If you’re a fan of fresh, sun-warmed berries, you might wonder when do strawberries grow in Florida. The answer is a bit different than in northern states, thanks to our unique climate. Florida’s strawberry season is a sweet, winter-time treat that peaks when much of the country is covered in snow.
Our commercial farms and home gardens rely on this special timing. Getting it right means a bounty of juicy fruit for months.
When Do Strawberries Grow In Florida
The core growing season for Florida strawberries runs from late fall through early spring. For most of the state, the planting window is short and sweet. You typically plant bare-root strawberry plants in October.
The plants then grow through the cooler winter months. You’ll start harvesting ripe berries around late November or December. The peak of the season usually hits in February and March.
Things wind down by April as temperatures rise. This cycle makes Florida a vital supplier of fresh strawberries during the winter.
Florida’s Primary Strawberry Regions
Not all parts of Florida grow strawberries the same way. The industry is concentrated in two main areas.
* The Plant City Area (Hillsborough County): Often called the “Winter Strawberry Capital of the World,” this region near Tampa produces the vast majority of the state’s commercial crop. Its sandy soil and cool winter nights are perfect.
* North Florida: Smaller farms and home gardeners in zones 8 and 9 also have success. Their season may start and end a bit earlier due to colder winter temps.
Why Florida’s Strawberry Season is Unique
Florida’s season is flipped compared to national norms. Here’s why that happens:
* Chill Requirement: Strawberry plants need a period of cool weather to initiate flowering. Florida’s winter provides that perfectly without killing the plants.
* Avoiding the Heat: Strawberries are cool-weather plants. They struggle in our intense summer heat and humidity. The winter season allows them to grow in ideal conditions.
* Market Advantage: This schedule means Florida berries fill grocery store shelves from December to March, a time when few other U.S. regions are harvesting.
Best Strawberry Varieties for Florida Gardens
Choosing the right type is crucial for a good harvest. You need “short-day” varieties that fruit during our lower-light winter months. Here are the top performers recommended by the University of Florida:
* ‘Florida Brilliance’: A leading variety known for its excellent flavor, firmness, and disease resistance. It’s a great all-around choice.
* ‘Sweet Sensation®’: This one is famous for its exceptional sugar content and classic strawberry shape. It’s a favorite for fresh eating.
* ‘Florida Beauty’: Another reliable variety that produces high yields of attractive, tasty berries over a long season.
* ‘Camarosa’: An older but trusted variety that sets fruit early in the season. It’s a solid option for home gardeners.
Avoid “June-bearing” types commonly sold in national stores. They are not well-suited for the Florida climate and will likely disappoint you.
Step-by-Step: Growing Your Own Florida Strawberries
Want to try growing your own? Follow these steps for the best chance of success.
1. Timing Your Planting
Mark your calendar for early to mid-October. This is the single most important step. Planting too late (after November) gives plants less time to establish before fruiting, leading to a smaller harvest.
2. Selecting and Preparing the Site
Strawberries demand full sun—at least 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. They also need excellent drainage. If you have heavy soil, plant in raised beds or containers.
* Test your soil pH. Strawberries prefer a slightly acidic pH between 5.5 and 6.5.
* Amend the soil with plenty of compost or well-rotted manure before planting.
3. Planting Correctly
You’ll usually buy bare-root plants, which look like little roots with a crown. Here’s how to plant them right:
1. Soak the bare roots in water for about 20 minutes before planting.
2. Dig a hole wide enough to spread the roots out.
3. Place the plant so the soil line is exactly at the crown. The crown is where the roots meet the stems. If it’s buried, it will rot. If it’s too high, the roots will dry out.
4. Space plants about 12 to 18 inches apart in rows that are 3 to 4 feet apart.
4. Watering and Fertilizing
Consistent care keeps plants healthy and productive.
* Watering: Water deeply right after planting. After that, provide 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week. Use drip irrigation or water at the soil level to keep leaves dry and prevent disease.
* Fertilizing: At planting, use a balanced fertilizer. Switch to a low-nitrogen, bloom-boosting fertilizer (like a 0-10-10 formula) once you see flower buds forming. To much nitrogen makes leaves, not fruit.
5. Managing Pests and Problems
Watch out for a few common issues:
* Birds: They love berries as much as you do. Use bird netting once fruit starts to ripen.
* Fungal Diseases: Leaf spot and fruit rot can be problems in humid weather. Ensure good air flow and avoid overhead watering. Remove any diseased leaves or fruit promptly.
* Aphids & Spider Mites: A strong spray of water from the hose can dislodge them. Insecticidal soap is a good organic option if infestations get bad.
6. Harvesting Your Bounty
The fun part! Berries are ready when they are fully red, with no white or green tips.
* Pick them in the cooler morning hours.
* Pinch or snip the stem about a half-inch above the berry. Don’t pull the berry itself.
* Harvest every other day during peak season to keep plants producing.
* Handle berries gently and refrigerate them soon after picking.
Extending Your Strawberry Harvest
A few tricks can give you berries for a longer period.
* Succession Planting: Try planting a few new plants every couple weeks in October to stagger the harvest.
* Container Growing: Pots can be moved to slightly shadier spots as spring heat arrives, protecting the plants for a week or two longer.
* Regular Picking: Never let overripe fruit stay on the plant. This signals the plant to stop producing.
What to Do When the Season Ends
As April heat arrives, production will slow and plants will look tired. In Florida, we generally treat strawberries as annuals. Here’s your end-of-season plan:
1. Pull up and discard the old plants. This helps break disease and pest cycles.
2. Plan to rotate your strawberry bed to a new location next fall.
3. You can try to save a few healthy “mother” plants in pots in a shady spot over the summer, but it’s often easier to start with fresh, vigorous plants each October.
Florida Strawberry FAQ
Q: Can you grow strawberries year-round in Florida?
A: No, not successfully. The summer heat, humidity, and pests are to intense for strawberry plants to thrive. They are a cool-season crop here.
Q: Where are Florida strawberries grown?
A: The majority are grown in the Plant City region in Hillsborough County. Some are also farmed in North Florida around Quincy.
Q: When is Florida strawberry season for picking?
A: The public “U-Pick” farms are typically open from December through March, with January and February being the most reliable months for good availability.
Q: What month is best to plant strawberries in Florida?
A: Early to mid-October is the ideal planting month for almost the entire state. This gives plants time to establish roots before flowering.
Q: Why are my strawberry plants leafy but not producing fruit?
A: This usually has two causes: 1) You’re using the wrong type of strawberry (not a short-day variety), or 2) You’re using a fertilizer with to much nitrogen, which promotes leaf growth instead of flowers.
Understanding the rhythm of when do strawberries grow in Florida is the first step to enjoying them. Whether you visit a local U-Pick farm, buy a flat at the farmers market, or grow a few plants on your patio, that sweet seasonal harvest is a special part of Florida’s winter. With the right timing and care, you can enjoy this fresh, local flavor for several months each year.