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Early strawberry varieties allow you to harvest a good harvest at the end of spring. With the necessary care, their fruiting begins in mid-May. Not only domestic varieties are popular, but also the results of selection by foreign specialists.
Advantages of early varieties
Growing early strawberries has a number of advantages:
- Depending on the variety, the harvest is harvested as early as mid-May;
- even with a lack of light and heat, the berries grow juicy and tasty;
- most plants are self-pollinating;
- Fruiting lasts 3-4 weeks;
- Selected strawberries are frost-resistant and are little susceptible to diseases;
- wide selection of varieties according to characteristics;
- plants are adapted for growing in different regions.
How to get an early harvest
In order for strawberries to produce an early harvest, you need to provide them with proper care. In the spring, a layer of soil up to 3 cm thick is removed from the breasts. This will eliminate pests overwintering in the top layer of soil, as well as warm up the root system.
After loosening the soil, sprinkle it with sawdust, peat or straw.In spring, plants are fed with nitrogen fertilizer and mullein solution.
Another condition for early ripening of berries is weekly watering. Before flowering begins, you can spray strawberries, but then you should switch to root watering.
Additionally, plants require the following care:
- weeding beds;
- elimination of damaged elements;
- mulching with sawdust when the first berries appear;
- regular fruit collection.
Super early strawberry varieties
Ultra-early strawberry varieties produce a harvest already in mid-May. They are suitable for growing in open ground or greenhouse. You can speed up the ripening of berries by using covering material.
Alba
Italian Strawberry Alba distinguished by super early fruiting. The first harvest is received by mid-May. This is one of the best varieties in terms of yield and ripening time.
The plant reaches 20 cm in height. Up to 1.2 kg of crop is harvested from each bush. The berries themselves have an oval shape, dense pulp and a light aroma. The average weight of the fruit is 30 g, however, it can reach 50 g.
You can evaluate the quality of Alba berries from the photo:
Alba has a sweet taste, however, there is a slight sourness. Fruiting lasts 2.5 months. The variety can withstand frost and dry conditions. The plant is resistant to most diseases.
For the plant, choose places that are well heated by the sun. During fruiting, Alba is demanding on watering.
Kama
Variety Kama It is distinguished by compact bushes that form low peduncles. Therefore, the berries themselves grow low and hidden under the leaves.
At the beginning of ripening, the weight of Kama berries is up to 60 g, then they become smaller (up to 20 g). The first harvest is harvested in mid-May.One Kama bush produces up to 1 kg of cone-shaped, slightly ribbed fruit.
The berries have a bright taste, however, you need to wait until they turn bright red. Even red fruits have a sour taste, so there is no need to rush into harvesting.
Kama produces its maximum yield in the first year, then fruiting declines. The duration of cultivation of this variety is up to 3 years.
Marvelous
Russian Strawberry Wonderful copes well with frost and drought. The plant forms a tall, erect bush. The leaves are large and shiny.
The Divnaya variety is distinguished by oblong berries that resemble a cone in shape. The pulp of the fruit is quite dense and sweet, with a strawberry flavor.
The weight of the fruit is 20-35 g. Up to 1 kg of crop is harvested from the bush per season. The fruits tolerate storage and transportation well. In one place, Divnaya grows for up to 4 years.
The bushes are resistant to gray rot, however, they are susceptible to purple spotting. In the spring, spider mites may appear on them.
Honey
The first harvest of the Honey variety is harvested in mid-May. Strawberries form a tall and spreading bush with a powerful rhizome. The leaves grow large and dark green in color. Peduncles are able to withstand heavy fruits and do not fall to the ground.
In terms of productivity, Honey is considered the best variety. 1.2 kg of strawberries are harvested from each bush.
The berries weigh 30 g, mostly conical in shape. At the end of fruiting, their size decreases, however, the taste becomes brighter. The pulp is juicy with a sweet and sour taste. Fruiting lasts 3 weeks.
Fleur
The Fleur variety was obtained by breeders in Holland specifically for cultivation in the northern regions of Scandinavia. This variety of strawberry is considered unpretentious and can always produce a good harvest.
Strawberry Fleur is the fastest ripening and is one week ahead of other varieties in this indicator. The bush is formed from 6-7 medium-sized leaves. Peduncles are quite long, erect.
The berries are conical in shape and weigh about 35 g. The pulp has a dense consistency and bright taste. The aroma of the fruit is pronounced. The plant tolerates long periods of rain and is little susceptible to disease.
Olvia
The super early variety Olvia allows you to harvest at the end of May. With quality care, one bush can produce up to 1 kg of fruit.
Olvia is characterized by a powerful bush with spreading dark leaves. The plant produces few shoots.
The photographs show that the berries are quite large: weighing 35 g, round in shape. The pulp of the fruit is dense and sweet. Strawberries are suitable for transportation and have a long shelf life.
Thanks to its developed root system, the plant is able to withstand winter frosts. Olvia is resistant to fungal infections and is little exposed to pests. The plant can tolerate drought.
Marshmallow
Early strawberry marshmallow was the result of selection by Danish scientists. Under good weather conditions, the harvest can be obtained as early as mid-May. Partial shade is selected for planting.
The bush produces large, shiny fruits weighing 40-60 g. By the end of fruiting, their size does not decrease. The pulp has a rich sweet taste and delicate aroma. The berries ripen simultaneously.
The yield of the Zephyr variety is up to 1 kg.Strawberries can withstand frosts down to -35°C with the obligatory presence of snow cover.
The best early varieties
Mid-early varieties of strawberries produce a harvest in the second half of May - early June. For growing strawberries Both foreign and domestic species are used. Based on the description of early varieties of strawberries, you can choose suitable options for your garden.
