White Soul Strawberry Seeds

The White Soul strawberry is an intriguing and delightful variation of wild strawberry that brings an uncommon aesthetic to any garden. This variety is particularly admired for its elegant white or cream-coloured fruits, which are relatively small in size but pack a punch in terms of flavour.

In terms of growth habit, White Soul strawberries are perennial plants, ideally suited for zones 6-9 in Canada. They are compact, which makes them perfect for container gardening or edging, and have a robust nature that allows them to spread gently when given the space to do so. Easy to grow and maintain, these strawberries are resistant to many common strawberry diseases. The 'White Soul' variety can yield a bountiful crop in the right conditions, with the fruiting period extending from late spring to early fall. 

The berries have an intoxicatingly sweet taste, combined with a subtle pineapple-like undertone that sets them apart from other strawberries. Their white coloring does not mean they're unripe - instead, they offer a ripe, lush taste when they reach their creamy hue.

White Soul strawberries provide the added advantage of being less attractive to birds. The distinctive white fruits tend not to catch the eye of birds as much as their red counterparts, thus reducing the likelihood of the fruits being eaten before they can be harvested.

- Latin Name: Fragaria vesca
- Days to Maturity: 120
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Canada Hardiness Zone: 6-9
- Start Indoors or Cold Frame: December to February or may not bear fruit the first year.
- Direct Sowing: After last spring frost
- Planting Depth: Need light to germinate, do not cover, mist lightly.
- Days to Germination: 7-42
- Optimal Soil Temperature During Germination: 20-25°C
- Seed Spacing: 2-3 seeds every 30 cm
- Thinning Seedlings: 60 cm apart
- Row Spacing: 90-120 cm
- Plant Height: 15-20 cm
- Average Seeds Needed Per 10 m Row: 100
- Average Yield Per 10 m Row: 10 lb.

GROWING INSTRUCTIONS

Because of their tiny size, strawberries may be a little tricky to start by seed. But don’t be discouraged. Once established, the plants will produce plenty of delicious berries for years to come.

To get a jump on the season, start seeds indoors early in the season from December to February. Strawberries may not produce until the following spring if they don’t get a head start.

Plant seeds in a flat or small pots, one seed/2 cm. Don’t cover seeds, they require light to germinate. Press them lightly and firmly into the soil. Mist seeds and keep them moist. Keep soil between 16-24°C for best germination. Seeds should be kept under grow lights for at least 12 hours/day.

After they’re established, feed seedlings with a mild liquid fertilizer every two weeks. Six weeks after germination, transplant seedlings into individual pots. Start gradually hardening plants off on nice spring days, but don’t transplant until after the last frost.

Dig a hole for each plant 60 cm apart. Work some compost or your fertilizer of choice into each hole before planting. Plant roots deeply, but don’t cover the crown of the plant. It should be right at the surface of the soil.

Water in well and lay mulch to shelter the shallow roots. Ensure that plants receive 3 cm of water/week. Strawberries prefer full sun and well-drained soil.

New plants that sprout up yearly should be encouraged to compete for space with older plants. This will ensure good berry quality and production. Cut berries by the stem to avoid harming the plant and enjoy these summertime gems by the handful.

After a few fall frosts, it is time to cut the plants down to 3 cm. Use a 10 cm layer of mulch to insulate crowns and roots throughout the winter. Welcome new growth by removing mulch in the spring after the danger of frost has passed.

QUICK FACTS

- The strawberry fruit was first mentioned over 2 000 years ago in ancient Roman literature in reference to its medicinal use. During the 14th century, the French began taking wild strawberry plants from the forest to their gardens for harvest. In England, the demand for strawberry farming had increased by the 16th century. During the early 1800s, breeding was conducted to improve the hardiness, disease resistance, size, and taste, giving rise to the modern strawberry.

- Strawberry seeds will remain viable for two years if stored in a cool, dark place, ideally between 4 and 10⁰C. After that, the germination rate may start to go down.