Strawberry

If you're short on space, try your hand at creating a patio or container garden. Containers fit well on an apartment patio or balcony, as well as in larger landscapes. The key to being successful involves using large containers, a good growing media, and selecting vegetables and flowering plants sized right for growing in containers.

Container gardens are also a good alternative to help solve the following problems.

Strawberries are a popular, dependable fruit for home production. Three types of strawberries are grown in Nebraska: June bearing, everbearing and day neutral strawberries. 

Strawberry plantings must be mulched for winter protection to produce consistently in Nebraska. Mulching reduces winter damage to the strawberry crown and flower buds. Most unprotected strawberry cultivars are injured at 15°F, reducing flower production next year. Improved fruit quality, plant vigor, soil moisture conservation, and weed control are all benefits from mulching that continues through next summer.

Even though this year’s flooding occurred in March before most garden crops were in the ground, there is still cause for concern when considering harvesting perennial crops and planning this year’s garden. Flood waters many be contaminated by any combination of sewage, river or creek water, farm run-off or industrial pollutants. Bacteria, parasites, viruses and chemical contaminants in the soil are concerns for this summer’s vegetable crops and food safety for your family

Strawberry plantings can produce for several years, but yields decrease with each year of harvest. Diseases, weeds and weak plants limit the life span of a single planting, so do not expect a bed to maintain its quality for more than three fruiting seasons. By following the recommended renovation or renewal procedures, you can maximize the life and productivity of your planting.