Fragaria x ananassa 'Seascape'
fruitSeascape is a day-neutral strawberry from UC Davis (1991) that became a backbone of the California and home-garden trade for its sheer productivity and wide adaptability. It fruits in flushes from spring to frost, setting very large, firm, glossy berries with balanced sweet-tart flavor and good color through the cut. Seascape performs well across a broad climate range and in containers and hanging baskets, and it tolerates heat better than most day-neutrals, making it a strong pick where summers are warm.
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 – 9
When to Fertilize
At planting and again midsummer
Fertilizer
Balanced 10-10-10
Plant Seascape crowns in early spring, 2 to 4 weeks before the last frost, setting the crown midpoint right at the soil line in full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Space plants 12 in. apart in rows 2 ft apart, or 3 to 4 per large container. Pinch all blossoms for the first 6 weeks to establish roots, then allow continuous fruiting. Provide 1 to 1.5 in. of water weekly, mulch with straw to keep fruit clean, and remove runners to channel energy into berries. Renew plantings every 2 to 3 years as vigor declines.
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
Use straw mulch, beer traps, and prompt picking; slugs rasp holes in ripe berries overnight
Keep beds and edges weeded; the bugs feeding on developing fruit causes deformed, catfaced berries
Rinse leaf undersides in hot dry spells and keep plants well watered to head off mite flare-ups
Cover the bed with bird netting once berries start to color
Water at the base in the morning, mulch to lift fruit off soil, give airflow, and clear out rotting berries
Pick Seascape when berries are fully red, in the cool of the morning, every 2 to 3 days; pinch the stem to avoid bruising the soft flesh. As a day-neutral it produces from June through frost in waves, so continuous picking keeps it cropping. Seascapes firmness gives it good shelf life - refrigerate unwashed and rinse just before eating.
Like all strawberries, Seascape is exceptionally high in vitamin C (about 59 mg per 100 g) with useful manganese, folate, and potassium at just 32 calories per 100 g. The bright red flesh is packed with anthocyanins and ellagic acid, antioxidants tied to heart and anti-inflammatory benefits. The heavy yields make it one of the most rewarding fruits per square foot in the home garden.
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