One of the crops I am interested in growing in the community garden are strawberries. I have researched strawberry cultivation and have posted my response to research questions (found on John’s DP) here.
a. The strawberry is a delicious fruit with many uses including jam and juice.
b. The growing season for the strawberry is during the Spring, and they do best in moist, cool regions. San Diego’s Mediterranean climate should be accommodating for this crop as the weather is never too hot for them, and moisture on the coast of San Diego should be fine for the strawberries.
c. The strawberries should be planted where other crops have already been grown from, because pests and weeds harmful to the strawberry can be found in beds not previously cultivated. Also, the strawberry plant should be purchased in plant form, and then planted into the beds.
d. The strawberry plant will continuing bearing fruit for over two years! It will be ready for harvest in approximately 2-3 months, and should be replanted every 2-3 years. This will allow for continuous harvest of strawberries through the class of 2013.
e. If we wanted to grow by seeds, the best way would be to ascertain strawberry achenes to plant. This will take an additional 2-3 months, so it might not be feasible for a harvest this semester.
f. The plants need to be 15 inches away from each other, so we can probably plant up to 20 and have enough. Also, this plant SHOULD NOT be planted near peppers, tomatoes, eggplant or potatoes as it causes devastating wilt to the strawberries.
g. Strawberries thrive best in a soil environment that is drained (as strawberries do not like to be damp) Strawberries will not grow in soil with high lime content. The soil should be somewhat acidic (between 5.5 and 6.0 on the scale). The best NPK ratio for the strawberry is 10-10-10.
h. Strawberries require 1 inch of water per week. Do not allow standing water to saturate the soil for a day or longer, as it is bad for the crop. Drip irrigation would be ideal as it will minimize the water to make the strawberries happy.
i. Definitely not peppers, tomatoes, eggplant and potatoes! These are fatal to the plant. Also, it is best to keep away from cabbage. Plant near beans, lettuce, onions, spinach, and thyme.
j. The strawberry is not a true berry because of the absent of seeds inside the plant. The yellow seeds on the exterior are considered individual fruits.
Strawberries were used back in the 1200s in Rome for medicinal purposes.
Strawberries contain salicylates, which is found in Asprin.
I look forward to getting this approved and to start planting this in our Media Arts Community Garden.
