Page 80 - JAMS Organic Farms Imported Seeds

L. Berries
1. 697.53 Alexandria Strawberry Seed, - 4 X 1000 seeds
Days to maturity- 100-120 days to fruit (Perennial)
Alpine strawberries from seed. Day-neutral. A gourmet treat and easy landscape plant. These decorative little plants produce delicious, aromatic red strawberries, about twice the size of wild berries but much smaller than the standard type. Perennials, Alpine strawberries stay compact and produce few runners, making them suitable for rock gardens, path edgings, pots, and window boxes. They begin producing the second spring, sometimes the first fall. Grows best in Zones 5-8.
• Edible Flowers: Flowers add a mild, strawberry-like flavour if sprinkled on salads or when used as a garnish for drinks and desserts. Avg. 95,200 seeds/oz. Packet: 100 seeds. *Grows Well in Containers. Variety does well when grown in a container.
GROWING INFORMATION
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Fragaria spp.
CULTURE: Strawberries prefer a sunny to partially shaded location and moist, well-drained soil, richly fertilized with compost or aged manure, and a pH between 6.5-6.8. Prepare beds the previous fall or in early spring to get good control over perennial weeds.
PLANTING (SEEDS): Sow seeds thinly in March or April in a fine soilless mix. Press seeds into moist mix and keep moist until plants emerge in 2-3 weeks. Keep soil temperature between 60°F (16°C) and 75°F (24°C), if possible. Transplant to plug trays or 1-1 1/2" apart in flats, then to larger pots or planters for retailing full-size plants: 1 plant/3-4" pot; 3-5 plants/8" pot. Transplant outdoors anytime, 1' apart.
PLANTING (PLANTS): Space plants 12-18" apart in rows 3-4' apart. Some growers prefer to plant the crowns with closer spacing (5-9" in-row spacing for single rows or staggered double rows with 10- 20" in-row spacing) and to remove all runners during the entire life span of the bed. Set plants with the roots straight down into the soil, making sure the middle of the crown is level with the top of the soil. Irrigate and keep free of weeds. Mulch with straw in late fall when plants have started to go dormant to moderate freeze/thaw cycles and heaving. Pull mulch aside in spring when plants start to grow. Leave the mulch in the aisles to keep the fruit clean and help suppress weeds.