Overview

Bring the joy of homegrown fruit to your garden with Jewel Junebearing strawberry plants. These exceptional bare root plants are a non-GMO, heirloom variety, celebrated for their vigorous growth and abundant production of high-quality berries. Developed at Cornell University, the ‘Jewel’ strawberry has become a standard for mid-season fruiting due to its outstanding characteristics. Each plant you receive is a live seedling, ready to be established in your garden, promising a bountiful harvest of sweet, attractive, and bruise-resistant fruit. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting, growing your own Jewel Junebearing strawberry plants offers a rewarding experience and delicious results.

These heirloom strawberry plants are an excellent choice for anyone seeking reliable performance and superior taste. The ‘Jewel’ variety is known for producing glossy, firm berries that are not only beautiful but also incredibly flavorful. They are perfect for eating fresh, right off the plant, but their robust nature also makes them ideal for canning, preserving, and freezing, allowing you to enjoy your harvest throughout the year. With strong, disease-resistant plants and heavy fruit production, you’ll find these strawberries to be a valuable addition to your edible landscape.

Key Benefits

Investing in Jewel Junebearing strawberry plants brings numerous advantages to your garden and kitchen. You’ll enjoy a consistent supply of fresh, flavorful berries with minimal fuss. Here are some of the key benefits:

• Superior Berry Quality: These plants produce large, sweet, and glossy berries that are highly attractive and bruise-resistant. This makes them excellent for both fresh consumption and culinary applications, ensuring a delightful eating experience every time.
• Non-GMO Heirloom Variety: Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with growing non-GMO, heirloom plants. These strawberries uphold their natural characteristics and flavor profiles, passed down through generations.
• Vigorous & Disease-Resistant: The ‘Jewel’ variety is known for its strong, healthy growth and natural resistance to common strawberry diseases, reducing the need for intensive care and ensuring a healthier crop.
• Heavy Fruit Production: Expect an abundant harvest from your Jewel Junebearing strawberry plants. They are known for their heavy fruit set, providing plenty of berries for your family and perhaps even some to share.
• Versatile Culinary Use: These strawberries are incredibly versatile. They are perfect for eating fresh, making jams and jellies, baking into pies, or freezing for later use, making them a staple for any home cook.
• Ideal Garden Standard: Recognized as the standard for mid-season strawberries, the ‘Jewel’ variety offers consistent performance and high quality, making it a reliable choice for any gardener.
• Adaptable to Various Climates: Thriving in USDA zones 4-8, these plants are well-suited for a wide range of climates across the United States, making them accessible to many home gardeners.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

To ensure your Jewel Junebearing strawberry plants thrive and produce a generous harvest, proper care is essential. Strawberries prefer a location that receives full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Choose a site with good air circulation to help prevent fungal diseases. Prepare your soil by amending it with plenty of organic matter to create a rich, well-draining environment. A slightly acidic soil pH between 6.0 and 6.5 is ideal for optimal growth and fruit production. When planting, ensure the crown of the bare root plant is level with the soil surface, with the roots spread out beneath.

Consistent watering is crucial, especially during dry spells and when the plants are fruiting. Aim for about 1-1.5 inches of water per week, either from rain or irrigation. Avoid overhead watering if possible, as this can encourage leaf diseases; instead, water at the base of the plants. Fertilize your heirloom strawberry plants in early spring with a balanced fertilizer, and again after the main harvest to encourage runner production and prepare for the next season. Mulching around the plants with straw can help retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and keep berries clean. For gardeners wondering how to grow Jewel strawberries successfully, monitoring for pests like slugs and birds, and taking appropriate measures, will also be beneficial.

These disease-resistant strawberry plants are generally hardy in USDA zones 4-8. In colder zones, adequate winter protection, such as a thick layer of straw mulch, is recommended to protect the crowns from freezing temperatures. Remove any runners that form in the first year to encourage the plant to put its energy into root development and fruit production in subsequent years. By following these care tips, your disease-resistant strawberry plants will reward you with abundant, delicious fruit for years to come.

Size & Details

Our Jewel Junebearing strawberry plants are shipped as dormant bare root plants, ready for spring planting. This means they arrive without soil, allowing for easy handling and planting. The specific quantity of plants you receive will vary, ranging from 25 to 200 dormant bare roots, depending on your selection. Once established, these vigorous plants will spread by runners, forming a productive patch. Each plant is expected to grow to a height of approximately 8-12 inches with a similar spread, creating a dense ground cover during the growing season.

As a mid-season variety, ‘Jewel’ strawberries typically begin fruiting in late spring to early summer, offering a concentrated harvest period. These plants are known for their heavy fruit production, yielding a significant amount of berries per plant. They are ideal for growing in garden beds, raised beds, or even large containers. The mature berries are large, firm, and bright red, making them excellent for both fresh eating and various preservation methods. You’ll receive a planting guide to help you successfully establish your new non-GMO bare root strawberries and enjoy their delicious fruit for many seasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How large will these Jewel Junebearing strawberry plants get? A: Once mature, each plant typically reaches about 8-12 inches in height and spreads a similar distance. They will also send out runners to establish new plants, eventually forming a larger patch.
• Q: What condition will the plants arrive in? A: Your Jewel Junebearing strawberry plants will arrive as dormant bare root plants. This is the ideal state for planting in early spring, as it minimizes transplant shock and allows them to establish strong root systems.
• Q: Are these strawberries suitable for beginners? A: Yes, ‘Jewel’ strawberries are quite robust and relatively easy to care for, making them an excellent choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. Following the included planting guide will ensure a successful start.
• Q: How much sun do these heirloom strawberry plants need? A: These plants require full sun, which means at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day, for optimal growth and fruit production. Choosing a sunny location is crucial for a bountiful harvest.
• Q: When is the best time to plant Jewel strawberries? A: The ideal time to plant these bare root strawberries is in the spring, once the danger of hard frost has passed and the soil can be worked. This allows them to establish before the summer heat.
• Q: Can I grow these disease-resistant strawberry plants in containers? A: Yes, Jewel Junebearing strawberry plants can be successfully grown in large containers or strawberry pots, provided they have adequate drainage and receive sufficient sunlight and water.
• Q: What are the best uses for Jewel strawberries? A: Jewel strawberries are celebrated for their versatility. They are excellent for fresh eating, making jams, jellies, and desserts, and they also freeze exceptionally well for long-term storage.
• Q: Will these non-GMO bare root strawberries produce fruit in the first year? A: While they may produce some fruit in their first year, it’s often recommended to remove the first year’s flowers to encourage stronger root development, leading to a much larger harvest in subsequent years.
• Q: What USDA zones are ideal for these plants? A: Jewel Junebearing strawberry plants are ideal for growing in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 8, making them adaptable to a wide range of temperate climates.
• Q: How do I protect my plants over winter? A: In colder zones (4-6), applying a thick layer of straw mulch over your strawberry patch after the ground freezes in late fall will help protect the crowns from winter damage. Remove the mulch in early spring.