The phone always rings with questions concerning growing strawberries. Many home gardeners decide that strawberries are too much work and choose to get theirs from the local u-pick patch.

June bearing berries are really May bearing in this part of Illinois. These berries usually produce fruit for two to three weeks. Bearing time is closely related to temperature. As temperatures rise fewer berries are produced and deterioration of fruit speeds up.

When ground conditions are right in late March or early April it is time to plant strawberries. This will allow plants to become established before hot weather. Strawberries should be planted in a well drained location in full sun.

June bearing strawberry varieties includes Earliglow, Honeoye, and Allstar. Earliglow is a early bearing small berry with excellent flavor. Honeoye is my favorite. This berry will yield more and produce larger fruit. Allstar is a large berry, later then the other two but sometimes has a green shoulder.

The first year one should remove all blooms from the newly planted plants. This allows the new plants to spend their energy on plant growth. Plants should be planted 18-24 inches apart within rows 26-48 inches apart. Before planting apply one pound of 12-12-12 every 100 square feet.

In late fall or early winter the plants should be covered before temperatures reach 20°F with three to four inches of straw mulch. The mulch protects the undeveloped fruit buds through the winter.

In mid March mulch should be pulled back to the row middle to allow the plants to grow. A row cover may have to be used to cover the plants if a frost threat is apparent.

The following spring after planting you will have fruit. After harvest mow off the tops of the plants but do not destroy the crown. Fertilize again with one pound of a complete fertilizer per 100 square foot and narrow the rows to 12 to 18 inches wide. Keep the plants weeded with a visit to the patch at least once a week.

There is nothing like the fresh taste of a strawberry. Growing your own makes the experience more memorable.