Overview

Bring the joy of fresh, homegrown fruit to your garden with our Cardinal Strawberry bare roots. This offering includes 10 vigorous bare roots of the popular Fragaria x ananassa ‘Cardinal’ variety, renowned for its delectable, June-bearing fruit. As a classic June-bearing type, this strawberry plant produces a single, generous crop over a concentrated 4-5 week period, typically occurring in late spring to early summer. Developed in 1974, the ‘Cardinal’ strawberry is particularly well-suited for regions with humid summers, making it an excellent choice for gardeners in the Southern United States and the Ohio River Valley. Its robust nature and prolific runner production make it highly adaptable to various gardening techniques, including the efficient matted row growing system. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting, these Fragaria x ananassa Cardinal plants promise a rewarding harvest of sweet berries.

The Cardinal Strawberry bare roots are an economical and effective way to establish a new strawberry patch. Bare roots are dormant plants, meaning they are shipped without soil, making them easy to plant and quick to establish once conditions are favorable. These plants are known for their strong, upright growth habit and their ability to spread readily, ensuring a full and productive bed. They can also be successfully grown in containers, though this method may require more frequent watering to maintain optimal moisture levels. With proper care, these plants will flourish, providing you with an abundance of juicy red berries for years to come. Consider adding these resilient and flavorful strawberry plants to your edible garden.

Key Benefits

The ‘Cardinal’ strawberry offers numerous advantages for the home gardener, combining ease of growth with a delicious yield. These Cardinal Strawberry bare roots are an excellent investment for anyone looking to enjoy fresh fruit from their own backyard. Here are some of the key benefits:

• Abundant June Harvest: As a June-bearing variety, you can expect a large and concentrated crop of sweet, flavorful strawberries over a 4-5 week period in late spring to early summer, perfect for fresh eating, jams, and preserves.
• Vigorous Growth & Spreading: The ‘Cardinal’ strawberry is known for its strong, upright growth and tendency to produce runners freely, quickly filling out your garden beds or containers for a lush appearance and increased yields.
• Adaptable to Various Climates: This variety shows good tolerance for humid summers, making it particularly well-suited for warmer regions like the Southern United States and the Ohio River Valley, providing a reliable harvest where other varieties might struggle.
• Versatile Growing Options: These strawberry plants for zones 4-8 can be grown in traditional matted rows, raised beds, or even containers, offering flexibility to gardeners with different space and gardening preferences.
• Disease Resistance: The ‘Cardinal’ variety is generally robust and resilient, contributing to healthier plants and more consistent fruit production with less intervention.
• Excellent Flavor Profile: Enjoy the classic, sweet, and juicy taste of freshly picked strawberries, a flavor far superior to store-bought varieties.
• Easy to Establish: Planting Cardinal Strawberry bare roots is a straightforward process, allowing new plants to quickly take root and begin growing once established in your garden.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Successfully growing Cardinal Strawberry bare roots requires attention to a few key environmental factors and regular maintenance. These plants thrive in full sun, meaning they need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day to produce the sweetest and most abundant fruit. When selecting a planting site, ensure it receives ample light throughout the growing season. For soil, ‘Cardinal’ strawberries prefer well-draining, fertile soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-6.8). Incorporating organic matter, such as compost, before planting will significantly improve soil structure, fertility, and drainage. Avoid heavy clay soils that retain too much water, as this can lead to root rot. If growing in containers, use a high-quality potting mix specifically formulated for fruits or vegetables.

Watering is crucial, especially during establishment and fruit development. Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. Strawberries have shallow root systems, so they are susceptible to drying out quickly. Aim for about 1 inch of water per week, either from rainfall or irrigation. During hot, dry periods, you may need to water more frequently. Fertilize your June-bearing strawberry plant in early spring before flowering begins and again after the harvest. Use a balanced slow-release fertilizer or one formulated for berries. Pruning involves removing old leaves, runners (unless you are using a matted row system), and any diseased or damaged foliage to encourage air circulation and plant vigor. In colder regions (USDA zones 4-5), provide winter protection with a layer of straw or pine needles after the first hard frost to insulate the plants. This helps ensure the survival of your growing Cardinal strawberries through the winter.

Common issues include slugs, birds, and fungal diseases. Implement preventative measures like netting to protect ripening fruit from birds and organic slug baits if necessary. Ensure good air circulation to minimize fungal problems. Proper spacing and timely weeding will also contribute to healthy plants and a successful harvest of your Fragaria x ananassa Cardinal.

Size & Details

This product includes 10 Cardinal Strawberry bare roots, ready for planting. Each bare root is a dormant plant, typically consisting of a crown, a small amount of root structure, and no foliage. This form allows for easy shipping and planting, as the plants will emerge from dormancy once placed in favorable growing conditions. When mature, ‘Cardinal’ strawberry plants typically reach a height of 6-8 inches and can spread up to 12-18 inches wide, especially when allowed to produce runners. These plants are vigorous growers, and with optimal conditions, they will quickly establish and fill their designated space. The ‘Cardinal’ variety is a June-bearing type, meaning it produces its main crop of fruit over a 4-5 week period, usually in late spring to early summer, depending on your local climate. The fruit itself is medium to large in size, with a classic conical shape and a vibrant red color, offering a sweet and juicy flavor profile. Expect your first significant harvest in the season following planting, with increasing yields in subsequent years as the patch matures.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big do these Cardinal Strawberry bare roots get when mature? A: When mature, Cardinal Strawberry bare roots grow into plants typically reaching 6-8 inches in height and spreading 12-18 inches wide. They are vigorous and will produce runners to expand their patch.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The ‘Cardinal’ strawberry is primarily an outdoor plant, best suited for garden beds, raised beds, or large outdoor containers. While it can be grown in containers, it requires outdoor conditions for optimal fruit production.
• Q: How much sunlight does the Fragaria x ananassa Cardinal need? A: For the best fruit production, Fragaria x ananassa Cardinal plants require full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? Is it good for beginners? A: Yes, growing Cardinal strawberries is relatively easy and they are a good choice for beginners. With proper soil, sunlight, and watering, they are quite resilient and rewarding to grow.
• Q: What condition will the bare roots arrive in? A: The Cardinal Strawberry bare roots will arrive dormant, without soil or foliage. They will have a healthy crown and root system, ready for planting upon arrival.
• Q: When is the best time to plant these June-bearing strawberry plants? A: The best time to plant these June-bearing strawberry plant bare roots is in early spring after the danger of hard frost has passed, allowing them ample time to establish before the summer heat.
• Q: Will these strawberry plants survive winter in my zone? A: These strawberry plants for zones 4-8 are hardy. If you are in zones 4-5, it’s recommended to provide winter protection with a layer of straw or mulch after the first hard frost to ensure their survival.
• Q: How long until I get fruit from these bare roots? A: You can expect your first significant harvest of fruit from your Cardinal Strawberry bare roots in the season following their planting. Yields will increase as the plants mature in subsequent years.
• Q: Can I grow Cardinal Strawberries in pots? A: Yes, Cardinal Strawberry bare roots can be grown in containers, but they will require more frequent watering than those grown directly in the ground due to faster soil drying in pots.
• Q: What kind of soil is best for growing Cardinal Strawberries? A: Cardinal Strawberries prefer well-draining, fertile soil that is slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0-6.8). Amending the soil with organic matter like compost is beneficial for optimal growth.