Everbearing strawberries produce sweet berries over a long season. In Florida they are grown as cool-season plants, planted in fall for a winter and spring harvest. (Fragaria x ananassa)
Shop this plant: Everbearing Strawberry Plants Ready To Fruit 2 Units
Quick Care Summary
- Sun: Full sun, at least 6-8 hours during the cool season.
- Soil: Rich, loose, well-drained soil with plenty of compost, or a raised bed or container with quality potting mix.
- Watering: Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy; water at the base in the morning to keep leaves and fruit dry.
Sun
Full sun, at least 6-8 hours during the cool season.
Soil
Rich, loose, well-drained soil with plenty of compost, or a raised bed or container with quality potting mix. Slightly acidic (pH 5.5-6.5) is ideal.
Watering
Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy; water at the base in the morning to keep leaves and fruit dry. Mulch with pine straw to keep berries off the soil.
Fertilizer Schedule for South Florida
Mix slow-release fertilizer into the bed at planting, then feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during flowering and fruiting from November through April.
Pruning
Remove runners to put energy into fruit, and trim dead or diseased leaves regularly.
Cold Protection
Plants tolerate light frost, but open flowers and fruit are damaged near 30°F. Cover with frost cloth on cold nights.
Container vs. In-Ground
Excellent in containers, hanging baskets and raised beds; use a pot at least 8-10 inches wide per plant.
Spacing
Space plants 12 inches apart in rows or beds.
Flowering and Fruiting Timeline
Plant October-November; harvest December through April. Plants decline in summer heat and are usually replanted each fall.
Harvest
Pick when berries are fully red, every 2-3 days, in the cool morning. Refrigerate right away.
Common Pests and Diseases
Start with organic, low-impact fixes: good airflow, clean-up of fallen fruit and leaves, and soaps or oils before anything stronger. Always follow label directions.
Gray mold (botrytis)
How to identify: Fuzzy gray rot on berries in damp weather.
Organic-first treatment: Keep fruit off the soil with mulch, water at the base, and remove affected berries promptly.
Spider mites
How to identify: Fine stippling and bronzing on leaves, tiny webbing in dry weather.
Organic-first treatment: Hose leaf undersides regularly; spray insecticidal soap or horticultural oil.
Slugs and snails
How to identify: Holes chewed in ripe berries.
Organic-first treatment: Hand-pick at night, use beer traps or iron phosphate bait.
Aphids and whiteflies
How to identify: Clusters of small soft insects on new growth; curled, sticky leaves.
Organic-first treatment: Blast off with a strong water spray, then use insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage ladybugs and lacewings.
FAQ
Can I grow strawberries in summer in Florida? They struggle in summer heat; treat them as a fall-to-spring crop.
Do I need two plants? No, strawberries are self-pollinating, though more plants mean more berries.
Related Reading
- What Fruit Trees to Plant Now in Florida This Fall and Winter
- Why Too Much Fertilizer Can Hurt Your Fruit Tree More Than None
- Cold-Hardy Fruit Trees for Florida Freezes (and How to Protect Tender Ones)
Ready to grow your own? Get the Everbearing Strawberry here.
