Strawberry in Zone 7B — Texas

Strawberries are a delightful addition to any Texas garden, offering a burst of sweet flavor that's far superior to anything you'll find at the store. Imagine fresh strawberry shortcake made with berries you grew yourself, or adding them to your morning yogurt. Plus, with our long growing season, you can often get a decent harvest.

Our unpredictable weather can be a challenge, but don't let that deter you. By timing your planting right and paying attention to the specific needs of strawberries, you can definitely succeed. We have a long growing season of around 255 days, giving you a good window to work with.

Transplanting your strawberry plants outdoors is best done from late February through mid March. This gives them time to establish before the full force of the Texas heat hits. Before you move them permanently, be sure to harden them off. Give them about a week of gradually increasing outdoor exposure to acclimate to the sun and wind.

When transplanting, space your plants about 12-18 inches apart to allow for their spreading growth habit. Keep an eye on the weather forecast during this time. We can sometimes get a late freeze, so be prepared to cover your plants if temperatures are predicted to drop. You'll want to buy bare-root plants or potted starts in spring, as growing from seed here is just too slow and unreliable.

Strawberries need consistent moisture, especially when they are fruiting. In our Texas climate, this can be a bit tricky because we often swing between drought and flash floods. Aim for about 1 inch of water per week, but adjust based on rainfall. During the hottest part of the summer, you might need to water more frequently.

The finger test is your friend: stick your finger about 2 inches deep into the soil near the plant. If it feels dry, it's time to water. Water at the base of the plants rather than overhead, if possible. The humidity we sometimes get can encourage fungal diseases if the foliage stays wet.

Mulch heavily around your strawberry plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds. Pine straw or shredded bark work well in our area. If your plants are underwatered, you'll see wilting leaves and dry, shriveled berries. Overwatering can lead to root rot, indicated by yellowing leaves and a generally unhealthy appearance.

Strawberries don't need a lot of pruning, but some maintenance will keep them productive. Throughout the growing season, remove runners (the long stems that spread out) unless you want the plants to spread and create new plants. Removing the runners directs the plant's energy towards fruit production.

If you're growing June-bearing strawberries, renovate the beds after harvest by mowing or cutting back the foliage. This encourages new growth for the following year. As the first frost approaches around mid- November, remove any dead or diseased foliage to prevent overwintering pests and diseases.

You can usually expect your first strawberry harvest from late May through early July here in Texas. Look for berries that are fully red, plump, and fragrant, with no white or green shoulders near the cap. A ripe berry will also detach easily from the plant.

Gently pick the berries with the green cap attached to prolong their shelf life. Harvesting in the morning, after the dew has dried, will give you the best flavor. Keep picking regularly to encourage continued production. As the first frost approaches around mid- November, harvest any remaining ripe berries and consider covering your plants if a light frost is predicted, to potentially extend your harvest a bit longer.

Here are some common problems you might encounter with strawberries in Texas:

• Gray Mold
• What it looks like: Fuzzy gray mold on the berries, especially during humid weather.
• What causes it: A fungal disease that thrives in damp conditions, common with our variable humidity.
• How to fix/prevent it: Improve air circulation by spacing plants properly. Remove infected berries and foliage promptly. Use a fungicide if necessary.
• Slugs
• What it looks like: Irregular holes in leaves, especially low-growing plants. Silvery slime trails on leaves and soil. Damage worse at night and in wet weather.
• What causes it: Gastropods that feed at night in moist conditions. Hide under mulch, boards, and debris during the day.
• How to fix/prevent it: Beer traps (shallow dish of beer sunk into soil). Iron phosphate bait (pet-safe). Remove hiding spots. Water in morning so soil surface dries by evening. Copper tape around beds. Diatomaceous earth around plants.
• Birds
• What it looks like: Missing berries or berries with peck marks.
• What causes it: Birds love strawberries as much as we do!
• How to fix/prevent it: Cover your plants with netting or use bird-scaring devices.
• Strawberry Crown Borer
• What it looks like: Weakened plants, reduced yields, and small, white larvae inside the crown of the plant.
• What causes it: A beetle that lays its eggs in the crown of the strawberry plant.
• How to fix/prevent it: Remove and destroy infested plants. Rotate your strawberry beds. Insecticides may be necessary in severe cases.
• Verticillium Wilt
• What it looks like: Lower leaves yellow, wilt, and die, progressing upward. One side of plant may be affected first. Brown streaks in stem cross-section.
• What causes it: Soil-borne fungus that persists for years. Cooler soil temperatures favor it.
• How to fix/prevent it: No cure — remove infected plants. Rotate with non-susceptible crops (corn, grains). Solarize soil. Plant resistant varieties (look for 'V' on labels).

Texas Specific Challenges: The extreme heat, variable humidity, and unpredictable rainfall in Texas can exacerbate many of these problems. Monitor your plants closely and adjust your watering and pest control strategies as needed. Fire ants can also be a nuisance, so keep an eye out for their mounds and treat them accordingly.

Good companions for strawberries include lettuce and spinach, which provide ground cover and help retain moisture. Onions and garlic can deter pests, while thyme and borage attract beneficial insects.

Avoid planting strawberries near broccoli, cauliflower, pepper, and tomato. These plants can compete for nutrients or attract pests that also affect strawberries. Peppers and tomatoes are susceptible to verticillium wilt. By choosing the right companions, you can create a thriving strawberry patch in your Texas garden.