How to Grow Big Sur
Big Sur
Fragaria × ananassa 'Big Sur'
fruitBig Sur is a day-neutral strawberry variety that produces fruit continuously throughout the growing season rather than only in spring. It was developed at UC Davis and is prized for its large berries, excellent flavor, and extended harvest period. The plants are vigorous and productive, making them ideal for home gardeners and commercial operations.
When should you plant Big Sur in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Big Sur timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Big Sur
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Big Sur
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Big Sur dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 4-9; thrives in cool to moderate climates with consistent moisture
Sign up free to see if Big Sur grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Big Sur timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
4-6 weeksYoung plants develop root system and foliage. Leaves are bright green, trifoliate, and relatively small.
Remove all flowers and runners for first 4-6 weeks to encourage strong root development. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlants expand with robust green foliage and established crowns. Runner production begins (day-neutral varieties produce fewer runners than June-bearing).
Allow runners to root if you want to propagate; otherwise remove them to direct energy to fruit production. Continue regular watering and begin light fertilizing.
Flowering & Fruiting
4-6 weeks per cycle (continuous throughout season)Small white flowers with yellow centers emerge among the foliage. Flowers develop into green fruits that enlarge and turn red.
Maintain consistent moisture and nutrient levels. Apply balanced or slightly higher-potassium fertilizer. Pollinate flowers with a small brush if bees are scarce.
Harvest
Continuous June-October in most zonesBerries mature to deep red color. Ripe fruits are large (often 1.5+ inches), firm, and sweet.
Pick berries when fully red but still slightly firm. Harvest every 2-3 days during peak season. Remove any diseased or moldy berries immediately.
End of Season & Dormancy
2-3 monthsFlowering and fruiting slow as temperatures drop. Foliage remains but growth stalls. Some dieback may occur.
Reduce watering and fertilizing. In zones 3-5, apply 2-3 inches of straw mulch before first hard frost for winter protection. Remove mulch in spring.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or neem oil in warm weather. Improve air circulation.
-
Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs. Use reflective mulch.
-
and
Handpick at dawn and dusk; use copper tape or slug baits. Remove debris and dense mulch near plants.
-
Improve air circulation; apply sulfur dust or potassium bicarbonate fungicide. Avoid overhead watering.
-
Keep foliage dry; remove infected fruit immediately. Ensure good spacing and airflow. Apply copper fungicide preventatively.
Uses
Fresh eating and desserts
CulinaryBig Sur berries are large, sweet, and firm with excellent flavor, making them perfect for fresh consumption, shortcakes, jams, and preserves. Their size and consistency also make them ideal for freezing. [source]
Vitamin C and antioxidant source
MedicinalStrawberries, including Big Sur, are rich in vitamin C, ellagic acid, and anthocyanins that support immune function and have anti-inflammatory properties. [source]
Natural food coloring and stain removal
HouseholdFresh strawberry juice can be used as a natural red food coloring for desserts, and the fruit's mild acids may help remove certain stains from fabric. [source]
Pollinator and bird attractant
WildlifeStrawberry flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Ripe berries attract birds and beneficial wildlife that aid in garden pest control. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Big Sur produces fruit continuously from early summer through fall frost. Pick berries when fully red; they do not ripen further after harvest. Morning harvest when berries are cool yields best flavor and shelf life. Gently twist or cut the fruit with a short stem attached. Harvest every 2-3 days at peak season to encourage continued production and prevent rot.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Big Sur is a day-neutral strawberry, meaning it flowers and fruits based on temperature rather than day length, allowing it to produce fruit continuously from summer through fall instead of only in spring like June-bearing varieties.
- 🌱 Strawberries are not technically berries botanically; they are aggregated accessory fruits derived from the flower's receptacle, while the true fruits are the tiny seeds on the surface.
- 🌱 Big Sur was developed at UC Davis and named after the dramatic California coastline, reflecting the university's breeding program in California's prime strawberry-growing region.
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Big Sur planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Big Sur seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Big Sur timeline →