Can strawberries grow in the USA.? From what I could tell, it’s possible to cultivate strawberries in the U.S.Â
Most of the United States strawberries come from California, accounting for almost 91% of the overall harvest.
At the same time, Florida is second (N.A.S.S., 2021). The majority of the nation’s winter strawberry supply comes from Florida.
The amount of strawberries consumed per person in the United States has increased over the past 20 years.
However, it has decreased by 1% from the year before. There are several causes for this.
Aside from those who are allergic, who doesn’t like a good, juicy, sweet strawberry in the summer? A few states in the U.S. rule the strawberry world if you enjoy this delectable berry.
While some have distinct growth seasons, others provide fruit continuously throughout the year.
You may get locally grown strawberries at your farmer’s market or farm stand if you are fortunate enough to reside in one of these states.
Thankfully, many of the biggest strawberry growers export their products nationwide to supermarkets and other retailers.
As you continue reading, you may savor a delicious strawberry cultivated in the United States from one of the states I’ve listed below.
ALSO READ – Which Strawberry Brands Have Hepatitis
Now, let’s get started.
Are Strawberries Grown In The US
With an annual strawberry production of 1.39 million tons in 2022, the United States is one of the leaders of the global strawberry market, accounting for about 15 percent of the world’s total production.
Favorable climate conditions make the state of California the largest producer of strawberries in the United States.
In 2022, 24.8 million hundred-weight strawberries were produced in California, considerably more than the second-ranked, Florida, with about three million hundred-weight strawberries.
California produces 90% of fresh strawberries in the U.S., followed by Florida (8%), New York, North Carolina, Oregon, and Washington.
New cultivars have extended strawberry season in California and Florida. California strawberries are harvested year-round, peaking in spring and fall.
California output grew from July to October with higher-yielding cultivars on less land, and 2019 shipments were 220 percent greater than in 2000.
Strawberry season in Florida starts in December. It runs through March; however, one early-yielding variety starts the Florida strawberry season in November with tiny amounts.
What Is The State In Us That Grows The Most Strawberries
Although it has a shorter growing season than California, Florida is nonetheless a producer of strawberries.
Florida’s strawberry growing season runs from November to April. However, Florida generates just 8% of the nation’s total strawberry production, with California producing 90%.
Therefore, it’s more probable that the strawberries you purchase from the grocery shop in the United States are from the West Coast than the East.
When it comes to strawberry output, California leads by a wide margin. But if California’s unusual weather restricts the amount of berries cultivated throughout the season, it offers a vital backup.
Approximately 8% of the strawberries cultivated nationwide are produced in Florida. While California can grow year-round, they are mainly typically cultivated in the winter.
Compared to California, Florida has a far shorter growing season. In addition to abundant sunshine, the Sunshine State’s summertime heat and humidity challenge strawberries.
The months with the highest output are December through March. During certain months, strawberries planted in Florida outweigh those grown in California. There’s a strong probability that your wintertime strawberries originated in Florida.
ALSO READ – Why Do Strawberries Send Out Runners
What Country Do Strawberries Grow Best
Growers are boosting the output of strawberries to satisfy rising consumer demand since they are a profitable crop in Latin America and the United States.
Along with nations like China, Mexico, and Spain, the United States is one of the major producers of strawberries worldwide.
China is the world’s biggest producer of strawberries, producing far more than any other nation.
Even though it is not the world’s most significant producer, the U.S. still contributes significantly to the global strawberry industry by exporting strawberries and goods made from strawberries to many other nations.
In the U.S., California is the top producer of strawberries, followed by Florida and North Carolina. These areas have abundant production due to the year-round growth conditions provided by the climate.
In Latin America, Mexico is the leading producer of strawberries, with Brazil, Peru, and Colombia following closely behind.
Because of their inexpensive land and low labor expenses, these nations enjoy an edge in production costs.
Where Does The U.S. Import Strawberries From
In 2022, domestic strawberry production made up 78.0% of the U.S. market. Despite this, the nation imports a lot of strawberries, mainly from Mexico.
Mexico increases its export volume, primarily focused from December to May, to fulfill consumer demand during the low season for U.S. domestic production, which spans from April to June.
The top three countries in the world for strawberry production are China, the U.S., and Egypt, reflecting the growing demand for strawberries throughout the globe.
China produced 3,336,690 tons of strawberries last year. China has been the world leader in strawberry production since 1994. 2023.
The United States produced 1,055,963 tons of strawberries, ranking second. Egypt produced 597,029 and 557,514 tons of strawberries, respectively, barely ahead of Mexico for third place.
This year, Turkey has made 546,525 tons of strawberries, a close second. Following in order of production, and producing between 272,550 and 166,955 tons of strawberries, are Brazil, Spain, Russia, Poland, and Morocco.
ALSO READ – Strawberry Vs Blueberry
When Are Strawberries In Season
If you’re excited about spring strawberries, you’re in luck. Apart from rhubarb, strawberries mature first in spring and summer.
