The Red Garden Strawberry ( Fragaria x ananassa ) is a hybrid heirloom variety from the 1800’s and is the most commercially grown strawberry worldwide. The fruit is a bit larger than its ancestors, the Alpine Strawberries and have a sweet smell and flavour. Ripe strawberry size can vary on each plant and average between 3-5 cm in length.
Red Garden Strawberry plants prefer a full sun position, which is where they will produce the most fruit. Fruiting usually begins in early Summer, depending on climate and can continue through to the first frosts.
Suitable for Cold to Sub-Tropical climates.
Our other strawberry varieties include the White Alpine and Mignonette.
Growth
The Red Garden Strawberry plant is a perennial growing to around 30-40 cm tall and wide. This variety sends out runners in the attempt to re-produce more plants, which it can be very successful at. The runners will grow along the ground, root and then die off leaving two (or more with multiple runners) separate plants, this is great if you want to produce many strawberry plants for sale or similar; but not great for fruit production. While the plants are sending out runners, this is where they will spend their energy, so for good fruit production, Remove runners once they appear to encourage more strawberries, these can be planted once cut to grow new plants. Also harvesting regularly, once red and ripe; will encourage further fruiting.
Red Garden Strawberries can produce fruit in the first 3-4 months from seed germination and are prolific fruiters; with the right care. Fruit is approximately 3-5 cm in length and and roughly 3 cm wide.
Feeding your strawberries through their flowering and fruiting periods will keep them healthy and productive. We recommend growing all edible plants organically, your body will thank you and the food will taste much better! There are plenty of options these days for organic fertilisers; soil conditioners and pest & fungal control. Don’t underestimate companion planting.
FAMILY:
Rosaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold to Sub-Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-30°C to 35°C / -22 to 95°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well draining, compost and nutrient rich soil.
LOCATION:
Full Sun
HEIGHT:
Up to 40 cm (16 inch)
WIDTH:
Up to 45cm (18 inch)
pH:
5.8-6.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Perennial
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Medium
POLLINATION:
Pollinated by bees and insects
MATURITY:
3-6 months
GERMINATION RATES:
42-86%
GERMINATION TIME:
1-4 weeks
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 2000
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
Not classed as invasive, however can spread by runners and take over garden beds.
EDIBLE:
Yes!
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 2 years or; in a freezer will survive up to 4 years.
FACTS ABOUT FRAGARIA X ANANASSA (Red Garden Strawberry)
Garden strawberries were first grown in France in the 1800’s and were developed by crossing two Wild Strawberry varieties, one from Chile and the other from North America.
If properly cared for, Strawberries will provide a continual harvest during their fruiting season; from Summer to Autumn. One small plant can provide a handful of fresh strawberries every day.
All parts of the Fragaria x ananassa have been used in traditional medicine for multiple medical and cosmetic purposes. Among many other health benefits, Strawberries provide antioxidant activity; assist with blood pressure issues; improve eye health and are high in vitamin C!
Strawberries among its many traditional and modern uses, are used to make perfumes; soaps; essential oils; shampoos; creams and of course flavourings.
