How to Grow Strawberry 'Earliglow'
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Strawberry 'Earliglow'
Fragaria × ananassa 'Earliglow'
fruitEarliglow is a June-bearing strawberry variety prized for producing early-season fruit, typically ripening 7-10 days before other common varieties. It yields medium-sized, bright red berries with excellent flavor and firm texture ideal for fresh eating and preserving. This cultivar is cold-hardy and disease-resistant, making it particularly popular in northern climates.
When should you plant Strawberry 'Earliglow' in your zone?
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Example Strawberry 'Earliglow' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Strawberry 'Earliglow'
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Strawberry 'Earliglow'
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-7, with exceptional cold hardiness making it ideal for northern growing regions
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Establishment
4-8 weeksNewly planted transplants develop root systems and establish leaf growth. Plants appear small with 3-5 leaves.
Keep consistently watered, remove any flowers or runners the first year to encourage root development. Mulch with 1-2 inches of straw.
Vegetative Growth
8-12 weeksPlants expand foliage and produce runners (stolons). Leaves are bright green, trifoliate, and cover the crown.
Remove runners unless you want to propagate new plants. Maintain weed-free bed. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks.
Flowering
3-4 weeksSmall white flowers with yellow centers appear in clusters above the foliage. Multiple flowers develop on each plant.
Ensure adequate pollination by maintaining bee access. Continue regular watering. Avoid overhead watering which can promote disease.
Fruiting & Ripening
4-6 weeks (staggered ripening)Flowers develop into strawberries that grow from green to pink to deep red. Berries become firm and sweet as they ripen.
Maintain consistent moisture to prevent fruit cracking. Place straw mulch under berries to prevent soil contact. Remove any diseased fruit immediately.
Post-Harvest
Ongoing until dormancyAfter main harvest ends, plants slow growth, produce more runners, and begin preparing for dormancy or next season.
Remove dead leaves and spent flower stalks. Maintain moderate watering. Allow runners to root if expanding the bed; otherwise remove them.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Use row covers on young plants, remove adults by hand at night, apply insecticidal soap or neem oil if infestation is severe
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Increase humidity and air circulation, spray with water, use miticide if needed, introduce predatory mites
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Hand-pick in early morning or evening, create barriers with copper tape, use beer traps, encourage ground beetles
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Ensure good air circulation, avoid overhead watering, remove diseased fruit, mulch with straw to prevent soil splashing
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Remove infected leaves, improve air flow, avoid wetting foliage, apply fungicide if severe
Uses
Fresh eating and desserts
CulinaryEarliglow strawberries have excellent flavor with a good balance of sweetness and tartness, making them ideal for fresh eating, fruit salads, shortcakes, and summer desserts. [source]
Preserving and jam
CulinaryThe firm texture and high pectin content of Earliglow berries make them excellent for making jam, jelly, and preserves with minimal added pectin. [source]
Vitamin C and antioxidants
MedicinalStrawberries are rich in vitamin C, anthocyanins, and ellagic acid, supporting immune function and providing antioxidant benefits. [source]
Pollinator support
WildlifeThe white flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators, supporting ecosystem health and improving overall garden productivity. [source]
Natural cleaning agent
HouseholdStrawberry juice and seeds can be used as a natural stain remover and mild abrasive for gentle cleaning of delicate surfaces. [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, typically in early summer (May-June in most zones). Harvest every 2-3 days at peak ripeness for best flavor. Leave the green cap and stem attached if storing; remove only when ready to eat. Earliglow matures early in the season—often the first variety to produce—making it excellent for early-season picking.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Earliglow was developed at the University of Maryland and is named for its exceptionally early ripening—it can produce fruit up to 2 weeks before standard June-bearing varieties in cold climates.
- 🌱 Strawberries are not technically berries botanically; the edible red flesh is actually the receptacle, and the true fruits are the tiny seeds on the outside.
- 🌱 A single Earliglow plant can produce 200-400 berries over its productive lifespan if well-maintained, with production highest in years 2-3 before declining.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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