One of the best parts about living in New Jersey is that the Garden State we truly live in a state loaded with gardens, farms and yes, strawberry patches. Home gardeners in New Jersey will notice their winter-dormant strawberry patches are coming back to life.
Befre you know it, you’ll be picking delicious and juicy Jersey strawberries. If you don’t grow your own, now is a great time to start and to get them in the ground.
If you use an everbearing variety like the one in our patch in the above photo, you’ll get strawberries in your first season. If not, you might have to wait a season.
Strawberries start coming out in June, but if you want to increase your harvest, here are some tips you can use to get a head start now.
Spring is a time of renewal, and for gardeners, it’s also the season for maintaining their strawberry patch. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting out, taking care of your strawberry plants in the spring will ensure a bountiful harvest in the summer. Here are some essential tips for spring strawberry patch maintenance.
- Remove Winter Mulch
Before you can start any maintenance work on your strawberry patch, you need to remove the winter mulch that you used to protect the plants from the cold. Remove the mulch slowly to avoid damaging the new growth that has already started to emerge.
- Evaluate the Health of Your Plants
Once the mulch is removed, it’s time to evaluate the health of your strawberry plants. Look for any signs of disease or pests that could harm your plants. If you see any issues, you should take immediate action to prevent the problem from spreading. It’s essential to catch any potential problems early to avoid losing your entire crop.
- Weed Your Strawberry Patch
Weeds are a common problem in any garden, and strawberries are no exception. Weeds can compete with your strawberry plants for nutrients and water, making it difficult for your plants to grow healthy and strong. Make sure you weed your strawberry patch regularly to keep it weed-free.
- Fertilize Your Strawberry Plants
Fertilizing your strawberry plants is an essential part of spring maintenance. Use a balanced fertilizer that contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to promote healthy growth. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and avoid over-fertilizing your plants.
- Water Your Strawberry Plants
Strawberry plants need plenty of water to grow and produce fruit. Water your plants regularly, especially during hot and dry periods. Be sure to water the plants at the base, rather than overhead, to avoid wetting the leaves and promoting disease.
- Thin Your Strawberry Plants
If your strawberry plants are too crowded, you should thin them out to promote healthy growth. Remove any runners that are too close to the main plant, and make sure each plant has enough space to grow.
- Protect Your Strawberry Plants from Birds
Birds love strawberries, so it’s essential to protect your plants from them. You can use netting or bird repellent to keep birds away from your plants. Make sure the netting is secured properly to prevent birds from getting trapped.
Maintaining your strawberry patch in the spring is crucial to ensure a healthy and bountiful harvest. Remove the winter mulch, evaluate the health of your plants, weed your patch, fertilize your plants, water them regularly, thin out crowded plants, and protect them from birds. With these essential tips, you’ll have a beautiful and productive strawberry patch all season long.
Not interested in growing your own strawberries in New Jersey?
Here are some public pick-your-own strawberry farms in New Jersey that you can visit:
- Alstede Farms, Chester – Alstede Farms is a family-owned farm that offers pick-your-own strawberries, along with other fruits and vegetables. They have a variety of strawberries that are ripe for picking from late May to early June.
- Johnson’s Corner Farm, Medford – Johnson’s Corner Farm is a popular destination for pick-your-own strawberries in New Jersey. They offer several strawberry varieties, and their fields are open to the public from late May to early June.
- Wemrock Orchards, Freehold – Wemrock Orchards is a family-owned and operated farm that offers pick-your-own strawberries from late May to early June. They have a variety of strawberry varieties and also offer strawberry picking tips for beginners.
- Donaldson Farms, Hackettstown – Donaldson Farms is a large family-owned farm that offers pick-your-own strawberries, as well as other fruits and vegetables. They have several strawberry varieties and are open for picking from late May to early June.
- Melick’s Town Farm, Oldwick – Melick’s Town Farm is a historic farm that offers pick-your-own strawberries, as well as other fruits and vegetables. They have several strawberry varieties and are open for picking from late May to early June.
These are just a few of the many pick-your-own strawberry farms in New Jersey. Before heading out, it’s always a good idea to call ahead or check their websites for hours, availability, and pricing. Remember to bring sunscreen, hats, and comfortable shoes to ensure a fun and enjoyable picking experience.
Of course, you can also visit your local Shoprite or Stop & Shop and buy prepackaged strawberries, but nothing compares to the sweet and fresh taste of a handpicked Jersey strawberry right off the plant.