Fragaria × ananassa Duchesne ‘Festival’

‘Festival’ strawberry is a grower favorite because it has a sturdy bush that is easy to harvest, doesn’t yield huge quantities of fruit on any one date, and produces very few cull fruit. The fruit are attractive, fit well in one pound clamshell containers, and have a long shelf life. In addition the fruit are flavorful, firm fleshed, deep red on the outside, bright red on the inside, conically shaped, and have large, showy calyces. 

Fruit Size: Medium

Yield: Approximately 1.5 pounds per plant

Growth Habit: Upright rosettes and vigorous, spreading by runners; When desired, these runners are typically removed as they are formed to keep the plants compact.

Harvest Period: Typically February to May with moderate early yields

Exposure: Full sun

Size: Height — 8 to 10 inches

Plant type: Grow as an annual

Planting time: Fall, late September to October

Soil type: Sandy; needs good drainage

Suggested uses: Raised beds, containers

Special notes: Will tolerate freezing conditions during the winter; only needs protection when temperatures are forecast to be in the low teens.

Additional information in this AgriLife Today article.