How to Grow Alexandria
Fragaria vesca
Alexandria is a delightful perennial strawberry variety known for its sweet fruit and compact growth habit. Gardeners prize this heirloom for its reliable yield in cooler climates and minimal pest pressure compared to other cultivars.
📷 Wikimedia CommonsStarting Alexandria: indoors or direct sow?
🏠 Start indoors 4 weeks before your last spring frost, then move the seedlings outside.
If starting indoors, move seedlings outdoors once all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures have warmed sufficiently for establishment.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, well-draining soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.8. As a cool-season crop, sow seeds directly outdoors or start indoors 2-6 weeks before the last frost date. Press seeds lightly into the soil surface; do not cover them deeply as they need light to germinate. Expect sprouts in 10 to 14 days.
Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart to ensure good air circulation. While these low-growing berries rarely need trellising, keep the area weed-free. Provide regular moisture, aiming for about 1 to 1.5 inches of water weekly. Apply a layer of mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
Watch for occasional spider mites, slugs, or birds; use netting or organic sprays if populations rise. Fungal issues like powdery mildew may appear in humid conditions with poor airflow. Harvest ripe berries roughly 100 to 120 days after sowing by gently pulling them from the plant when fully red.
When to Plant Alexandria
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
Companion Plants for Alexandria
✓ Good companions
Attracts pollinators and beneficial predatory insects, may improve berry flavor
Deters aphids and other soft-bodied insects with strong scent
Fixes nitrogen in soil, provides ground cover to retain moisture
Natural fungicide properties, deters various pests including aphids
Repel nematodes and aphids, attract beneficial insects
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, attracts beneficial insects
Living mulch that suppresses weeds and retains soil moisture
Repels aphids and spider mites, attracts beneficial insects
✗ Keep away from
Produces juglone which is toxic to many berry plants and inhibits growth
Heavy feeders that compete for nutrients and may inhibit berry root development
Create acidic soil conditions and dense shade that most berries cannot tolerate
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
