Organic 'Alpine' Strawberry ( Fragaria vesca ) – offered by Gaia, a perennial and generous strawberry for extended harvests
The Alpine strawberry is a perennial heritage variety , hardy in zones 5 and 6 , which produces abundantly from the first year. Unlike classic strawberry plants, it does not develop stolons , which makes it an easy plant to maintain and ideal for small spaces . Thanks to its compact tuft shape, it adapts perfectly to borders, rockeries, pots and balcony gardens .
This day-neutral variety fruits throughout the season , producing delicious, intensely flavored red strawberries , similar to wild strawberries. It prefers well-drained soil and requires very little maintenance once established.
Did you know?
The Alpine strawberry is known to slow down its production in case of high heat , but it recovers more beautifully as soon as milder temperatures return . Once well established, it can reseed spontaneously , thus ensuring its presence in the garden year after year!
Spread : Compact tufted shape, without stolons
Plant height : 20 to 30 cm
Quantity per pack : ± 200 seeds
Companion plants : Borage, bush bean, caraway, asparagus, catnip, yarrow, alliums, sage, spinach, lettuce
Enemy plants : Brassicaceae (cabbage, broccoli, etc.), Solanaceae (tomato, pepper, etc.)
Cultivation method
Sowing should be done indoors, 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting . For optimal germination, it is advisable to cold stratify the seeds for 2 to 4 weeks , placing them in the refrigerator before sowing.
Sow in a light, well-drained substrate , covering the seeds lightly as they need some light to germinate. Germination may be irregular and take 5-20 days . When hardening off , reduce watering and nitrogen intake to strengthen the young plants.
Space plants 45 to 60 cm apart to allow them to spread out and promote good air circulation . This strawberry prefers partial to full sun , but it can suffer from heat waves . During periods of high heat, a thick mulch helps to conserve soil moisture and maintain regular production.
Harvesting and conservation
Fruits are ready to harvest 4 to 6 weeks after flowering , and should be picked every three days to prolong production.
Fresh strawberries can be stored for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator , without being washed. For longer storage, they can be frozen whole for about 2 months , or made into jams and coulis.
With its prolonged production , its intense taste and its ability to re-seed , the Alpine strawberry is an excellent choice for those who wish to enjoy a simple, rustic and gourmet crop in the garden! 🍓