The Reine des Vallées strawberry plant is a variety of the wild strawberry type, everbearing and without runners , which produces small, elongated, extremely fragrant red fruits .

How to successfully sow strawberries

To successfully sow strawberries:

1. Place your seed packet in the fridge for 2 weeks to break dormancy.
2. Sow on the surface in rich, moist soil , without pressing the seeds in, at a minimum temperature of 22°C .
3. Pack lightly, water so that the seed remains moist .
4. Once germination has occurred, transplant the seedlings and place them in cooler conditions .

Sowing calendar

• Sow in the fall for harvest in May .
• Sow in February for harvest from mid-June to November .
• Sow in spring and autumn for one- and two-year-old crops.
• Sowing possible in November under cover for transplanting in spring.

Planting and growing strawberries

1. Soil : If the soil is very chalky or very wet, choose to grow it in pots or containers. Strawberries prefer rich soil . Prepare the soil by adding manure or compost and organic fertilizer a month beforehand.
2. Planting : Plant strawberries in a sunny position in rows, on 80 cm wide and 20 cm high mounds . You can plant two rows of plants 40 cm apart and 30 cm apart in the row . Plan 70 cm wide paths between the mounds.
3. Mulching : This helps prevent weed growth, maintain soil moisture and insulate the fruit from the ground.
4. Watering : Water regularly during hot weather.

Strawberry Plant Maintenance

To encourage rooting and vegetative development, cut the flower stems within a month of planting.

During cultivation, cut the stolons (or threads).

In the fall, clean the plants (remove dry leaves and suckers) and apply a copper- based speciality if the leaves have many purple spots .

Strawberry harvest

Pick strawberries in the morning , they will be more fragrant.