These plants ship November through May from Pense Berry Farms in Mountainburg, Arkansas. Orders placed between May 21 and October 31 ship in November and December. Online orders of products from Pense Berry Farms require a $150.00 minimum. For smaller orders, please contact us.
Origin: 'Flavorfest' is a June-bearing strawberry cultivar released in 2012 by the breeding program at the **USDA Beltsville Research Center** in Maryland. It resulted from a cross between two USDA-ARS selections, B759 and B786, planned in 1995.
Patent Status: 'Flavorfest' Strawberry is not patented and can be propagated commercially.
Berry Production: Produces large, bright red, firm, and plump berries with an excellent sweet flavor. It is known for high yields and maintaining berry size throughout its relatively long season. The berries are suitable for fresh eating, freezing, and processing (jams, jellies, pastries).
Ripening Time: 'Flavorfest' is an early mid-season June-bearing strawberry. It produces one large crop of berries over a few weeks in the spring.
Plant Size and Appearance: 'Flavorfest' exhibits high vigor, with plants reaching 12-16 inches in height and spreading 12-16 inches. It has a mounded to trailing habit with thick, green foliage.
Flowers: Features typical white, five-petaled strawberry flowers with yellow centers in May. It is self-pollinating, though bees can enhance yields.
Hardiness: Recommended for USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 7, and some sources suggest it may grow in Zone 8 as well.
Pollination: 'Flavorfest' is self-pollinating and does not require another strawberry variety for fruit set. However, bee activity can improve pollination and overall yield.
Growing Conditions:
Sunlight: Requires full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily) for optimal fruit production.
Soil: Prefers organically rich, medium moisture, and well-drained soils with a slightly acidic pH (5.5-6.8). Good drainage is essential.
Watering: Requires regular and deep watering, especially during establishment, flowering, and fruit development. Avoid overwatering and allow foliage to dry to prevent diseases. Mulching can help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Fertilizing: Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization due to the plant's vigor. Mix a balanced fertilizer (e.g., 1-2-1 NPK ratio) into the soil at planting. In subsequent years, fertilize after the final harvest.
Planting: Set plants so that the crown (where leaves meet roots) is level with the soil surface, spacing them 7-12 inches apart in staggered double rows 3-4 feet apart.
Pruning: Remove old or diseased leaves. Manage runners depending on the growing system (matted row or plasticulture). Pinching off the first flush of flowers in the planting year can encourage stronger root development and better yields in the following years.
Uses: The berries are excellent for:
Fresh eating due to their outstanding flavor.
Freezing well for later use.
Making jams, jellies, and preserves.
Baking in pies, tarts, and other desserts.
Suitable for both home gardens and commercial production.
Wildlife Value: The flowers attract bees, and the berries are a food source for birds. Gardeners may need to protect ripening fruit from birds.
Ornamental Value: Strawberries can be used as groundcover, edging, or in terraced beds, with attractive white flowers and red fruits.
Disease and Pest Resistance: 'Flavorfest' exhibits excellent disease resistance, including high resistance to red stele and leaf diseases. It is not susceptible to anthracnose crown or fruit rot, making it a good choice for organic growers. It also shows resistance or tolerance to most stem and leaf diseases.
