Hi everyone! I just moved to Martha's Vineyard, which is in zone 7A, and I'm looking for some advice on how to plant my 25 bare root Albion strawberry plants. I need to soak them first, but I've heard conflicting advice. Some people say to plant them directly into the ground (which I can do tomorrow) since I don't have issues with salt or heavy winds in my yard. Others recommend starting them indoors for a couple of weeks to give them a warm environment before planting. It's currently over 40°F during the day here and quite sunny. What do you all think is the best method? Should I plant them tomorrow or start them indoors? Thanks in advance!
3 Answers
I don’t see any benefit in keeping them indoors just to break dormancy—it could mess with their roots come transplanting time. Just get them in their permanent spot and let them start growing directly in your soil without all the extra fuss.
I think you should plant them right away. I’ve had success with Albion strawberries in zone 6 and planted them straight in the ground when I could work the soil. Cover them loosely with straw until the frost is completely over to protect them. Oh, and consider using a plant starter like Sea-com to help them out!
If I were you, I’d definitely soak the roots for about an hour to help them wake up. Then, plant them somewhere with well-draining soil. Since your area is warming up, they should be fine in the ground. Just make sure to keep an eye on them!
Totally agree! It seems like they’ll settle in better right away instead of being moved around. Good luck!
Exactly! Yeah, I’d skip the extra steps and just plant them directly. Sounds like a solid plan!