‘Strawberry Sweetheart’ is a popular and rewarding strawberry variety, well-suited for both seasoned gardeners and new cultivators. It offers a delightful blend of flavor and ease of growth, making it a favored choice for various garden settings. Its adaptability, especially for container growing, contributes to its widespread appeal among home growers.
Unique Characteristics of Strawberry Sweetheart
The ‘Strawberry Sweetheart’ cultivar (Fragaria x ananassa ‘Sweetheart’) is an everbearing variety, producing fruit from early summer through autumn. This provides a continuous supply of berries over an extended season. The plant exhibits a compact growth habit, forming a dense canopy of dark green leaves. This compact nature makes ‘Sweetheart’ suitable for cultivation in containers, hanging baskets, and smaller garden spaces.
The fruit is highly regarded for its quality. Berries are typically conical, sweet, juicy, and deep red, with a balanced sweetness and acidity. ‘Sweetheart’ also boasts good disease tolerance, including resistance to powdery mildew and some tolerance to Verticillium wilt, contributing to its low maintenance appeal.
Planting and Ongoing Care
‘Strawberry Sweetheart’ thrives in full sun, requiring at least eight hours of direct sunlight daily. A sheltered location with well-drained, fertile soil is beneficial. The soil should have a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Incorporating organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure improves drainage and nutrient content. If drainage is poor, raised beds can prevent waterlogging.
When planting, set the crown level with the soil surface. Planting too deeply can lead to rot, while planting too shallowly may cause roots to dry out. Space plants 12 to 18 inches (30-45 cm) apart for proper air circulation. Water thoroughly immediately after planting to settle the soil.
Consistent moisture is important, especially during dry periods and fruit development. Plants require one to two inches of water per week, including rainfall. Water deeply at the base using a soaker hose or drip irrigation to deliver water directly to the roots and keep foliage dry, reducing fungal disease risk. Check soil moisture every few days, watering when the top inch or two feels dry. Container-grown strawberries need more frequent watering due to faster soil drying.
For fertilization, work a balanced, slow-release blend into the soil a few weeks before planting. Once established, apply a liquid fertilizer every two weeks to support continuous growth and fruit production. Remove runners to encourage fruit production. Mulching around plants with straw, leaves, or black plastic suppresses weeds, conserves soil moisture, and keeps fruit clean.
‘Strawberry Sweetheart’ exhibits good resistance to common diseases. To prevent issues like gray mold or powdery mildew, ensure good air circulation and avoid overhead watering. Common pests such as aphids, slugs, and spider mites can be managed with organic solutions like insecticidal soap or by encouraging beneficial insects. Netting protects ripening fruit from birds. In colder climates, apply a layer of mulch for winter root insulation.
Harvesting Your Sweetheart Strawberries
Harvest ‘Strawberry Sweetheart’ berries when they are fully ripe, displaying a deep red color and a firm texture. The harvesting period can begin in June and continue into autumn for everbearing types. Picking berries in the morning, when the air is cool and dry, helps preserve their flavor and texture.
To harvest, gently pinch off the stem just behind the berry, rather than pulling the fruit directly from the plant. This prevents damage to both the berry and the plant, ensuring continued production. As an everbearing variety, ‘Sweetheart’ produces fruit continuously, requiring regular picking to encourage more blossoms and subsequent fruit. Freshly harvested strawberries are best enjoyed within a couple of days. They are excellent for fresh eating, adding to desserts, blending into smoothies, or making into sauces and jams.