If you’re looking for a reliable and productive strawberry variety for your home garden, the ‘Allstar’ strawberry is a great choice. Known for its disease resistance and abundant harvests, it’s a favorite among both beginner and experienced gardeners.
This article is your comprehensive guide to planting, growing, and caring for ‘Allstar’ strawberries. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know to successfully cultivate these delicious berries in your own backyard.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
- An overview of the ‘Allstar’ variety and its key features
- Step-by-step instructions for planting and ongoing care
- How to identify and address common problems
- Helpful tips and tricks for maximizing your harvest
Understanding ‘Allstar’ Strawberries
If you’re thinking about adding some strawberries to your garden, you might want to consider ‘Allstar’ strawberries.
What are ‘Allstar’ Strawberries?
‘Allstar’ strawberries are a June-bearing variety, meaning they produce one big crop of berries in the late spring or early summer. The good news is that this variety is highly resistant to verticillium wilt, leaf scorch, powdery mildew, and red stele, and it can even tolerate botrytis rot.
The fruit itself is glossy, sweet, and large.
Plant Characteristics
‘Allstar’ strawberry plants are cold hardy and self-pollinating, which is good news for gardeners in cooler climates. The plants bear white blooms that eventually give way to bright red fruit.
These plants are hardy in USDA zones 4 through 8, which covers a good portion of the United States.
Planting ‘Allstar’ Strawberries
Okay, so you’ve got your ‘Allstar’ strawberry plants. Now what? Here’s how to get those berries growing.
Site Selection and Preparation
First, think about where you’re going to plant them. Here’s what ‘Allstar’ strawberries need to thrive:
- Sunlight: These plants are sun-worshippers! They need a good six to ten hours of direct sunlight every day. So, pick a spot that gets plenty of rays.
- Soil: ‘Allstars’ like their soil consistently moist but not soggy. Good drainage is key. Loamy soil is the dream, and they prefer a slightly acidic pH of 5.5 to 6.5. Mix in some compost to boost drainage and give them a little extra love.
- Timing: You can pretty much plant these as soon as they arrive.
Planting Methods
You’ve got a few choices when it comes to planting:
- Bare Roots: Planting bare roots is a great way to go. When your bare-root plants arrive, soak the roots in water for a few hours before planting. Dig a hole that’s wide enough to spread out the roots, and make sure the crown of the plant (where the roots meet the stems) is right at soil level – not buried too deep or sticking up too high.
- Plugs and Plants: If you’re transplanting plugs or plants, the process is similar. Just dig a hole big enough for the root ball, and again, make sure the crown is at soil level.
- Starting from Seed: It’s possible to start ‘Allstar’ strawberries from seed, but honestly, it’s a bit of a pain. It takes longer, and the plants might not be true to type. If you’re feeling adventurous, go for it, but bare roots or plugs are generally easier.
Spacing
Give those ‘Allstars’ some room to breathe! Space them about 12 to 24 inches apart. This gives them enough space to grow and allows for those runners (the little offshoots that create new plants) to spread out.
How to care for ‘Allstar’ strawberries
Once you’ve planted your ‘Allstar’ strawberry plants, you can look forward to years of tasty harvests, as long as you provide the right care. Here are some tips on how to keep your plants healthy and productive:
Watering
Strawberries need consistent watering, so give your plants at least an inch of water every week. Be careful not to overwater, which can cause the roots to rot.
Mulching
A good layer of mulch around your strawberry plants will keep weeds down and help the soil retain moisture. However, in the summer, it’s a good idea to remove the mulch so the soil can breathe. Consider using straw, pine needles, or shredded leaves as mulch.
Fertilizing
To know exactly how much to fertilize, it’s best to test your soil. Your local agricultural extension office can help you with this. Be careful not to overfertilize, as this can damage your plants.
Pruning
For the first few years, you’ll want to remove any runners that form. This will encourage the plants to put their energy into growing stronger and producing more fruit. After the first few years, you can let the runners grow if you want to propagate new plants.
Harvesting
Pick your strawberries frequently, ideally in the early morning or evening. Regular harvesting will prevent the berries from spoiling and attracting pests. If you have a big crop, you can freeze some of the berries or make preserves.
Common Problems and Solutions
Even the hardiest strawberry plants can experience problems. Here’s what to watch out for with your Allstar strawberries:
Pests
Keep a close eye on your plants and regularly check for pests. Netting can help keep some pests away.
Some of the most common strawberry pests include:
- Slugs
- Rabbits
- Birds
- Thrips
- Aphids
- Spotted-wing drosophila (SWD)
- Nematodes
- Weevils
- Deer
Depending on the pest, you may be able to control them with organic methods. For example, you can hand-pick slugs off your plants or use netting to keep birds and rabbits away. For infestations of aphids or thrips, insecticidal soap or neem oil might help.
Diseases
One of the great things about ‘Allstar’ strawberries is that they’re resistant to a lot of common strawberry diseases. However, they’re still vulnerable to a few, including:
- Gray mold
- Crown rot
- Root rot
- Leaf blight
- Verticillium wilt
Preventative measures, such as ensuring good air circulation and avoiding overwatering, can help. If you spot signs of disease, remove the affected leaves or plants and consider using a fungicide labeled for use on strawberries.
Other Problems
Here are a few other things to watch out for:
- Overwatering: This is a biggie, as it can lead to root rot. Make sure your plants have good drainage and don’t overwater them.
- Overfertilization: Too much fertilizer can damage your plants. Follow the instructions on the fertilizer label carefully.
- Sudden collapse or death: If a plant suddenly collapses or dies, investigate the roots for signs of disease or damage.
How to propagate ‘Allstar’ strawberries
There are a few different ways to propagate or grow new ‘Allstar’ strawberry plants.
Runners
Like other types of strawberries, ‘Allstar’ sends out runners (also called stolons) that you can use to grow new plants. These runners will sprout roots if you give them the chance.
To propagate ‘Allstar’ strawberries using runners, simply pin the runner to the soil near the mother plant and wait for roots to form. Once the roots are established, you can cut the runner from the mother plant and transplant it to a new location.
Other methods
You can also propagate ‘Allstar’ strawberries using bare roots, plugs, or seeds, although these methods may be a bit more challenging than using runners.
Putting It All Together
If you’re looking for a reliable, productive, and disease-resistant strawberry to grow in your garden, it’s hard to go wrong with ‘Allstar.’
To get the most from your plants, be sure to give them plenty of sun and well-draining soil. Plant them carefully, and keep an eye out for pests and diseases. With proper watering, fertilizing, and pruning, you can encourage abundant yields.
Consider using row covers or netting to protect your ripening berries from birds and other critters. And don’t forget to rotate your strawberry plants every few years to keep the soil healthy and prevent disease buildup.
With a little planning and effort, you’ll be rewarded with a bountiful harvest of juicy, flavorful ‘Allstar’ strawberries that you can enjoy fresh, freeze for later, or use in all your favorite recipes.
So, why not give ‘Allstar’ strawberries a try? You might be surprised at how easy and rewarding it is to grow your own delicious berries.
And if your ‘Allstar’ strawberry plant doesn’t survive, remember that Stark Bro’s offers a one-year replacement guarantee. So, you can plant with confidence, knowing that you’re backed by a company that stands behind its products.