Maryshka
Strawberry Maryshka characterized by mid-early ripening. The first berries turn red by the end of May. The plant forms a compact low bush with a small number of leaves.
The monkey has a powerful rhizome. The flower stalks are hidden under the leaves, however, the berries do not touch the ground.
The fruits are located in close proximity to each other, so they have different shapes. Usually it is an elongated or flat cone.
Maryshka produces berries weighing 40-60 g. The aroma of the fruit is reminiscent of wild strawberries. The yield from one bush is 0.5 kg. Fruiting lasts 2 weeks. The plant remains resistant to winter frosts.
Darenka
Variety Darenka bred in the Sverdlovsk region, therefore adapted to the climatic conditions of Russia. The plant has large, erect leaves, slightly concave and drooping. Peduncles are at the level of the leaves.
The berries are medium and large in size, weighing up to 30 g. Their shape is blunt-conical with a pronounced neck. The pulp has a sweet and sour taste.
Darenka is resistant to winter frosts and spring cold snaps. There are no special conditions for cultivation, however, constant watering is required.
Kokinskaya dawn
The domestic variety Kokinskaya Zorya belongs to the dessert varieties of strawberries.Fruiting begins at the end of May and lasts until June.
Kokinskaya Zarya produces a stable harvest. The berry has a red color and dense pulp. The fruits are produced quite large, reaching a weight of 35 g. Up to 0.8 kg of harvest is obtained from each strawberry bush.
Plants are not damaged after winter frosts. Kokinsky zarya is resistant to fungal infections and strawberry mites. For planting, choose areas that are abundantly illuminated by the sun. However, drought resistance is average.
Mashenka
Mashenka is one of best varieties of strawberries in garden plots. The plant itself has a compact appearance, however, the stems and leaves are quite powerful.
The maximum weight of the berries reaches 100 g. At the beginning of the season, large fruits are formed, then their size decreases and reaches a weight of 30-40 g. The shape of the berries is comb-like, slightly flattened.
The variety is distinguished by early ripening and high yield (up to 0.8 kg per bush). Mashenka is valued for its taste.
The disadvantage of plants is sensitivity to frost. The plant can withstand temperatures down to -15°C.
Clery
Strawberry Clery grown by Italian breeders. This variety has been grown in Europe for wholesale sale for over 20 years.
Flowering of seedlings begins with the onset of May, and the first harvest is harvested at the end of the month. Representatives of the Clery variety are tall bushes with a few dark green leaves.
The plant forms tall inflorescences in the amount of 3-4. The berries are cone-shaped and weigh 25-40 g. You can get up to 0.6 kg from one bush.
Clery has a sweet taste, the fruits are dense without a pronounced aroma, are stored for a long time and are suitable for transportation.
Octave
Octave strawberries ripen towards the end of May, however, the maximum harvest is harvested in early June. The bush is slightly spreading, medium in size. The leaves are quite compressed, dark green. Peduncles hold the berries suspended above the surface of the leaves.
Octave produces large fruits weighing up to 40 g. The color of the berries is dark red with a shiny surface, the shape is a wide cone with a pronounced neck.
Octave's pulp is juicy and has a characteristic aroma. The taste is rich, you can feel the sourness. Due to their dense structure, Octave strawberries are suitable for transportation.
Frost resistance remains at an average level. Octave is practically not susceptible to diseases.
Kimberly
Strawberry Kimberly forms a small but quite powerful bush. The leaves are medium sized and round in shape. The variety's strong peduncles do not sag under the weight of the berries.
The fruits are heart-shaped and heavy (40-50 g). Berry pulp sweet and juicy. Kimberly has a delicate flavor reminiscent of caramel.
Kimberly's yield is up to 2 kg per bush. The fruits are preserved for a long time during transportation and storage. Plants tolerate frost well. Kimberly is not susceptible to diseases and prefers flat areas and plenty of sunlight.
Asia
Strawberry Asia was developed by Italian scientists for industrial use. However, the variety has become widespread in garden plots.
Early ripening Asia has a powerful root system and is able to tolerate severe frosts. Plants are resistant to diseases.
The bushes are quite large, with wide leaves and thick shoots. The leaves are slightly wrinkled and have a rich green color.
The Asia variety is characterized by large berries weighing about 30 g.The shape of the fruit is cone-shaped, slightly flattened, the color is bright red. The strawberry taste is sweet with a strawberry aroma. Up to 1 kg of crop is harvested from one bush.
Elsanta
Strawberries with the unusual name Elsanta were obtained by Dutch scientists. The plant grows a small bush with large concave leaves. The shoots are quite tall and thick, the peduncles are located at the level of the leaves.
Drought tolerance is at an average level. The plant is not susceptible to fungal diseases, however, it may suffer from damage to the root system.
Elsanta produces berries weighing 40-50 g in the shape of a cone. The pulp is aromatic and slightly sour. The maximum yield is 2 kg from each bush.
Kent
Kent strawberries bred in Canada and is unpretentious. The plant is a tall bush, the flower stalks of which are located at the level of the leaves.
The first harvest is harvested at the end of May. The berries have a round cone-shaped or heart-shaped shape. The weight of one fruit reaches 40 g.
Kent strawberries taste sweet and juicy. The berries ripen even in cloudy weather. Up to 0.7 kg of crop is harvested from each bush.
Kent tolerates frosts of -20°C in the presence of snow cover. For seedlings, forest or chernozem soil is selected. On soil with high acidity, marshy and calcareous soils, plant growth slows down.
Reviews from gardeners
Conclusion
Early strawberries begin to ripen by mid-May. Its best varieties are characterized by good yield and high taste. To ensure early fruiting, you need to choose areas for strawberries that are well lit by the sun. Plants need careful care. This includes watering, removing weed, mulching the soil, timely harvesting and fertilizing plants.
