Tristar strawberries are a popular choice for home gardeners, offering a continuous harvest of sweet fruit. Their everbearing nature means they produce berries throughout the growing season, providing a steady supply of fresh strawberries. This variety is known for its appealing flavor.
Key Characteristics of Tristar Strawberries
Tristar strawberries are everbearing, or “day-neutral,” producing fruit continuously from late spring until the first frost, as long as temperatures stay between 35 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The berries are typically medium-sized, firm, and glossy red, with a sweet flavor suitable for fresh eating, freezing, or preserves. Tristar plants also have good disease resistance, including tolerance to red stele and verticillium wilt.
Planting Tristar Strawberries
Plant Tristar strawberries in spring after the last frost, once the ground has thawed and soil temperature reaches about 50°F. Choose a site receiving full sun, at least six to eight hours daily, for optimal fruit production. Well-drained soil is preferred, with a slightly acidic pH between 5.5 and 6.5.
Prepare the soil by amending it with organic matter like compost to improve drainage and nutrient content. For bare-root plants, soak roots in water for 30 minutes to an hour before planting. Dig a hole deep enough for roots to spread without bending, ensuring the crown (where roots meet stem) is at soil level and not buried. Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart, with rows roughly 3 feet apart.
Care and Maintenance
Consistent moisture is important for Tristar strawberries, especially during fruiting. They have shallow roots that benefit from regular watering, about one inch per week, but do not tolerate waterlogging. Water at the plant base to keep leaves and fruit dry, reducing disease risk. Fertilization can begin at planting with a balanced fertilizer, and then after the first harvest to support continuous growth. Applying a 10-10-10 slow-release fertilizer every two weeks in summer, or a specific strawberry food in fall for established plants, enhances vigor and yield.
Weeding around strawberry plants reduces competition for nutrients and water. Mulching conserves soil moisture, suppresses weed growth, and keeps developing fruit clean by preventing contact with the soil. Straw or pine needles work well. Tristar strawberries produce runners, which can be allowed to root for propagation or pinched off to direct energy into fruit production. Removing the first flowers in the initial growing season helps the plant establish a stronger root system, leading to better yields in subsequent years.
Harvesting Tristar Strawberries
Berries are ready to pick when fully red and firm, typically 4 to 6 weeks after flowering. The best time to pick is often in the morning after the dew has dried, which can help with shelf life. Gently twist the berry at the stem to avoid damaging the plant. Regular picking encourages the plant to produce more fruit.
Winter Care for Tristar Strawberries
In late fall, after the first hard frost, clean up any old or dead foliage around the plants. This reduces potential overwintering sites for pests and diseases. Once temperatures consistently drop and the ground begins to freeze, apply a protective layer of mulch, such as 2 inches of straw, over the plants. This insulates them from extreme cold and temperature fluctuations, protecting crowns and shallow root systems, especially in colder climates.
Common Issues and Solutions
Pests such as birds and slugs may be attracted to ripening fruit. Netting can deter birds, while slug baits or physical barriers manage slugs. Japanese beetles might also feed on foliage; hand-picking or appropriate insecticides can address them.
Diseases like powdery mildew (white, powdery growth) and leaf spot (dark spots) can affect plants. Good air circulation through proper spacing and removing old foliage helps prevent these fungal issues. Planting in well-drained soil is important to prevent root rot. Poor fruit set may result from inadequate pollination, addressed by encouraging pollinator activity. A soil test can identify nutrient deficiencies.