Will Strawberry Plants Come Back Year After Year
If you are someone who loves gardening and growing fruits, then the thought of planting strawberries must have crossed your mind. Strawberries are not only delicious but also quite easy to grow. However, if you are new to gardening, you might have a lot of questions, and one of them would be whether strawberry plants come back year after year. In this article, we will dive deep into this topic and give you all the information you need to know about growing strawberries.
Do Strawberry Plants Come Back Every Year?
The answer is yes! Strawberry plants are perennial, which means they come back year after year. However, the plants will not produce fruit forever. After a few years, the yield will start to decrease, and the plants will need to be replaced. But on the bright side, strawberry plants are known to produce runners, which are new plants that develop from the parent plant. These runners can be used to start new plants, so you can have a steady supply of strawberry plants every year.
How to Plant Strawberry Plants
Before we talk about how to plant strawberry plants, it's important to choose the right variety. There are three types of strawberries: June-bearing, everbearing, and day-neutral. June-bearing strawberries produce fruit once a year, usually in June. Everbearing strawberries produce two harvests, one in spring and one in fall. Day-neutral strawberries produce fruit throughout the growing season.
Once you have chosen the type of strawberry plant you want to grow, it's time to plant them. Here are the steps you need to follow:
- Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil.
- Prepare the soil by adding compost or manure.
- Plant the strawberries in rows, leaving about 18-24 inches between each plant.
- Water the plants well after planting.
- Mulch the plants to help retain moisture and control weeds.
How to Care for Strawberry Plants
Now that you have planted your strawberry plants, it's important to take care of them to ensure a healthy and fruitful harvest. Here are some tips on how to care for strawberry plants:
- Water the plants regularly, especially during dry spells.
- Fertilize the plants with a balanced fertilizer once a month.
- Remove any runners that are not needed to prevent overcrowding.
- Remove any dead leaves or stems to prevent the spread of diseases.
- Cover the plants with netting to protect them from birds and other animals.
Conclusion
So, there you have it. Strawberry plants do come back year after year, but they will need to be replaced after a few years. With the right care and maintenance, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of delicious strawberries every year. Now that you know how to grow and care for strawberry plants, it's time to get started on your own garden. Happy planting!
