000 feet above sea level.

Container Gardening

• Strawberry plants can be grown in containers, and will even do well in a hanging basket or grown upside down. Because these plants adapt so well to containers, this method is often employed to avoid some of the drawbacks of traditional gardening, such as weeds and overgrowth from other plants in the garden. Growing strawberries in containers also makes them easier to care for. The containers should be filled with rich soil.

Soil and Site Selection

• Strawberry plants are capable of adapting to a variety of soils, however, the optimum is a sandy loam soil with good drainage. Because the roots are shallow, strawberries grow almost exclusively in the first foot of the soil in which they are planted. Create a raised bed by planting strawberries in a mound of soil, or use timber. This will help ensure adequate drainage for your plants.