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Fruit & Orchards

Too Late for Bare Root Strawberry Plants?

6 years ago

I'm pretty ticked off with Park Seed right now. I have used them for 30 years off and on and had good experiences. WIth a gap of about the last 10 years I got back into gardening and ordered two varieties of strawberries. One the berries had no green growth and were so dry that they were brittle. I planted anyway and within a week realized that they were dead. I requested a replacement. Two weeks later I remembered that I hadn't heard from them and sent a follow up email for an update and requesting replacement for the second variety that I bought as well as only 3 of those plants were growing. Of course they sent just the first variety and while there is some green growth on a few, most are dry and brittle. I'm going to get a refund from them.

So I"m at the point of having two new strawberry beds and no plants. Is it too late for this year to plant bare root plants and does anyone have a recommendation of a supplier that can ship quickly?

Thanks!

Thomas

Featured Answer

Jason (Zone 10b, San Diego)

6 years ago

I've had a good experience with Indianaberry and they were recommended to me by another GW member.

This late in the season you may want to look at a local nursery or big box store to get something that is more established. They may not have the exact variety you are looking for.

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Comments (8)

Thomas
Original Author
6 years ago
Was the indianaberry bare root stock? I prefer strawberries that way rather than spending $4 per plant and getting a variety that I'd rather not have.
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
6 years ago
I'd say chances of finding bare root stock in good condition at this time of year are slim to none. Most plants are setting blooms now and getting ready to start producing fruit. Bare root is used for dormant plants - strawberries should not be dormant at this time of year!!

FWIW, my local nursery gets in bare root strawberries by the bushel in early February. But they immediately pot them up - 5 plants per pot. That is really the only way to protect those tiny root systems from drying out and the plants dying or being damaged by folks rummaging through a bin of bare root. That way, the plants can be sold well into the season (or until they run out) without concern for their health and viability.
Thomas thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
Thomas
Original Author
6 years ago
@gardengal48 I agree totally. That's why I will probably not get strawberry plants this year.. :( Used to be Park Seeds was so good. Plants arrived in great condition. The first batch were dry and brittle with no new growth starting.

I see that indiana berry is suggesting fall planting? I've never planted strawberries in the fall. Just in early spring. Anyone go this route? I will likely purchase from this company. Lots of varieties that I haven't heard of. What are people's favorite variety? I would like a heavy june bearer and an everbearer. Size doesn't matter to me, I'd rather have taste.
randy41_1
6 years ago
late summer (early september) planting will work better then fall planting to give the plants time to get their roots down. i've done this with plugs (chandler).
Thomas thanked randy41_1
Kevin Reilly
6 years ago
nourse farms has an excellent reputation as well for berries
Thomas
Original Author
6 years ago
@randy sort of makes sense, runners are starting to grow around that time for the next year. Wonder if suppliers will ship in the summer.
Adam B
6 years ago
I'll second Nourse Farms. I purchased 25 of two varieties this spring and all 52 (they sent an extra of each) are thriving. I also bought 50 bare roots from Krohne Farms and 49 of the 50 are doing well.

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