The season for strawberries varies throughout the South and the growth zones designated by the U.S.D.A.
In Florida, strawberry season can begin as early as the end of February. Deep South communities will trail suit, with the best berry seasons occurring in Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi in late April and early May.
In the central South, states like Tennessee, Arkansas, and North Carolina, berries could only mature in late May or early June.
The strawberry season in the mid-Atlantic and mountainous cooler zones heralds the arrival of summer. There, strawberries mature in June.
Specific strawberry cultivars will provide more berries in the autumn. Cultivating Zones 6 to 8 in the upper and middle Southern states are ideal for cultivating these ever bearing strawberry cultivars.
These berries like warm days and mild nights, and most warmer growth zones (8 to 11) are too warm for them.
You’re more likely to locate June-bearing strawberries across the South, and they taste sweeter, so even if you miss the second fruiting, you’ll still get unique berries in the height of springtime.
How Do You Start Strawberry Farming In The U.S.A.
Strawberries bloom and give fruit. Pollination occurs in each flower’s golden center. After pollination, the flower petals fall off, and the yellow core grows into a strawberry.
If you’re lucky, each strawberry branch (or “flower truss”) bears three to eight blossoms.
Farmers will select the king fruit first since it grew earliest—the most giant berry. Ontario residents say strawberry sizes vary.
These strawberries grow, unlike imported ones. They focus on the first fruit (the king berry) so that the strawberry will be the biggest, but the berries become smaller as the season progresses.
As pickers move through, they package strawberries by size.
Here are the publication’s most critical elements to help you grow strawberries successfully.
1. Buy Strawberry Plants
Dormant crowns and established strawberry plants exist. Dormant crowns, sometimes termed bareroot, are available in late winter and early spring before the plants emerge. Because they have dirt stripped from their roots, they are named.
If you can’t plant bare-root strawberries right away, follow their storage instructions. Healthy dormant crowns can be refrigerated for a month before planting. Your latent crowns sprout after planting.
In April, garden centers sell potted strawberries. These actively developing plants can be planted in the ground or strawberry pots.
2. Site Choice
Strawberries grow on many soils. Select a sunny, well-drained, and irrigation-accessible location. The site slope should not exceed 12%. Define “well-drained” as soil profile drainage. Sloped land may not drain well.
Fall testing should determine soil pH of 6.0 to 6.5 before planting. Avoid undisturbed sod because root-feeding grubs might destroy strawberry roots.
Strawberry plants shouldn’t follow Verticillium-prone peppers, eggplant, potatoes, or tomatoes.
The soil used to cultivate these crops should be fumigated or planted with a non-Verticillium-susceptible cover crop for five to eight years.
Before planting strawberry beds, cover the crop with rye or sudangrass for at least a year to suppress weeds. Plowed cover crops contribute organic matter to heavy soils.
This brief paper does not mention fertilizer requirements, which vary by soil type, region, and production system.
3. Strawberry Soil Preparation
Before planting strawberries, add a 2- to 3-inch layer of compost into the soil. Strawberries are robust feeders.
Use Pennington UltraGreen All Purpose Plant Food 10-10-10 to fertilize the soil. This plant food balances necessary nutrients for more excellent blooms and strawberries.
Strawberry pots should have drainage holes. Use a container-specific, well-draining commercial potting mix. Perlite or pumice in these mixtures assists in draining water and avoiding soil saturation.
4. Strawberry Pest and Disease Management
Strawberries are susceptible to pests and illnesses. Snails, slugs, and other pests love strawberries.
Strawberry plants also contract fungal infections. Care can prevent these problems. Make sure strawberries get enough sun. Water early in the day to avoid overwatering, which can keep leaves damp.
5. Enjoying Strawberry Harvest
Strawberry harvesting occurs three to five weeks after blooming. They ripen faster in sunny, warm weather. When strawberries are brilliant red without green or white spots, pluck them while they’re still on the vine.
Early morning or late afternoon harvests are preferred since berries are cold and less likely to bruise. Pinch or clip the fruit from the vine, leaving a short stem, to keep it fresh.
Eat strawberries shortly after harvest since they only survive a few days at room temperature and a week in the fridge.
Strawberry gardening is pleasant and gratifying. GardenTech products can help you create a bumper harvest and enjoy healthy, tasty strawberries with friends and family all season.
ALSO READ – How Much Water Do Alpine Strawberries Need
Final Thought
Now that we have established Can strawberries grow in the USA, however no matter where you live, the strawberry season will always change, but one thing is sure: these berries give any dish a hint of sweetness.
Try some strawberry jam on a slice of toast, whip yourself some strawberry pancakes, or relax with a fruit salad. Choose ripe berries for anything you decide to cook during berry season.
The Mid-Atlantic Berry Guide for Commercial Growers has more strawberry budgets. Budgeting for Agricultural Decision-Making further details how crop budgeting is used in farm management decision-making.