Sharon has participated in weekly radio chats for over 10 years to share simple and practical gardening tips with her zone 3-4 listening audience of central Alberta, however, the garden practices and information she shares is applicable to gardens of all climates.
Today’s topic covers the age-old question: what are the differences between June-bearing, ever-bearing, and day-neutral strawberries?
Join the conversation with Sharon, hosted by Jackie Rae of 840 CFCW AM, as they chat about the differences between types of strawberries and where they work best in your gardening space.
Introduction
Jackie Rae:
This is CFCW. At this time, every Wednesday, we have Gardening with Sharon. It’s brought to you by Proven Winners, the brand gardeners trust.
One thing what’s his name did not get me for Valentine’s Day was chocolate covered strawberries, but I’m over it. I’m over it.
But for here in our climate, what kind of strawberries should we be looking at?
Sharon:
I’m glad you’re talking about this because strawberries have enjoyed a lengthy history on the horticultural scene with the first mentions of them in Roman writings in the thirteenth century, and it was all about the romantic thing.
And strawberries, for our application, strawberries are divided into three categories.
There’s June-bearing, there’s ever-bearing, and there’s day-neutral strawberries.
So, the question always begs, what’s the difference between each type of strawberry?
Diving into the flower physiology of strawberries, these categories are based on how strawberries are influenced by day length, which is called photoperiod, and the air temperatures.
Strawberries actually set fruit best when the temperatures are a little cooler, between 15 and 27 Celsius (59 -80 F).
So, here’s the breakdown of what makes each type of strawberry different:
June-Bearing Strawberries
June-bearing strawberries are the most commonly planted strawberries in zone 3-4 gardens which produce one large crop of berries, usually during late June or early July.
June-bearing strawberries develop their flower buds in late fall triggered by shorter days and longer nights, and they need a period of dormancy.
And when spring comes, they spring into action and flowers as soon as the temperatures warm up.
So, June-bearing strawberries produce an early crop, hence the ‘June-bearing’ thing, of large berries, and they are great for preserving as jams and jellies, but they’re done their bearing, and then they focus their energy on producing multiple runners.
June-bearing varieties include: ‘Cavendish’, ‘Annapolis’, ‘Earliglow’, and ‘Jewel’, all which are hardy for zone 3-4 gardens.
Ever-Bearing Strawberries
Ever-bearing strawberries produce two, sometimes three crops in a growing season, and they produce their flower buds in late spring and early summer in response to longer summer days, and they don’t require a dormancy period.
Ever-bearing strawberries are smaller than June bearing, and they are good for eating fresh.
The first crop will mature in early summer and the next crop is late summer, which gives the illusion that they are constantly bearing fruit.
These ones are really good for growing in hanging baskets and planters because they don’t need a dormancy period, they can be sown in the winter, and they bear all summer, but they also are zone hardy.
As Ever-bearing plants age, they begin to develop a gap in production. Ever-bearing strawberries produce fewer plant runners and are well adapted to gardens with limited space.
Look for Ever-bearing varieties like: ‘Ogallala’ (zone 3-9a), ‘Berries Galore’ has pink or white flowers (zone 5), ‘Delizz’ and ‘Ruby Ann’ (zone 3-8); and ‘Fort Laramie’ (zone 3-7).
Day-Neutral Strawberries
Now we have day-neutral strawberries, which are the third type.
As their name implies, day-neutral strawberries are less sensitive to day length than the others to initiate their flower fruit set.
Day-neutrals will flower and produce all through the growing season, however the heat of summer does slow down their production, but that’s with the ever-bearings as well.
The strawberries’ sizes and crops are smaller than the June-bearing, but the advantage is that people can have a constant supply, and these are another great option for hanging baskets and planters, and there are also hardy day neutral varieties available.
As new hybrids appear on the landscape, day-neutral strawberries are becoming more productive than the ever-bearing cultivars.
‘Seascape’ is an easy to find day-neutral strawberry variety.
So that is the scoop on what the differences between these three categories are.
Jackie Rae:
Alrighty, we can get this info and more where?
Sharon:
I’m on FaceBook, Instagram, and my website are all under the name of Gardening with Sharon as we will talk more about strawberries as the season wears on.
Can You Grow Different Strawberry Types Together?
Yes, you can plant June-bearing, ever-bearing, and day-neutral strawberries in the same garden! In fact, many gardeners will plant different types of strawberries on purpose because it stretches the harvest season.
- June-bearing strawberries give you one big crop in early summer, perfect for preserving or freezing.
- Ever-bearing strawberries add smaller harvests in early and late summer, great for snacking and fresh use.
- Day-neutral strawberries provide steady fruit all season, filling in the gaps between the other two types of strawberry plants
By mixing all three types, you can enjoy strawberries from June right through to the first frost. Just keep in mind that June-bearing plants send out more runners, so give them space, while ever-bearing and day-neutral plants are easier to manage in smaller beds, containers, or in a strawberry hanging basket.
Which Strawberry Variety is Best to Plant for Beginners?
If you’re starting out with growing strawberries in your garden this year, June-bearing varieties are the best choice. They’re hardy in colder zones, require less ongoing care, and reward you with one big harvest in early summer. This makes them perfect if you want lots of berries at once for freezing, jam-making, or family desserts.
Final Thoughts: Picking the Right Strawberry Plant for Your Garden
Whether you want a big harvest for preserving or a steady stream of fresh berries, there’s a strawberry type that fits your garden.
- For canning and freezing: go with June-bearing.
- For fresh eating and smaller spaces: try ever-bearing.
- For season-long supply: plant day-neutrals.
Choose the type, or a mix of all three, that matches your garden goals. You’ll enjoy strawberries from early summer right through to fall.
If you’d like more tips on planting and growing strawberries, follow Gardening with Sharon on Facebook, Instagram, or explore our website for practical advice that works in any garden zone!
More to Explore
- The Secret to Growing Great Strawberries in Planters and Hanging Baskets
- The Complete Guide to Growing Great Strawberries in Alberta & the Prairies
- How to Plant Garlic for Maximum Growth and Yield
- A Comprehensive Guide on How to Grow Carrots
- How to Grow Great Cucumbers in Alberta
© Sharon Wallish Murphy © Gardening with Sharon
