Fragaria x ananassa 'Albion'
fruitAlbion is the premier day-neutral strawberry in North America, bred at UC Davis and released in 2004 (U.S. plant patent granted in 2006). Day-neutral means it ignores day length and fruits in flushes from late spring right through to fall frost, rather than in one June burst. The berries are large, long-conical, deep red inside and out, exceptionally firm, and among the sweetest and firmest of the day-neutral varieties, which is why Albion dominates both market and home plantings. Albion also carries strong resistance to Verticillium wilt, Phytophthora crown rot, and anthracnose - a rare combination that makes it forgiving for beginners.
Sun
full sun
Water
Every 3 days
Harvest
~120 days
to first harvest
Difficulty
easy
Lifecycle
perennial
Comes back every year
Spacing
12 in. apart
Planting Depth
Crown midpoint at soil line
Soil pH
5.8-6.5
Soil Type
Rich, well-draining, sandy loam
Hardiness Zones
Zones 4 – 7
When to Fertilize
At planting and again midsummer
Fertilizer
Balanced 10-10-10
Set Albion crowns in early spring, 2 to 4 weeks before the last frost, in full sun and rich, well-drained soil amended with compost. Plant so the midpoint of the crown sits exactly at the soil line - a buried crown rots and an exposed crown dries out. Space plants 12 in. apart in rows 2 ft apart. As a day-neutral, Albion fruits the first year, so pinch off all blossoms for the first 6 weeks after planting to build a strong root system, then let it fruit nonstop. Keep soil evenly moist with 1 to 1.5 in. of water per week, mulch with straw, and remove most runners so energy goes to fruit.
Direct sow
Apr 1
Projected first harvest
Jun 30
Year 1
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts. Tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Mulch with straw rather than damp leaves, set beer traps, and pick fruit promptly; slugs hollow out ripe berries overnight
Keep beds and field edges weed-free, since the bug breeds in weeds; its feeding causes catfaced, deformed berries
Rinse leaf undersides in hot dry weather and avoid drought stress, which triggers mite outbreaks
Drape lightweight bird netting over the bed as berries begin to color
Water at the base in the morning, space for airflow, mulch to keep fruit off soil, and remove rotting berries immediately
Pick Albion when the entire berry is deep red with no white shoulders - strawberries do not ripen further once picked. Harvest in the cool of the morning every 2 to 3 days, pinching the stem rather than pulling the fruit to avoid bruising. As a day-neutral it fruits in waves from June to frost, so keep picking to keep it producing. Refrigerate unwashed and use within a few days; Albion stores better than most thanks to its firmness.
Strawberries are an outstanding source of vitamin C - about 59 mg per 100 g, nearly a full day in a single cup - plus manganese, folate, and potassium, all for only about 32 calories per 100 g. Their red color comes from anthocyanins, and they are rich in ellagic acid, both antioxidants linked to heart and anti-inflammatory benefits. Albion in particular has high sugar content for fresh eating.
For educational and informational purposes only. HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.
Year 2