Strawberry, Chandler

The Chandler strawberry is a popular variety known for its large, sweet, and juicy berries. It’s a June-bearing strawberry variety, meaning it produces a single, abundant crop of fruit in early summer. The fruit is medium to large in size, with a deep red color and a sweet, flavorful taste. Chandler strawberries are often used for fresh eating, desserts, jams, and preserves. This variety is also known for its ability to produce a heavy crop in a relatively short period and is often favored by both home gardeners and commercial growers.

The Chandler strawberry plant has a spreading growth habit and produces attractive, dark green foliage with white flowers in the spring, which give way to the large berries in summer. The plants are relatively easy to grow and maintain, making them a great option for home gardeners.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: Typically grows to a height of 8-12 inches (20-30 cm).
• Width: The plant has a spread of about 12-18 inches (30-45 cm), creating a ground-covering habit with a dense mat of foliage and runners.
• Fruit: The fruit is large, sweet, and red, with a classic strawberry shape. Each berry can be 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) long, with a glossy, deep red exterior and a juicy, flavorful interior.
• Foliage: Dark green, serrated leaves form a dense mat, with runners that help the plant spread and produce new plants.

Growing Zones:

• Hardiness Zone: Chandler strawberries are well-suited for USDA Hardiness Zones 4-8, which cover much of the northern and central U.S. and parts of the southern U.S. They can tolerate cold temperatures but may require some protection in the harshest winter climates. In warmer zones, they may produce smaller yields or require extra care during the summer heat.

Light Requirements:

• Full sun: Chandler strawberries perform best in full sun, requiring 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Full sun helps to produce the best fruit and ensures strong, healthy growth.

Soil:

• Prefers well-draining, slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5-6.5) that is rich in organic matter. A soil rich in compost or well-rotted manure will provide the necessary nutrients for healthy strawberry growth. It's important to avoid heavy, clay-like soil that can lead to poor drainage and root rot.

Watering:

• Strawberries like consistently moist soil, especially during the fruiting season. Water deeply to keep the soil consistently moist, but avoid overhead watering, which can increase the risk of fungal diseases. Drip irrigation or watering at the base of the plant is ideal to keep the foliage dry.

Uses:

• Fresh eating: Chandler strawberries are large, sweet, and flavorful, making them excellent for snacking, desserts, and fruit salads.
• Preserves and jams: Due to their large size and sweetness, these strawberries are also great for making jams, jellies, and preserves.
• Baking: They are perfect for pies, tarts, cakes, and other strawberry-based baked goods.
• Container gardening: Chandler strawberries can be grown in containers, making them ideal for patios, balconies, or small gardens.
• Ground cover: As the plant produces runners, it can be used as a ground cover in garden beds, providing both beauty and fruit production.

Native Range:

• Chandler strawberries are a hybrid of Fragaria chiloensis (the beach strawberry native to coastal regions of the Americas) and Fragaria virginiana (the wild strawberry found across North America). While Chandler itself is not a wild species, its parentage originates from North America and the coastal regions of the Pacific Northwest.

Tips for Growing Strawberry Chandler:

1. Planting: Plant strawberries in the spring after the last frost date or in the fall in regions with mild winters. Space the plants about 12-18 inches apart to allow for proper air circulation and runner growth. Ensure the crown (the area where the leaves meet the roots) is level with the soil surface.
2. Mulching: Apply mulch around the plants to help retain moisture, keep the soil cool, and prevent weeds. Straw, pine needles, or wood chips work well as mulch.
3. Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring, just before new growth begins. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen, as this can lead to excessive leafy growth at the expense of fruit production.
4. Pruning: Remove runners (the long stems that grow from the plant) if you want to focus the plant’s energy on producing fruit rather than new plants. Some gardeners choose to allow the runners to root and propagate new plants for the following season.
5. Harvesting: Harvest Chandler strawberries when they are fully ripe, with a deep red color. They do not continue to ripen significantly after being picked, so it’s essential to wait until they are fully mature for the best flavor.
6. Winter Care: In colder climates, protect plants with a layer of mulch or row covers during the winter to prevent freezing. In warmer climates, Chandler strawberries may require extra water and shading during the heat of summer to prevent stress.

7. ---SHIPPING NOTICE PLEASE READ BEFORE PURCHASING LIVE PLANTS!---

    We WILL NOT refund the purchase of or the shipping cost of live plants purchased with the intent to be shipped to states that do not authorize importing live plants or to states with restrictions! Purchases to these states will be held for 30 days for pick-up at our Slidell, Louisiana store and the shipping cost associated with these purchases will be held for the care of the plant while waiting to be picked up. All sales are final. If the plant(s) purchased are not picked up within 30 days from the date of order, these items will be returned to our sales inventory and you WILL NOT be refunded. Thank you for understanding these policies.

   Due to regulations, certain states have restrictions on importing plants. Please review the list below to ensure you're not attempting to order any restricted plants in your area.

   **Important Note:** We do not ship any plants outside the U.S.

   State-Specific Restrictions - We ARE NOT responsible for any plant(s) that are not listed in these restrictions. Purchaser bears all responsibility for making sure the plant(s) they desire to purchase are not banned from being imported to the shipping state:

   Arizona: Juglans spp.  

   California: Castanea spp., Juglans spp., Pinus spp., Quercus spp.  

   Colorado: Some counties restrict Prunus spp. Please verify your local county regulations.  

   Florida: Castanea spp., Cornus spp., Quercus spp., Cornus mas 

   Georgia: Vaccinium spp.

   Hawaii: Pinus spp. 

   Idaho: Humulus lupulus, Mentha spp., Vitis spp.

   Indiana: Fragraria spp., Rosa spp. 

   Kansas: Juglans spp.

   Michigan: Abies spp., Vaccinium spp.

   Montana: Pinus spp.

   Nevada: Allium spp.

   Mentha spp. 

   New Jersey: Rosa spp.  

   New York: Vitis spp.  

   Oregon: Allium spp., Castanea spp., Corylus spp., Humulus lupulus, Quercus spp., Sambucus nigra, Ulmus spp., Vaccinium spp., Vitis spp.

   Texas: Juglans spp. 

   Washington: Allium spp., Castanea spp., Corylus spp., Humulus lupulus, Vaccinium spp., Vitis spp.  

   Wisconsin: Abies spp., Pinus spp., Picea spp., Mentha spp. 

   Additionally, we cannot ship plants in soil medium to the following states: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, HI, ID, KS, MS, MT, ND, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA.