Did you know that the strawberry – one of the most sought after and delicious foods in the world – can be grown in the gardens of Hays County? And luckily for us, they’re easy to grow.
By far the best choice for us is the Junebearer strawberry.
You can often start picking berries as early as February, and if the spring is cool, expect fresh berries all the way until the end of June.
As the days begin to get long, these Junebearers will send out runners (stolons) that will produce new plants. When the days get short again, they will flower.
Some folks have tried Everbearing strawberries. They bloom later in the year, and I have found that our summers are often just too brutal for any great success.
The most important tip I can pass on to fellow Hays County gardeners? Strawberries must have well drained soil.
A good garden mixture to aim for is 50% sand mixed with rich compost and topsoil. If your drainage is poor, plant them in raised beds.
Another idea is to put them in hanging baskets and strawberry pots. This allows you to move them into shadier and cooler spots as the mercury starts to rise in the summer months.
When growing them in pots, use a good soil-less potting mix such as Metro, Sunshine or Miracle –Gro. These offer both nutrients and drainage, so you won’t have to mix any else into the soil.
Mulching is another top priority. If you mulch generously around the plants, you’ll help to keep those roots warm in the winter, and cooler in the summer… just the way they like it.
Happy Strawberry Gardening everyone!
If you have a question, send it via email to: [email protected]. (Please put ‘Ask Chris Winslow’ in the subject line.) Or mail your letter or postcard to: Ask Chris Winslow. It’s About Thyme: 11726 Manchaca Road, Austin, TX 78748 www.itsaboutthyme.com
