Species of Strawberries

Everbearing

• Everbearing cultivars take their name from their multiple fruiting seasons; the plants produce fruit flushes in late spring, summer and fall. These plants maintain contained growth with few runners and don't need yearly renovation. They thrive in potted and container situations.

Day Neutral

• Day neutral cultivars are "improved" everbearing varieties and produce higher-quality fruit on a more consistent basis. They bloom and bear from spring into fall for a nearly continuous fruit harvest and produce few runners. The University of Illinois Extension recommends this variety for gardeners with limited space or container gardens.

June Bearing

• June bearing strawberries produce large, intense fruit crops in spring to early summer. The blooming and fruit production lasts for two to three weeks at this time. These plants expand with runners and require more space than the other two varieties. They fall into early, mid-season and late classifications depending on their exact fruiting time.

Growing Strawberries

• Different strawberry cultivars bear their fruit in different ways, but all strawberry plants require the right season, site and growing conditions to produce. Plant strawberries in late winter or early spring in sites with six to eight hours of full sun every day and quick year-round drainage. Give strawberries organic compost and 6-24-24 fertilizer at planting, with 2 inches of water every week and 12-12-12 fertilizer in mid-season.