Strawberry Varieties for Cold Climates: June-Bearing vs Day-Neutral

Fresh strawberries are worth the space in any northern garden, but not every variety survives a prairie winter or ripens in a short summer. Choosing a proven hardy type, and knowing the difference between June-bearing and day-neutral plants, makes all the difference.

The short answer

• June-bearing strawberries give one big crop in early summer. Day-neutral types produce smaller crops from midsummer until frost.
• For winter hardiness in cold regions, Manitoba Agriculture highlights Sable (early) and Kent (mid-season) among June-bearers, and Fern and Seascape among day-neutrals.
• Mix early, mid and late varieties to stretch the harvest.
• Test a few plants of any new variety before planting a big bed.

June-bearing vs day-neutral

	June-bearing	Day-neutral (often sold as everbearing)
Harvest	One large crop over 2 to 3 weeks in early summer	Smaller flushes from midsummer until frost
Best for	Jam, freezing, big harvests	Fresh eating over a long season, containers
Runners	Many; fill in a matted row	Fewer

In a short-season garden, June-bearers give the most fruit for the space, while day-neutrals spread the harvest out and fit containers well. Many gardeners grow some of each.

Varieties for cold climates

From Manitoba Agriculture’s strawberry cultivar list:

Variety	Type	Season	Notes
Sable	June-bearing	Early	Winter hardy
Kent	June-bearing	Mid	Noted for winter hardiness in parts of the Prairies
Honeoye, Annapolis, Veestar, Cavendish	June-bearing	Early to mid	Widely grown in Manitoba
Mira, Sapphire	June-bearing	Mid to late	Sapphire has moderate leaf disease resistance
Jewel, Cabot, Serenity	June-bearing	Late	Extend the harvest
Fern	Day-neutral	Midsummer to frost	Good hardiness; older variety, harder to find
Seascape	Day-neutral	Midsummer to frost	Good hardiness; prone to mildew

Planting

• Plant in spring as soon as the soil can be worked, in full sun and well-drained soil.
• Set the crown, where leaves meet roots, exactly at soil level. Too deep and it rots; too shallow and the roots dry out.
• June-bearers are usually spaced to fill in a matted row with their runners; day-neutrals can be planted closer in beds or containers.
• Keep beds weeded and evenly watered, especially while fruit is forming.

Many growers pinch off the first flowers on new June-bearing plants so they put their energy into roots and runners, which means a much bigger crop the following year.

Winter protection

Strawberry crowns are shallow and can be killed by cold when there is no snow. In late fall, after plants go dormant and the soil starts to freeze, cover beds with a loose layer of clean straw. Pull most of it back in spring when growth begins, leaving some between rows to keep berries off the soil. Keep a little handy to cover blossoms if a late frost is forecast.

Harvest

Pick fully red berries every day or two, in the cool of the morning. Refrigerate right away, and wash them only just before eating.

Keep reading

• Growing raspberries in cold climates
• Growing haskap berries
• Growing rhubarb

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between June-bearing and day-neutral strawberries?

June-bearing plants give one large crop over two to three weeks in early summer. Day-neutral plants produce smaller crops from midsummer until frost.

Which strawberries are hardiest for the Prairies?

Manitoba Agriculture notes Sable and Kent for winter hardiness among June-bearers, and Fern and Seascape among day-neutral types.

Do strawberries need winter protection?

In cold climates, yes. Cover beds with loose straw once plants are dormant and the soil starts to freeze, and pull it back in spring.

How deep should strawberries be planted?

Set the crown exactly at soil level. Too deep and it rots; too shallow and the roots dry out.

Sources

• Manitoba Agriculture – Strawberry cultivars