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Early varieties of strawberries make it possible to harvest a good harvest already at the end of spring. With the necessary care, their fruiting begins in mid-May. Not only domestic varieties are popular, but also the results of selection of foreign specialists.
Advantages of early varieties
Growing early strawberries has a number of advantages:
- depending on the variety, the crop is harvested in mid-May;
- even with a lack of light and heat, the berries grow juicy and tasty;
- most plants self-pollinate;
- fruiting is 3-4 weeks;
- breeding strawberries are frost-resistant, little susceptible to diseases;
- a wide range of varieties according to their characteristics;
- plants are adapted for growing in different regions.
How to get an early harvest
In order for strawberries to be able to give an early harvest, you need to provide proper care for them. In the spring, a layer of earth up to 3 cm thick is removed from the breasts. This will eliminate pests wintering in the upper layer of soil, as well as warm up the root system.
After loosening, the soil is sprinkled with sawdust, peat or straw. In spring, plants are fed with nitrogen fertilizer and mullein solution.
Another condition for the early ripening of berries is weekly watering. Before flowering, strawberries can be sprayed, but then you should switch to root watering.
In addition, plants require the following care:
- weeding the beds;
- elimination of damaged elements;
- mulching with sawdust when the first berries appear;
- regular fruit picking.
Super early strawberry varieties
Ultra-early varieties of strawberries give a harvest in mid-May. They are suitable for outdoor or greenhouse cultivation. You can speed up the ripening of berries by using a covering material.
Alba
Italian strawberry Alba is characterized by super early fruiting. The first harvest is received by mid-May. This is one of the best varieties in terms of yield and maturity.
The plant reaches 20 cm in height. Up to 1,2 kg of crop is harvested from each bush. The berries themselves have an oval shape, dense pulp and a light aroma. The average fruit weight is 30 g, however, it can reach 50 g.
You can evaluate the quality of Alba berries by the photo:
Alba has a sweet taste, however, there is a slight sourness. Fruiting is 2,5 months. The variety is able to withstand frost and dry conditions. The plant is resistant to most diseases.
For the plant, choose places that are well warmed by the sun. During fruiting, Alba is demanding on watering.
Kama
The Kama variety is distinguished by compact bushes that form low flower stalks. Therefore, the berries themselves grow low and are hidden under the leaves.
At the beginning of ripening, the weight of Kama berries is up to 60 g, then they become smaller (up to 20 g). The first crop is harvested in mid-May. One Kama bush produces up to 1 kg of cone-shaped, slightly ribbed fruits.
Berries have a bright taste, however, you need to wait until they turn a bright red color. Even red fruits have a sour taste, so you should not rush to harvest.
Kama gives the maximum yield in the first year, then fruiting decreases. The duration of cultivation of this variety is up to 3 years.
Marvelous
strawberry Divnaya copes well with frost and drought. The plant forms a tall upright shrub. The leaves are large and shiny.
Variety Divnaya is distinguished by oblong berries resembling a cone in shape. The pulp of the fruit is quite dense and sweet, has a strawberry flavor.
Fruit weight is 20-35 g. Up to 1 kg of crop is harvested from a bush per season. Fruits tolerate storage and transportation well. In one place Divnaya grows up to 4 years.
Bushes are resistant to gray rot, however, they are prone to purple spotting. In the spring, spider mites may appear on them.
Honey
The first harvest of the Honey variety is taken in mid-May. Strawberries form a tall and sprawling bush with a powerful rhizome. The leaves grow large, dark green. Peduncles are able to withstand heavy fruits and do not fall to the ground.
In terms of yield, Honey is considered the best variety. 1,2 kg of strawberries are harvested from each bush.
Berries have a weight of 30 g, mostly conical in shape. At the end of fruiting, their size decreases, however, the taste becomes brighter. The pulp is juicy with a sweet and sour taste. Fruiting lasts 3 weeks.
Fleur
Variety Fleur was obtained by breeders in Holland specifically for cultivation in the northern regions of Scandinavia. This variety of strawberries is considered unpretentious and able to always give a good harvest.
Strawberry Fleur is the most precocious and is ahead of other varieties in this indicator by a week. The bush is formed from 6-7 leaves of medium size. Peduncles rather long, standing type.
The berries are conical in shape and weigh about 35 g. The pulp has a dense texture and a bright taste. Fruit aroma is pronounced. The plant tolerates long periods of rain and is little susceptible to disease.
Olbia
The super-early variety Olvia allows harvesting at the end of May. With quality care, one bush is able to produce up to 1 kg of fruit.
Olbia is characterized by a powerful bush with spreading dark leaves. The plant forms few shoots.
The photographs show that the berries are quite large: weighing 35 g, rounded. The fruit pulp is firm and sweet. Strawberries are suitable for transportation and have a long shelf life.
Due to the developed root system, the plant is able to endure winter frosts. Olvia is resistant to fungal infections and is little exposed to pests. The plant is drought tolerant.
Zefir
The early Zephyr strawberry was the result of a selection by Danish scientists. Under good weather conditions, you can get a harvest in mid-May. Partial shade is chosen for planting.
The bush gives large, shiny fruits weighing 40-60 g. By the end of fruiting, their size does not decrease. The pulp has a rich sweet taste and delicate aroma. Ripening of berries occurs simultaneously.
The yield of the Zephyr variety is up to 1 kg. Strawberries can withstand frosts down to -35°C with the obligatory presence of snow cover.
The best early varieties
Mid-early varieties of strawberries give a harvest in the second half of May – early June. Both foreign and domestic species are used for growing strawberries. According to the description of early varieties of strawberries, you can choose the right options for your garden.
Maryshka
Strawberry Maryshka is characterized by medium early ripening. The first berries turn red by the end of May. The plant forms a compact low shrub with few leaves.
