Junebearing versus Everbearing Strawberries

• May 23, 2023
• by Rebecca Auchter

Everbearing and Junebearing strawberries are two different types of strawberry plants that produce fruit at different times throughout the growing season, and we have both in our greenhouse right now!

Everbearing strawberries have the ability to bear fruit continuously throughout the growing season. Typically, they produce a large crop in late spring or early summer and then smaller crops throughout the season until about September.

Junebearing strawberries, also known as traditional or short-day strawberries, produce a concentrated crop of strawberries in late spring or early summer, typically during the month of June. They tend to have a shorter fruiting period compared to everbearing strawberries.

Everbearing Strawberries are often smaller in size but are known for their intense flavor. Junebearing strawberries, on the other hand, are usually larger in size and have a robust flavor.

Many gardeners who intend to make preserves, jams or jellies, prefer the Junebearing variety because of the large quantity of berries produced in a short time span. Either way, strawberries are a great use of garden space and do very well in amended native soil or a raised bed.

The most common question we get in the Garden Center is whether to expect berries the first year after transplant. The short answer is that your strawberry plant, whichever variety, will typically require a period of establishment before they start producing fruit. Here's what you can expect:

Junebearing strawberry plants, if transplanted in early spring, usually focus on establishing their root systems and producing runners (long stems that produce new plants). In their first year, they often prioritize vegetative growth rather than fruit production. This means they might not produce a significant crop until the following year. It's common to remove the flower buds during the first year to allow the plant to channel its energy into root and runner development.

Everbearing strawberries tend to produce fruit in their first year after transplanting, although the initial harvest might be smaller compared to subsequent years. However, the exact timing and quantity of fruit can vary depending on the specific variety and growing conditions.

Regardless of the variety you choose, providing optimal growing conditions, proper watering, adequate sunlight, and nutrient-rich soil will help ensure the best chances of fruit production in the first year and beyond.