The strawberry plant, a member of the genus Fragaria, is one of the most widely cultivated fruits globally. Gardeners select varieties based on their unique fruiting behavior, which determines the timing and duration of the harvest. The everbearing strawberry represents a major classification, offering a distinct alternative to traditional single-harvest varieties.
Defining Everbearing Strawberries
An everbearing strawberry plant is a variety that produces two or three distinct periods, or flushes, of fruit within a single growing season. This characteristic contrasts sharply with June-bearing varieties, which yield a single, large crop typically over a three-week period in late spring or early summer. While everbearing is the traditional term, it is often used interchangeably with or grouped with modern “day-neutral” cultivars. Day-neutral types are essentially an improvement on the older everbearers, offering a more consistent and continuous harvest across the season. The primary appeal of the everbearing habit is the ability to pick fresh fruit from late spring until the first hard frost of autumn.
The Unique Fruiting Cycle
The ability of everbearing strawberries to produce fruit over multiple months stems from differences in their flower bud initiation triggers. Unlike June-bearers, which are short-day plants and set buds only as day length shortens in the fall, everbearers are considered less sensitive to photoperiod. They are classified as facultative long-day plants, meaning they are encouraged to flower by longer summer days.
Instead of day length, the cycle is more heavily influenced by temperature, which dictates the timing of the flushes. Everbearers typically produce a heavy first crop in late spring, followed by a lighter, more sporadic yield throughout the summer months. Production often lulls when temperatures exceed 85°F (29°C), which inhibits flower formation. As temperatures moderate in late summer and early fall, the plants initiate a second flush of fruit that continues until cold weather arrives.
Essential Care for Everbearers
The continuous production of fruit requires a significantly different care regimen compared to single-crop varieties, particularly regarding nutrient supply. Because the plants are constantly channeling energy into flowers and fruit, they have a higher demand for nutrients throughout the season. Gardeners should apply a balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 formulation, in early spring when growth begins and again in mid-summer.
Managing runners, the horizontal stems that produce new daughter plants, is also necessary to maintain production. Everbearing varieties naturally produce fewer runners than June-bearers, but any that do appear should generally be removed. Removing these runners directs the plant’s energy toward developing crowns and fruit.
Furthermore, in the first year after planting, it is recommended to remove all the initial flower stems that emerge, typically through June. This practice forces the plant to invest its resources into establishing a strong root system and a robust crown, which is necessary for heavy, long-term fruiting in subsequent years.