Strawberries 101

See these beautiful luscious strawberries?  Yeah, they're not mine. 

I had a comment today about my last strawberries post. The anonymous commenter cheerfully told me that although my first crop of strawberries was small (and they were small both in size and quantity), that with patience, I will find that my 2nd crop will be bountiful.

Oh how I wish ms. anonymous was right!  Who am I kidding...chances are she is right. Therefore, I must have screwed something up. Here's the list of what I might have done wrong. (I suppose I should rephrase this with a more positive spin, such as "Here's what I should remember for next year.") But I can be cranky after a day's work....so here's a compromise.

What I Might Have Done Wrong/Things to Remember

1. Check what type of strawberries you are buying. There are three primary types: 
   
   June-bears:  produce only one crop a year
   Ever-bearers: produce two crops a year, spring and fall
   Day-neutrals:  produce continuously through out the summer
   
    I'm hoping I bought the ever-bearers, for at least that would explain my lack of crop and allow for the possibility of strawberries to come! Although fall is a distance thought when it is not yet July.  For more information on these three types of strawberries, check out this article.
   
   
2. Plant them early. I purchased and planted my strawberries in early May. That might be acceptable in Maine, but in Texas, where it's been over 90 degrees through most of May and June, it is simply too warm. 
   
3. Apparently 6+ hours of sunlight a day is preferred. That is not a problem. However, I think the amount of heat, as mentioned above, may be.
   
4. Acidity level of the soil should be approx. 5.5-6.5.  (I have no idea how to check this...and if the level was too high or too low, I don't know how I would fix it. Maybe I'll save this one for the pros.)
   
5. Supposedly, the first year of a strawberry plant's life, you should not allow fruit to grow. Pinch it back.  This will ensure a good crop the 2nd year. Allow the plant to produce berries will weaken it for the following year. (oh no!)
   

This is my unofficial research. I will cling to the hopes that possibly I'll get berries in the fall, or possibly I'll get berries next year. Ah...the mystery of it all!

I should really be looking for a Gardening for Idiots book. I know it must exist, and it's right up my alley.