Strawberry lovers who grow their own berries may be of two types. Some prefer the larger June-bearing strawberries and some prefer to sacrifice some of that size for everbearing varieties that produce multiple crops throughout the growing season. There is no right or wrong choice, but for those who want successive crops and live in the northern regions or higher elevations of the South, try growing Ozark Beauties. What are Ozark Beauty strawberries? Read on to find out how to grow an Ozark Beauty and about Ozark Beauty plant care.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
The Ozark Beauty strawberry was developed in Arkansas and is well suited for cooler regions, hardy to USDA zones 4-8, and with protection may even do well in USDA zones 3 and 9. This strawberry cultivar can survive winter temps down to -30 F. (-34 C.). Ozark Beauty strawberries are considered to be one of the best everbearing varieties. They are vigorous and extremely prolific producers. They produce fairly large berries for an everbearing that are deep red in color and honey-sweet, excellent for use in the making of preserves.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Garden strawberry ‘Ozark Beauty’ likes sunlight and needs at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. You can grow the plants in a sunny place or supplement them with artificial lighting. When there is sufficient light, the plants are strong and the fruit is large and of good quality. Too little sunlight is not conducive to the growth and fruiting of garden strawberry ‘Ozark Beauty’, producing fruit that is pale and less sweet. If the sunlight comes from only one direction, rotate the plant every three to four days to make it grow evenly.
Temperature
Garden strawberry ‘Ozark Beauty’ prefers a mild, moist environment with a temperature of 15 to 25 ℃. The flower buds can tolerate temperatures as low as -6 ℃, while the flowers start to freeze at -2 ℃. In summer, when the temperature is higher than 30 ℃ and the sunlight is strong, shade the plant to avoid sunburns.
Garden strawberry ‘Ozark Beauty’ roots are shallowly distributed. They require much water but are not resistant to waterlogging. In the early spring and flowering period, keep the soil moist. During the growing and mature periods, provide more water to the plant.
Watering
Thriving in its preferred moist conditions, garden strawberry ‘Ozark Beauty’ is adept at coping with the temperate climates it originates from. This species has a balanced water requirement and benefits from consistent soil moisture to support its growth and fruit production. Watering every week will maintain the ideal hydration levels for garden strawberry ‘Ozark Beauty’. As an outdoor plant often cultivated in gardens, garden strawberry ‘Ozark Beauty’ flourishes when the soil’s moisture content is carefully managed to mimic natural rainfall patterns, which enhances both its lush foliage and succulent strawberries.
Soil
Garden strawberry ‘Ozark Beauty’ prefers to grow in fertile, well-drained loam. It likes weakly acidic to neutral soil with a suitable pH of 5.5-6.5. Garden strawberry ‘Ozark Beauty’ does not tolerate waterlogging and requires good soil permeability, so do not plant it in clay. Poorly drained soil may cause root rot, so pay attention to drainage during the rainy season.
Fertilizing
For optimal berry production, feed garden strawberry ‘Ozark Beauty’ a balanced fertilizer, like a 10-10-10 mix, every 3-4 weeks during growing season. Apply 1 tablespoon per plant, avoiding direct contact with foliage and roots. Beneficial for plant vitality, fertilizing boosts flower and fruit yield. Reduce frequency post-harvest to prevent overgrowth. In cooler months, cease applications to allow dormancy. For safety and efficacy, water soil before fertilizing to reduce root burn risk.
Planting Instructions
You can grow garden strawberry ‘Ozark Beauty’ with seedlings or by sowing seeds. When using seeds for sowing, simply press the seeds into nutrient-rich soil, keep the soil moist, and wait a few weeks for them to germinate. Keep seedling trays/pots indoors in early spring to keep them safe from frost.
After the seedlings sprout, you can transplant them into larger flower pots or gardens, preferably on a cloudy day in early spring to prevent wilting. Be careful to avoid areas where tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, and peppers have previously been or are being planted. These plants may carry verticillium wilt that can infect garden strawberry ‘Ozark Beauty’.
Remove weeds and add slow-release fertilizer before planting. Dig a hole about the same depth as the root length of the seedling. If planted in a garden, make sure the plants are at least 30 to 45 cm apart. Fill the soil until the roots are not exposed and the stems are not buried. Keep the soil very moist but avoid water accumulation after transplanting until the plant becomes established.
After transplanting, you can also cover the ground with straw, pine needles, or mulch film. This not only suppresses weeds and saves water, but also keeps the fruit away from the ground. Change the ground cover annually to reduce the spread of pests and diseases.
Pruning
A mature garden strawberry ‘Ozark Beauty’ plant needs to be left with only 6-8 healthy, vigorous leaves. Remove extra leaves once a month during the growing season. When flowering, you can remove poorly growing flower buds. After the fruit is harvested, the plant enters a vigorous growth period, and new stem branches and adventitious roots grow in large numbers. This tends to make the plant too dense, and competition for light, water, and nutrition is fierce. This eventually reduces the yield. Therefore, it is important to remove excess leaves, stolons, and new stem branches after harvesting.
In addition, seasonal garden strawberry ‘Ozark Beauty’ often does not bear fruit in the first year of planting, so all flower buds should be cut off to ensure a healthy root system and good harvest next year.
Propagation
Garden strawberry ‘Ozark Beauty’ is easily multiplied through sowing. To ensure successful propagation, use a well-draining potting mix, typically a blend of peat, perlite, and vermiculite which is conducive to seedling development. Ensure the seeds are lightly covered with soil and maintain even moisture without waterlogging. Germination benefits from consistently warm conditions. Following sprouting, seedlings require ample light for healthy growth—consider supplemental lighting if natural light is insufficient. As they mature, thin the seedlings to prevent overcrowding and promote robust growth, readying them for eventual transplantation to their permanent location.
Transplanting
Garden strawberry ‘Ozark Beauty’ thrives when transplanted from early to mid-spring or late fall to early winter due to optimal soil moisture and cooler temperatures. Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil for best results.
III. Harvesting and Storage
Garden strawberry ‘Ozark Beauty’ fruit turns green at first, then white, and finally red (white strawberries are white when they are ripe). If it is to be eaten as fruit, pick it when 70% of its surface is red. If it is to be used to make jam or juice, pick it when it is completely red, as this is when the sweetness and aroma of the fruit are higher.
Harvesting should take place on sunny days when the weather is cool, as this is when the fruit is less likely to be bruised and the stems are easily broken. When the temperature rises, the fruit is more susceptible to rotting and bruising. Be careful when touching the fruit to avoid breakage. Remove diseased and inferior fruit when harvesting. Generally, harvesting should happen once every 2-3 days.
