Growing Strawberries In Hot, Dry Climates - Phoenix - Arizona

Overview

A member of the Rose family (Rosaceae), the Fragaria genus has more than 20 species commonly known as strawberries. Modern strawberries, Fragaria ananassa, are hybrids of Fragaria virginiana, native to North America, and Fragaria chiloensis, native to the Pacific coasts of North and South America. European species were the original large fruited strawberries sold in markets and some are still grown for local consumption.

Strawberries fall into three categories. June-bearing, which produce March into May in hot climates, have the largest berries and produce one crop at one time. The harvest date varies by 14 days according to cultivar, ranging from 'early-bearing' to 'mid-season' to 'late-bearing'. June-bearing tend to produce the largest total crop by weight and are the commercial crop of choice.

Ever-bearing cultivars produce two crops, one in spring and one in fall. Some cultivars seem to be a cross between ever-bearing and day-neutral and have the best characteristics of both. Day-neutral cultivars have the smallest berries and produce steadily throughout the fruiting season, but produce less total fruit than June-bearing.

The best reason to grow your own strawberries is that home grown strawberries can taste far better than those in grocery stores. If there were a "Seven Wonders of the Food World" list, some home grown strawberry cultivars, picked when fully ripe, would be one of them.

Plant Description

Roots Most strawberry roots grow no more than 6" (15cm) deep and do not exceed 12" (30cm) deep. Root growth is inhibited in high temperatures.

Heat Tolerance Only a few strawberry cultivars survive temperatures over 100°F (38°C), even with 50% shade all day. Most strawberry cultivars will not set fruit over 80°F (27°C), although some will flower in higher temperatures and set fruit when nighttime temperatures are below 80°F (27°C). In hot climates, strawberries do best when planted in the fall and harvested in the spring.

Cold Tolerance USDA hardiness zones: 3-10, depending on cultivar. Flowers are damaged by temperatures below 28°F (-2.2°C) and should be protected by row covers.

Flowers and Fruits Strawberry flowers are composite flowers having five, white or pale red petals, and with a conical center composed of many, tiny yellow flowers called florets. The florets are self-fruitful and do not need another plant for pollination. The flowers bloom in spring for all types and also summer and fall for everbearing and day-neutral varieties. Botanically, the strawberry is not a berry but an enlarged flower stem covered with seeds. The part we call fruit is the swollen end of the flower stem with red skin and sweet red and white flesh. The "seeds" on the outside are fruits of the florets and are really achenes: dry one-seeded fruit that do not open to release the seed inside.

Time until Fruit and Harvest Strawberries will fruit 4-5 months after planting and produce mature fruit 4-6 weeks after flowering. Pick berries when they are fully colored, without any pale areas on the outside. Wait until they are dark red if possible, and leave a bit of stem on the harvested berry. The flavor is best at dark red. Strawberries do not ripen further after picking.

Cultivars of Note for hot, dry regions: 'Camarosa' Early June-bearing, extended season, USDA zones 4-9, firmer and handles high temperatures better than Chandler, best flavor when picked dark red. Perennial. 'Chandler' Early to mid June-bearing, USDA zones 5-8, known for superior flavor when exposed to winter chill, high productivity, less resistant to disease. Perennial in zones 5-8, treated as an annual elsewhere. 'Loran' Ever-bearing, USDA zones 5-9, very tolerant of soil types, including neutral pH, low chill, long blooming, blooms late winter, spring and summer in USDA zone 8b, flowers and fruits in high temperatures, not as flavorful. Annual. 'Quinault' Ever-bearing, USDA zones 4-9, highly disease resistant. Needs perfect, very acidic soil conditions to flower. Not as flavorful as Chandler. Perennial. 'Sequoia' June-bearing, USDA 4-9, tolerant of soil types, low chill, longer blooming, flowers and fruits in high temperatures. Perennial in USDA zones 4-8, treated as an annual elsewhere. Strawberry 'Loran' blooming and fruiting when the current afternoon temperature is 101°F (38°C) and the morning temperature was 71°F (21°C).

Cultivation Practices

Plant in the Fall For hot desert climates, plant in late summer or early fall, not mid-winter. The roots will grow in the fall and blooming will begin in March or April for a spring harvest.

Use Well-Draining Containers, Trays or Raised Garden Beds Containers should be used without saucers so as to drain better without standing water in the bottom. Containers should not receive direct sun on their sides to avoid overheating roots. Hanging baskets can be used providing the soil does not dry out. Raised garden beds provide better moisture control than flat beds. Some dedicated gardeners use greenhouses with automatic misting to control high temperatures.

Soil Preparation Use well drained, high organic soil with a pH of 5.6-6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic). Do not use ordinary desert soil as part of the soil mixture. Premium potting soil with moisture retention works well. The soil should be kept moist.

Fertilize Not required if soil is properly prepared.

Planting Depth Place root crowns at, or very slightly above, soil level. Root crown level is important – too high and the plant will dry out. Too low and root rot will occur.

Do Not Follow Verticillium-susceptible Plants Avoid planting strawberries in soil where nightshades (tomato, pepper, peppers, golden berry, eggplant, etc), melons, okra, mint, blackberries, raspberries and other bramble berries, stone fruits, chrysanthemums, and roses or other strawberry plants were growing less than five years earlier. This will prevent sharing common diseases such as Verticillium Wilt which can linger in soils for many years.