Strawberries, by the yard or box

Spring and summer taste even sweeter with homegrown strawberries fresh for the picking.

Planting and harvesting strawberries can happen almost immediately, unlike planting fruit trees, which may take several years to grow.

Strawberries add a bright splash of color to any garden. However, the fruit does not require a big backyard. A simple container does not take up much space in a home or apartment, so you can plant strawberries on your balcony, rooftop, patio or doorstep.

There are two main types of strawberries: June-bearing and ever-bearing. While June-bearing strawberries produce a large yield of berries in late spring and early summer, ever-bearing strawberries produce a big crop of berries in late spring and grow all the way up until frost.

Strawberries can grow in all zones, so growing a healthy food is perfect for the warm seasons.

These tips from Bonnie Plants will plant the seeds to ensure a successful strawberry season: When planting your strawberries in the ground, make sure the crown, which is the point where the roots of the plant meet the leaves, is above the soil and the uppermost roots are ¼ inch below soil level.

Place each plant 14 to 18 inches apart in rows separated by 2 to 3 feet each.

Mulch is important to keep berries clean, conserve moisture and control weeds.

A strawberry pot is one of the best choices for planting berries in a container because it can hold several plants in one.

Container plantings need much more water than in-ground plantings, but make sure the container has good drainage. Smaller containers need to be watered more frequently and can be as small as 10 to 12 inches in diameter and 8 inches deep.

The plants need full sunlight for 6 to 8 hours a day.

Your berry plants should be fed twice a year - when growth begins and after the first crop - with plant food that has nutrients and growth stimulants.

HomeStyle, Pages 39 on 04/12/2014

Upcoming Events