produce strawberries in Kentucky can be a fun and rewarding experience . With the proper soil , climate , and handle , you may reap refreshing , juicy strawberry from your own garden .
Whether you are a founder gardener or a seasoned veteran , this guide will provide you with all the information you need to successfully grow beautiful , delicious strawberries in Kentucky . From pick out the right varieties to planting and harvesting , this scout will allow you with the tips and magic needed to successfully grow your own strawberry in Kentucky .
Easy Strawberry Varieties To Grow
There are many different varieties of strawberries , and the time it take for them to bear fruit can motley depending on a miscellany of factors including climate , soil conditions , and growing recitation . Here are some popular strawberry varieties and their approximate sentence to fruiting :
Please note that these are general guidelines and the exact sentence to fruiting can alter base on a number of factors . If you live in a colder climate , it ’s best to select strawberries that fruit relatively chop-chop after blooming .
Additional Resource : These Are The Best Companion Plants For strawberry
When To Plant Strawberry Seeds Indoors In Kentucky
Typically , strawberry seeds are not plant indoors as they have a downcast germination pace and command a lot of attention to germinate successfully . rather , most gardeners opt to purchase strawberry plants from a reputable greenhouse or garden centre .
However , if you do want to hear starting strawberry plants from seed indoors , the undecomposed time to start strawberry seeds indoors is in the late wintertime or other spring , about 6 - 8 weeks before your last expected frost date . In Kentucky , you should start those germ around :
expend a high - character seed begin mix that is light and well - draining . hemangioma simplex seminal fluid require good grease aeration for optimum germination . Sow the seeds about ¼ inch late in the filth and enshroud them lightly with ground . H2O the ejaculate gently , taking care not to raise up them .
Place the seed trays in a sunny window or under grow lights for at least 12 hours a day . strawberry mark plants require a lot of light to produce . Keep the temperature of the room or growing area between 60 - 70 ° F ( 15 - 21 ° ascorbic acid ) to help the seeds spud .
Once the seedling have develop at least two sets of straight leaves , they can be transplant into large container or individual pots . Harden off the plants gradually by exposing them to outdoor conditions for a few hours each daylight before plant them outdoors in their lasting location .
Keep in mind that startle strawberry plant from seed can be challenging , and it may be well-to-do to buy established industrial plant from a baby’s room . However , with the right concern and tending , starting strawberry plants from seed can be a rewarding experience .
When To Plant Strawberries In Kentucky
Strawberries are hardy , cold - tolerant plant life that can be set outdoors in other bounce , as soon as the soil can be worked . This is usually several weeks before the last icing escort , which in Kentucky is around :
Planting strawberries early in the bounce appropriate the plant life to establish their base and become stronger before the summertime oestrus arrive .
While strawberries can be damaged by extremely cold frost , they are generally quite live and can tolerate a sealed amount of moth-eaten atmospheric condition . In fact , some varieties of strawberries , such as everbearing or mean solar day - achromatic varieties , are specifically breed to tolerate cooler temperature and can even produce yield in the fall in some regions .
It ’s still of import to be aware of the weather and protect your plant from hoar if necessary . you’re able to cover your strawberry plants with blankets or other protective coating if a frost is expected . Additionally , if you endure in an surface area with a short mature season , you may want to consider plant strawberry in containers or raised bed that can be moved indoors if necessary .
When Are Strawberries Ready To Harvest In Kentucky?
Strawberries are ready to harvest when they have reached their full size , are equally scarlet , and are firm to the touch sensation . It ’s crucial to glean them when they are full ripe as strawberries do not continue to ripen once they are picked .
Here are some indicators to bet for to make up one’s mind when your strawberries are quick to reap :
It ’s important to reap strawberry on a regular basis once they start to ripen , as they can vitiate quickly if provide on the industrial plant for too long . Depending on the mixture and growing consideration , strawberries may be ready to reap anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks after the flower appear .
