Adding Strawberries in Seedtime:
For info on how to add strawberries as a custom crop in Seedtime, please reference our guide on adding garlic to Seedtime here.
You'll use the same principles with adding strawberries as a custom overwintered crop in your account, including moving the harvest date to the next spring.
Planting and Harvest Schedule Suggestions:
Otherwise, here is a suggested planting and harvest schedule for fall-planted strawberries, with spring harvest times, based on USDA hardiness zones. These timelines assume you are overwintering your strawberries (using mulch or row covers to protect them from frost).
Zone 3 (Average first frost: early to mid-September)
Planting time: Early August
Harvest time: Late June to early July (next year)
Notes: In this cold zone, planting earlier in August gives the plants time to establish before the first frost hits. Be sure to heavily mulch or cover plants for winter protection.
Zone 4 (Average first frost: mid to late September)
Planting time: Mid to late August
Harvest time: Late June (next year)
Notes: Strawberries should be planted before the frost sets in, allowing about 4-6 weeks of growing time before the ground cools too much. Mulching for winter is important to protect from harsh winter conditions.
Zone 5 (Average first frost: early October)
Planting time: Late August to early September
Harvest time: Mid-June (next year)
Notes: Planting in late August or early September will allow the strawberries to establish roots before frost. Covering with mulch or straw over winter will help insulate the plants.
Zone 6 (Average first frost: mid to late October)
Planting time: Early to mid-September
Harvest time: Late May to early June (next year)
Notes: In Zone 6, you have more flexibility to plant later in the fall, but aim to give the plants at least 6 weeks to establish before the frost.
Zone 7 (Average first frost: early November)
Planting time: Mid to late September
Harvest time: Early to mid-May (next year)
Notes: In this warmer zone, strawberries can be planted later in September, and they will overwinter well with a light mulch cover. The harvest begins earlier due to the mild winter.
Zone 8 (Average first frost: mid to late November)
Planting time: Late September to early October
Harvest time: Late April to early May (next year)
Notes: The warmer climate allows strawberries to establish more easily before winter, and with a milder frost period, they will begin fruiting earlier in the spring.
Zone 9 (Average first frost: early December)
Planting time: Early to mid-October
Harvest time: Mid to late April (next year)
Notes: In Zone 9, strawberries planted in October will benefit from the long growing season, with an earlier spring harvest. Plants will need minimal winter protection.
Zone 10 (Average first frost: mid-December or later)
Planting time: Mid to late October
Harvest time: Late March to early April (next year)
Notes: Zone 10 offers a nearly frost-free winter, so strawberries will establish quickly. Harvest can happen as early as late March.
Summary Table
Zone | Planting Time (Fall) | Harvest Time (Spring) |
Zone 3 | Early August | Late June to Early July |
Zone 4 | Mid to Late August | Late June |
Zone 5 | Late August to Early Sept | Mid-June |
Zone 6 | Early to Mid-September | Late May to Early June |
Zone 7 | Mid to Late September | Early to Mid-May |
Zone 8 | Late September to Early Oct | Late April to Early May |
Zone 9 | Early to Mid-October | Mid to Late April |
Zone 10 | Mid to Late October | Late March to Early April |
Notes for All Zones:
Fall planting preparation: Ensure that the soil is well-prepared and amended with organic matter before planting in the fall. Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil.
Winter protection: Apply a layer of straw mulch or cover plants with row covers as temperatures begin to drop. This helps insulate the plants from freezing temperatures and prevents frost damage to crowns.
Early Spring: Once the threat of frost has passed in the spring, remove the mulch to allow the plants to grow and produce fruit.
These planting and harvest schedules ensure that strawberries are well-established before winter, enabling an abundant spring harvest.
Reference: ChatGPT was used with the writing of this article.