How to Grow Strawberry Jewel

Strawberry Jewel

Fragaria × ananassa 'Strawberry Jewel'

fruit

Strawberry Jewel is a day-neutral (everbearing) strawberry variety that produces fruit continuously throughout the growing season rather than just in spring. Known for its sweet flavor and compact growth habit, it's ideal for container gardening and small spaces. The plants yield medium-sized, bright red berries with excellent taste.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum

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Water: Consistent moisture, 1-2 inches per week; keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Drip irrigation or soaker hoses preferred to keep foliage dry.

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Spacing: 12-18 inches

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

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Planting depth: Crown should be at soil surface; roots planted 1 inch deep

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-6.8

Amendments:

Compost aged manure peat moss perlite

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 4-8; performs well in containers in zones 3-9

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

Growth Stages

Establishment

2-3 weeks

Young transplants with 3-5 leaves; developing root system

Keep consistently moist, remove first flower buds to encourage root development, apply mulch around crown (not covering it)

Vegetative Growth

4-6 weeks

Plants producing runners and expanding leaf rosettes; multiple crowns developing

Continue regular watering, feed with balanced fertilizer every 3-4 weeks, monitor for pests, remove excess runners if controlling plant spread

Flowering & Fruiting

8-12 weeks (repeating cycles)

White flowers appearing continuously; small green berries developing and ripening to red

Increase phosphorus and potassium fertilizer (lower nitrogen), maintain consistent watering, provide support for heavy fruit clusters, protect from birds

Peak Production

6-8 weeks

Multiple ripe berries ready for harvest; continuous flowering throughout season

Harvest ripe berries every 2-3 days, deadhead any diseased flowers, maintain mulch layer, continue regular feeding and watering

Late Season/Dormancy

4-8 weeks depending on zone

Fruit production slows as temperatures cool; plants preparing for winter

Reduce fertilizer in fall, allow foliage to harden, provide winter mulch in zones below 7, cut back foliage in spring

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Borage thyme sage lettuce spinach chamomile

Avoid planting near:

Fennel kohlrabi brassicas in general

Common Pests

Spray with water to dislodge, use insecticidal soap, increase humidity, encourage natural predators like ladybugs
Spray with strong water stream, use neem oil or insecticidal soap, introduce beneficial insects
Remove affected plants, use beneficial nematodes in soil, apply diatomaceous earth around base
Improve air circulation, apply sulfur fungicide, remove infected leaves, avoid overhead watering
Remove infected berries immediately, improve air circulation, reduce humidity, apply sulfur or fungicide if needed

Uses

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Fresh eating and desserts

Culinary

Strawberry Jewel berries are sweet and flavorful, perfect for eating fresh, adding to salads, or using in desserts, jams, and preserves. The continuous harvest provides ongoing supply throughout the season. [source]

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Smoothies and beverages

Culinary

The consistent sweetness and availability of Strawberry Jewel make it excellent for blending into smoothies, juices, and infused beverages throughout the growing season. [source]

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Vitamin C and antioxidants

Medicinal

Strawberries are rich in vitamin C, manganese, and polyphenolic antioxidants that support immune function and overall health. Regular consumption may help reduce inflammation. [source]

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Container and ornamental gardening

Household

Strawberry Jewel's compact habit makes it perfect for decorative containers, hanging baskets, and small spaces. The white flowers and red berries provide visual appeal in addition to edible production. [source]

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Pollinator attraction

Wildlife

The continuous white flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to the garden, supporting beneficial insect populations and increasing overall garden biodiversity. [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 (they do not ripen further after picking), harvest every 2-3 days at peak production for continuous supply. Gently twist or use scissors to avoid damaging plants. Best harvested in early morning when cool.

Fun Facts

🌱 Strawberry Jewel is a day-neutral variety, meaning it flowers and fruits regardless of daylight length, unlike traditional June-bearing strawberries that respond to seasonal photoperiods.
🌱 A single strawberry is not botanically a berry—the red fleshy part is actually the receptacle (flower base), while the true fruits are the tiny seeds on the surface.
🌱 Strawberry Jewel plants can produce fruit continuously from late spring through fall frost, providing 3-5 times more harvests than traditional strawberry varieties over a season.

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