How to Plant Alpines

Overview

Alpines are open-pollinated (OP) strawberry plants that will reproduce true to seed in all of their offspring. The true beauty of OP varieties is that you can collect the seeds from their fruits and grow them with the confidence of knowing exactly what you'll be getting in your new plants. And even better: they'll remain unchanged for future generations. Alpines don't send out runners, so they stay right where you want them, making them great ornamental specimens. These plants are easy to grow and very tough--winter hardy to temperatures as cold as -15 to -30 degrees F, USDA Zones 5-10. Don't let anybody try to tell you that Alpines or any other non-hybridized strawberries don't taste as good as commercial varieties. They're significantly smaller, but sweeter and tastier than berries grown with only shipping quality and physical appearance in mind. Start by purchasing a few young 4-inch Alpine plants from a reputable grower. If they're not available in nurseries in your area, look in mail order catalogs or even online.

Step 1

Choose a well-draining spot in full or dappled sun after all danger of frost has passed. Note that this should be a location where you've never grown eggplants, potatoes, peppers or tomatoes before. These plants can leave behind Verticillium fungus, a wilt that is detrimental to strawberries. Keep in mind that if you have frequent visits from browsing deer or rabbits who love these plants, you must take appropriate steps to protect them.

Step 2

Dig a shallow hole wide enough to accommodate the Alpine's root system. Spread the roots out in the hole and gently firm soil around them. The crown, or point where the roots meet the stem, should be positioned level with the surface of the soil. Plant your Alpines 10-12 inches apart. You can expect them to fruit their first year, and for 2-3 more years after that.

Step 3

Water the Alpines so that they're uniformly moist, but not wet or dripping. Thereafter, continue to provide your Alpine strawberries with 1-2 inches of water each week throughout the growing season. Try not to water during evening hours to discourage fungus and disease. Always keep these plants evenly moist. Don't allow your Alpines to dry out, but they shouldn't be allowed to stand in water, either.

Step 4

Apply a 2-inch deep layer of organic mulch to keep the Alpine's roots cool, help retain necessary moisture and discourage weeds. This will also keep the plant's fruit from coming into contact with soil, which will cause it to rot.

Step 5

Feed Alpine strawberry plants a liquid kelp or slow-release organic fertilizer per the manufacturer's instructions when they begin to set their fruit. Fertilize every spring and then again in late June beginning the following year.

Step 6

Collect Alpine strawberries as soon as they ripen to encourage continued fruit production all summer and into early fall. Pick them gently because they're fragile and will bruise easily. Float them and gently roll them in a bowl of ice water to clean them. Any dirt adhering to the alpine berries will drop to the bottom. Remember that all strawberries have a very short "shelf life," so use them as quickly as possible for best results. You'll get about 1 cup of berries 2-3 times weekly from just 7-8 mature Alpine plants.

Step 7

Leave some of the berries on the Alpine plants near the end of the season, if you would like to grow more plants from their seeds. Allow the fruits to mature on the plants to the point of being overripe before picking them for seed harvesting.

Step 8

Prepare your Alpines for winter just as you would any other hardy perennials in your region. They'll do just fine in cold, snowy conditions. Mulch them 4-6 inches deep with straw or leaves. Snowfall will add even more insulation. You can remove the mulch next spring after all danger of frost has passed.