Rampart Farmstead · Southwest Florida
Strawberry Plugs
Grow Embers, Camino, and Encore strawberries in containers and raised beds — varieties chosen for southwest Florida's unique climate.
The Three Varieties
Choose Your Berry
Embers
Heat-loving & prolific
Bred for southern climates, Embers thrives in Florida warmth and keeps producing through the shoulder seasons. Expect firm, bright-red berries with a classic sweet-tart strawberry flavor.
Best ForContainers, raised beds, in-ground
Harvest WindowLate fall through early spring
Camino
Disease-resistant & reliable
Camino is a workhorse variety with excellent resistance to common root and foliar diseases that plague humid-climate growers. Medium-large berries with a balanced, aromatic flavor.
Best ForRaised beds, container trials
Harvest WindowWinter through mid-spring
Encore
Late-season favorite
Encore extends your harvest window with a strong late-season flush. Large, glossy berries with a rich, old-fashioned strawberry taste — ideal for fresh eating and preserves.
Best ForRaised beds, larger containers
Harvest WindowMid-winter through late spring
Growing Guide
Containers & Raised Beds
Southwest Florida's warm, humid climate calls for specific techniques. Follow these steps for a productive cool-season berry harvest.
Growing in Containers
Growing in Raised Beds
Container Growing
Use a 3–5 gallon pot per plug with good drainage holes. Fill with a lightweight, well-draining mix — blend peat or coco coir with perlite and a slow-release berry fertilizer. Set the crown slightly above soil level; burying the crown invites rot.
Raised Bed Planting
Space plugs 12 inches apart in rows 18 inches apart. Raised beds improve drainage and warm faster in the cool season — critical for southwest Florida growers. Work in compost and a balanced fertilizer before planting.
Sun & Shade
Strawberries want 6–8 hours of direct sun, but in southwest Florida afternoon heat can stress plants. Morning sun with light afternoon shade from October–March produces the sweetest berries without scorch.
Watering
Keep soil consistently moist but never soggy. Water at the base to keep crowns and fruit dry — drip irrigation or a gentle wand works best. Containers dry out faster than beds, so check daily during dry, windy spells.
Temperature
Plugs thrive in 60–80°F. Southwest Florida growers should plant in October–November for a winter harvest. Protect from rare cold snaps below 32°F with frost cloth; provide afternoon shade on 90°F+ days.
Feeding & Harvest
Feed with a berry-specific fertilizer every 4–6 weeks. Pick berries when fully red — they do not ripen further once picked. Harvest in the cool of morning for best flavor and storage life.
A Note on Climate
Why These Varieties Work Here
Southwest Florida's mild winters and intense summers make traditional strawberry growing tricky. Embers, Camino, and Encore are bred to perform in warm, humid conditions — planted as plugs in October and November, they produce through the cool, dry season when the rest of the country is frozen. Plant in containers for easy relocation during extreme weather, or in raised beds for better drainage and soil control. Either way, you'll enjoy fresh, sun-ripened berries from your own backyard.
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