How to Grow Alpine Strawberries

Plant alpine strawberries for their great taste.

Not only are Alpine strawberries more fragrant and tastier than regular strawberries, they are grown differently. This day-neutral may be grown from seed. In fact, it's the only strawberry plant that is normally grown from seed. Alpines develop many growing points as they get larger. They work well when planted in front of perennials, as ground cover, or along a driveway or walkway. Alpine strawberries grow fewer runners, so maintenance is a snap.

Things You'll Need

• Plug trays
• Soil mixture
• Sand
• Plastic wrap
• 4 inch plant pot or 1020 garden flat
• Shovel
• Fertilizer
• Pruning shears

Instructions

1. Germinate the seeds in plug trays. Sow them just into the soil surface. Sprinkle white sand on top to hold the seeds down. Keep the soil consistently moist. Cover with plastic wrap but let the air in every time you check the soil moisture, which should be every day.

2. Remove the plastic wrap once the seeds begin to sprout. Put the seeds in a bright window or other sunny location. Check the soil moisture twice a day and water the soil to ensure it never dries out.

3. Keep the temperature between 64 degrees Fahrenheit and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooler temperatures will make the process take longer. Expect it to take a few weeks for all the seeds to sprout. At least 60 percent typically germinate.

4. Transplant alpine strawberries after about two months. Move them from the plug trays to inserts or 4-inch plant pots. The inserts have have 18 separate cells in a flat. The plants can also be moved into hanging baskets at this time.

5. Allow the strawberries to fill their containers. Once they do, move them to the final container or raised garden bed. If putting them outside, wait until the spring because that's when the soil can be manipulated.

6. Cut off damaged roots. Roots that are 4 to 5 inches long are ideal, so trim longer ones. Remove runners, flowers and old leaves.

7. Dig planting holes deep enough for the mid-point of the crown to sit even with the ground. Planting strawberries too deep can lead to rot and too shallow may make the crown dry out. Set alpine strawberries in the planting hole so the roots are pointed down and out, in a fan-shape. Protect the plants from direct sunlight when you plant them. Fill in around the roots and press down lightly to remove air pockets.

8. Fertilize alpine strawberries with an acid food such as 20-20-20. Dilute it to half-strength. Keep the soil moist but not wet.

9. Remove all flowers until July 1 during the first year of growth. Snip off runners as they appear. This promotes fruiting.

Tips & Warnings

• Divide alpine strawberries as they mature to produce more plants.

References

• Fraises Des Bois: How to Grow Alpine Strawberries
• University of Minnesota Extension; Strawberries for the Home Garden; Doug S. Foulk, et al.; 2009