How to Grow Strawberry 'Chandler'

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Strawberry 'Chandler'

Fragaria × ananassa 'Chandler'

fruit

'Chandler' is a popular June-bearing strawberry variety known for producing large, firm berries with excellent flavor and exceptional shelf life. Originally developed in California, it's a commercial and home garden favorite prized for its consistent yields and disease resistance. The plant is vigorous and productive, making it ideal for both fresh eating and processing.

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Example Strawberry 'Chandler' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Strawberry 'Chandler'
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Strawberry 'Chandler'
Around Jun 16

≈ 60 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Strawberry 'Chandler' dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 8+ hours daily for optimal berry production

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Water: Consistent moisture of 1-2 inches per week; drip irrigation preferred to keep foliage dry and reduce disease. Increase watering during fruiting. Avoid waterlogging.

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Spacing: 12-18 inches

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Days to maturity: 60-90 days from planting to first harvest (varies by climate and planting date)

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Planting depth: Crown should be at soil level; roots 4-6 inches deep. Do not bury the crown or expose roots.

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-6.8

Amendments:

Compost or aged manure Perlite or sand for drainage Peat moss to retain moisture Balanced fertilizer (10-10-10)

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 3-9, with best performance in zones 5-8

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a

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Growth Stages

Establishment

3-4 weeks

Young transplants developing new leaves and roots; runners may begin emerging.

Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Pinch off early flowers to encourage root establishment. Remove any diseased or weak foliage.

Vegetative Growth

4-8 weeks (varies seasonally)

Plant develops robust foliage, crown thickens, and runners spread; no flowers yet.

Maintain consistent moisture and full sun exposure. Remove runners if you want larger berries on main plant; keep runners for propagation if desired. Apply mulch around plants.

Flowering

3-4 weeks

White flowers with yellow centers appear in clusters on short stalks; buds develop over several weeks.

Ensure consistent watering as flowers set. Maintain proper spacing for air circulation to reduce disease. Do not overhead water during bloom to prevent fungal issues.

Fruiting & Ripening

4-6 weeks

Green berries develop from flowers, gradually enlarging and changing color from green to light red to deep red. 'Chandler' produces large, conical berries.

Water deeply and consistently; increase watering frequency. Apply straw mulch around plants to keep berries clean and conserve moisture. Monitor for pests and diseases.

Harvest

2-4 weeks peak harvest period

Berries are fully red, firm, and sweet, ready for picking. June-bearing varieties typically produce a concentrated 2-4 week harvest window.

Pick ripe berries every 2-3 days. Use gentle handling to avoid bruising. Continue harvesting to encourage more production. After harvest, remove old foliage and runners if needed.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Borage Thyme Sage Lettuce Spinach Chives Marigold Buckwheat

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Cabbage Brassicas Potatoes Tomatoes Eggplant

Common Pests

Spray with water to dislodge; use sulfur dust or miticide if severe. Ensure good air circulation.
Remove infested plants; use diatomaceous earth around base. Apply nematodes to soil in spring or fall.
Hand-pick early morning; use Japanese beetle traps away from plants. Apply neem oil if infestation is heavy.
and
Remove debris and dense mulch; set beer traps. Apply diatomaceous earth or iron phosphate-based baits.
Improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering. Apply sulfur dust or fungicide in early stages.
and (Botrytis cinerea)
Remove infected leaves promptly; maintain dry foliage. Apply fungicide if disease spreads; space plants well.

Uses

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Fresh eating and desserts

Culinary

'Chandler' berries are large, firm, and sweet with excellent flavor, making them ideal for eating fresh, in salads, or as elegant dessert garnish. Their superior shelf life makes them perfect for farmers markets. [source]

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Jams, preserves, and processing

Culinary

High pectin content and firm flesh make 'Chandler' excellent for jams, jellies, and preserves that hold their texture well. Commercially used for frozen berries and purees. [source]

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Vitamin C and antioxidant source

Medicinal

Strawberries, including 'Chandler', are rich in vitamin C, ellagic acid, and anthocyanins, supporting immune function and reducing inflammation. A single serving provides significant daily vitamin C needs. [source]

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Natural dye and stain remover

Household

Strawberry juice contains natural acids that can help remove stains from fabric and teeth whitening, and has been historically used to dye textiles. [source]

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Pollinator and bird food

Wildlife

Strawberry flowers attract bees and other pollinators; ripening berries feed songbirds and wildlife. Growing strawberries supports biodiversity in the garden. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Pick berries when fully red and slightly soft; they do not continue to ripen after picking. Harvest in the cool morning for best flavor and shelf life. 'Chandler' is known for exceptional post-harvest firmness and storage quality, remaining fresh for up to 2 weeks in refrigeration. Leave the stem and hulls attached when picking for longer storage.

Fun Facts

🌱 'Chandler' strawberries were bred at UC Davis and released in 1979; they quickly became the leading commercial variety in California and remain popular worldwide due to their firmness and shelf life.
🌱 The 'seeds' on strawberries are actually the fruit, and the fleshy red part is the enlarged receptacle (flower base) — making strawberries botanically unique among berries.
🌱 'Chandler' plants produce runners in their second year that can be rooted and used to start new plants for free, though for best fruit production it's often better to remove runners in the first year.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Crown Full Sun Mulch Runner Transplant

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