Maryshka has a powerful rhizome. Peduncles are hidden under the leaves, however, the berries do not touch the ground.
The fruits are located in close proximity to each other, therefore they have a different shape. Usually it is an elongated or flat cone.
Maryshka gives berries weighing 40-60 g. The aroma of fruits resembles wild strawberries. The yield from one bush is 0,5 kg. Fruiting lasts 2 weeks. The plant remains resistant to winter frosts.
Darenka
The Darenka variety was bred in the Sverdlovsk region, therefore it is adapted to the climatic conditions of Our Country. The plant has erect leaves of large size, slightly concave and lowered. Peduncles are at the level of the leaves.
The berries are medium and large in size, weighing up to 30 g. Their shape is blunt-conical with a pronounced neck. The pulp has a sweet and sour taste.
Darenka is resistant to winter frosts and spring cold snaps. There are no special conditions for growing, however, constant watering is required.
Kokinskaya dawn
The domestic variety Kokinskaya Zorya belongs to the dessert varieties of strawberries. Fruiting begins at the end of May and lasts until June.
Kokinskaya dawn gives a stable harvest. The berry has a red color and dense pulp. The fruits are formed quite large, reaching 35 g in weight. Up to 0,8 kg of yield is obtained from each strawberry bush.
Plants are not damaged after winter frosts. Kokinskaya Zarya is resistant to fungal infections and strawberry mites. For landing, choose areas that are abundantly illuminated by the sun. However, drought tolerance is average.
Masha
Mashenka is one of the best varieties of strawberries in garden plots. The plant itself has a compact appearance, however, the stems and leaves are quite powerful.
The maximum weight of berries reaches 100 g. At the beginning of the season, large fruits are formed, then their size decreases and reaches a weight of 30-40 g. The shape of the berries is comb-shaped, slightly flattened.
The variety is characterized by early ripening and high yield (up to 0,8 kg per bush). Mashenka is valued for its taste.
The disadvantage of plants is sensitivity to frost. The plant can withstand temperatures as low as -15°C.
Clery
Strawberries Clery grown by Italian breeders. This variety has been grown in Europe for wholesale for over 20 years.
The flowering of seedlings begins with the onset of May, and the first harvest is taken at the end of the month. Representatives of the Clery variety are tall bushes with a few dark green leaves.
The plant forms high inflorescences in the amount of 3-4. The berries are cone-shaped and weigh 25-40 g. Up to 0,6 kg can be obtained from one bush.
Clery has a sweet taste, the fruits are dense without a pronounced aroma, they are stored for a long time and are suitable for transportation.
Octave
Octava strawberries ripen towards the end of May, however, the maximum harvest is taken in early June. The bush is slightly spreading, medium in size. The leaves are quite compressed, dark green. Peduncles keep the berries suspended above the surface of the leaves.
Octave gives large fruits weighing up to 40 g. The color of the berries is dark red with a shiny surface, the shape is a wide cone with a pronounced neck.
The flesh of Octave is juicy, has a characteristic aroma. The taste is rich, sourness is felt. Due to the dense structure, Octava strawberries are suitable for transportation.
Frost resistance remains at an average level. Octave is practically not susceptible to diseases.
Kimberly
Strawberry Kimberly forms a small but powerful bush. The leaves are medium in size and rounded. Strong flower stalks of the variety do not fall under the weight of the berries.
The fruits are heart-shaped and heavy (40-50 g). The pulp of the berries is sweet and juicy. Kimberly has a delicate taste reminiscent of caramel.
The yield of Kimberley is up to 2 kg from each bush. Fruits are stored for a long time during transportation and storage. Plants tolerate frost well. Kimberly is not very susceptible to diseases, prefers flat areas, abundant sunlight.
Asia
Strawberry Asia was bred by Italian scientists for industrial use. However, the variety has become widespread in garden plots.
Early ripe Asia has a powerful root system and is able to tolerate severe frosts. Plants are disease resistant.
Bushes are formed quite large, with wide leaves and thick shoots. The leaves are slightly wrinkled, have a rich green color.
The Asia variety is characterized by large berries weighing about 30 g. The shape of the fruit is cone-shaped, slightly flattened, the color is bright red. The taste of strawberries is sweet with strawberry aroma. Up to 1 kg of crop is harvested from one bush.
Elsanta
Strawberries with the unusual name Elsanta were obtained by Dutch scientists. The plant grows a small bush with large concave leaves. The shoots are quite tall and thick, the flower stalks are located at the level of the leaves.
Drought tolerance is average. The plant is not susceptible to fungal diseases, however, it may suffer from damage to the root system.
Elsanta produces berries weighing 40-50 g in the shape of a cone. The pulp is fragrant, slightly sour. The maximum yield is 2 kg from each bush.
Kent
The Kent strawberry is bred in Canada and is characterized by unpretentiousness. The plant is a tall shrub, the peduncles of which are located at the level of the leaves.
The first harvest is taken at the end of May. The berries are round, cone-shaped or heart-shaped. The weight of one fruit reaches 40 g.
Kent strawberries taste sweet and juicy. Ripening of berries takes place even in cloudy weather. Up to 0,7 kg of crop is harvested from each bush.
Kent tolerates frosts of -20°C in the presence of snow cover. For seedlings, forest or chernozem soil is selected. On soil with high acidity, waterlogged and calcareous soils, plant growth slows down.
Reviews of gardeners
Conclusion
Early strawberries begin to ripen by mid-May. Its best varieties are distinguished by good yield and high taste. To ensure early fruiting, you need to choose areas for strawberries that are well lit by the sun. Plants need careful care. This includes watering, weed removal, soil mulching, timely harvesting and plant nutrition.
