Q. How well do
strawberries grow in our Las Vegas climate? When is the best time to plant and
fertilize them? Any other tips?
strawberries grow in our Las Vegas climate? When is the best time to plant and
fertilize them? Any other tips?
A. Strawberries will grow
and produce fruit in our Las Vegas climate. Its not the ideal climate but they will grow and produce fruit. The best tips I can give is to
plant them in the right location, at the right time of year with the right type
of soil amendments, a.k.a. compost.
and produce fruit in our Las Vegas climate. Its not the ideal climate but they will grow and produce fruit. The best tips I can give is to
plant them in the right location, at the right time of year with the right type
of soil amendments, a.k.a. compost.
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| Strawberry produced in the Easter Mojave Desert of Las Vegas |
They grow best in full morning sun but given some shade
during mid to late afternoons. They need about 6 to 8 hours of sunlight, the
same as most vegetables. This means the east side of buildings and walls are
best. Do not plant them in areas exposed to late afternoon sun because they do
not handle the heat and intense sunlight well.
during mid to late afternoons. They need about 6 to 8 hours of sunlight, the
same as most vegetables. This means the east side of buildings and walls are
best. Do not plant them in areas exposed to late afternoon sun because they do
not handle the heat and intense sunlight well.
Which strawberry is best?
Use ever bearing types of strawberries that produce
through most of the season rather than the so-called “main crop” strawberries
that come on all at once.
through most of the season rather than the so-called “main crop” strawberries
that come on all at once.
The best fruit is produced during the spring and fall
months when it is cooler. Many of the common ever bearing types like Quinault,
Chandler and Ozark Beauty produce well here.
months when it is cooler. Many of the common ever bearing types like Quinault,
Chandler and Ozark Beauty produce well here.
When to plant?
Plant them any time in February or March when you see them available but don’t wait
for temperatures to get hot for planting. Some people prefer fall planting but they are harder to find. Actually, the best time to plant is in the
fall if you can find them or get young plants or “runners” from friends and
neighbors.
for temperatures to get hot for planting. Some people prefer fall planting but they are harder to find. Actually, the best time to plant is in the
fall if you can find them or get young plants or “runners” from friends and
neighbors.
Prepare the soil
Before planting, make sure the compost content of the
soil is adequate because strawberries like rich soils. Soils need compost mixed
with it to a depth of 8 to 10 inches deep. Use a 1 to 2 inch layer of compost
mixed into the soil.
soil is adequate because strawberries like rich soils. Soils need compost mixed
with it to a depth of 8 to 10 inches deep. Use a 1 to 2 inch layer of compost
mixed into the soil.
Planting depth is critical on strawberries. Make sure the
soil drains water easily otherwise they will get root rot and die during the
heat.
soil drains water easily otherwise they will get root rot and die during the
heat.
Plant how far apart?
Plant 12 inches apart. New plants from runners. Remove them or peg or secure them into open areas between plants.
When a strawberry patch becomes too crowded, the old plants should be removed
or the area replanted with young plants. Crowded plants do not produce fruit or
flower.
When a strawberry patch becomes too crowded, the old plants should be removed
or the area replanted with young plants. Crowded plants do not produce fruit or
flower.
Just like most vegetables, fertilize them lightly and
frequently with your favorite tomato or rose fertilizer, about every 6 to 8
weeks. Yes, I said to tomato or rose fertilizer because they need the same
nutrients as roses and tomatoes.
frequently with your favorite tomato or rose fertilizer, about every 6 to 8
weeks. Yes, I said to tomato or rose fertilizer because they need the same
nutrients as roses and tomatoes.
When temperatures get warm, cover the soil surface with
mulch. Straw is frequently recommended but I like to use horse bedding rather
than straw. Horse bedding is usually made from pine shavings and they decompose
in the soil quickly compared to straw.
mulch. Straw is frequently recommended but I like to use horse bedding rather
than straw. Horse bedding is usually made from pine shavings and they decompose
in the soil quickly compared to straw.
Strawberries do very well with drip irrigation and light
shade cloth (30 to 40% shade) during the summer months or protection from late afternoon sun.
shade cloth (30 to 40% shade) during the summer months or protection from late afternoon sun.