If you love strawberries, you are not alone.This fruit is among the most popular crops in the United States as strawberries are grown in every state throughout the country, with the top producers being: California, Oregon, and Florida. Of those three states, California is reported to produce 75% of the strawberry crop for the country!
But do strawberries need full sunlight? Learn the answer to that question, and discover facts and gardening advice regarding strawberries.
Types of Strawberries
Strawberries are of the family Rosaceae and belong to the genus Fragaria. The garden strawberry is a common hybrid. There are over 100 varieties of strawberries; they can be divided into the following three groups:
- June Bearing Strawberries – These produce a large group of strawberries during June and July. Some speculate that this variety produces the most fruit.
- Ever Bearing Strawberries – These will produce one crop in early summer and the second in early fall.
- Day Neutral Strawberries – These will produce strawberries throughout the growing season.
Strawberries and Sunlight
Strawberries need full sunlight. A minimum of 6 hours of sunlight per day will be required. But strawberries will only truly thrive at 10 hours of sunlight per day. The plants can survive in the shade but will only be ornamental and not produce fruit.
But why do strawberries need full sunlight for so many hours? The answer is in the plant’s biological processes.
All plants require light for photosynthesis. This process occurs when a plant converts light, oxygen, and water into carbohydrates to make energy. If plants don’t get enough carbohydrates to make energy, they won’t be able to grow, bloom, or produce seeds.
Strawberries need a lot of full sunlight to undergo enough photosynthesis to produce a bountiful crop adequately.
Best Places to Plant Strawberries
Strawberries need full sunlight, so you should choose your planting spots carefully. Avoid planting strawberries under tall shady trees in the corner of the yard where the house blocks out the sun. Observe where your property receives the most sunlight on a given day and choose that spot.
Other factors to keep in mind when planting:
- Strawberries prefer loamy, well-draining soil.
- Strawberries keep their roots in the first three inches of soil.
- Strawberries need plenty of water.
- Soil pH should be between 5.5 and 7.
- Strawberries will send out runners, so allow for sprawling.
- Strawberries do their best when temperatures are between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
- They will tolerate lower temperatures than 60 degrees. But they do not thrive.
Facts About Strawberries
There are so many amazing facts about strawberries:
- They are the most widely grown fruit crop in the United States.
- Americans will purchase 8lbs of strawberries a year.
- There are over 100 varieties of strawberries.
- Strawberries are indigenous to every continent except Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
- A museum in Belgium exists just for strawberries!
More on Musée de la Fraise de Wépion
The Belgium museum of strawberries is a small museum located in the town of Wépion, where strawberries constitute a significant part of the local economy. It tells the history of growing and packing strawberries, they also sell a variety of strawberry products crafted in the area.
In Conclusion
Strawberries need full sunlight to grow healthy and delicious fruit for your garden. You will need to choose a location that gets between 6 to 10 hours a day of sunlight.
This will help them with the process of photosynthesis and the production of energy. If your plants do not get the full amount of sunlight needed per day, they won’t be able to produce seeds, bloom, or set any fruit.