Fragaria 'Yambu' (early-season)

Fragaria 'Yambu' is a new improved Honeoye strawberry from the Netherlands. Yambu strawberry is an early / mid-season strawberry variety that bears numerous attractive white flowers. It produces uniform sized, sweet, juicy, bright red fruits with glossy skin.

This red strawberry was bred by Burt Meulenbroek and released by Fresh Forward in the Netherlands. It is a favourite among home gardeners, as it provides an extended fruiting period over the standard June bearing strawberry varieties. Fragaria 'Yambu' has ripening timing similar to the Honeoye strawberry, one of its parents. Fruits are better fresh eating than Honeoye, which is great for processing.

Plants are very vigorous, hardy, and have dark green, compact foliage. The compact, tighter plant growth habit makes them perfect for small gardens and containers. This red strawberry is easy to grow, and does not require any special nutrient and soil type. Fragaria 'Yambu' is a hardy plant which is tolerant to Red Stele and other various leaf diseases.

Yambu strawberry prefer sunny to partially shaded areas with moist, well-drained soil and a pH between 6-6.8. Preparing the beds in the previous fall, or early spring can help to control perennial weeds. Plants should be spaced 12 to 8 inches apart in the row, and 3 to 4 feet between rows. Remove first year flowers to help to establish a well-rooted, vigorous strawberry plants.

Mulching late fall will help to avoid heaving by moderating freeze-thaw cycle. Mulch needs to be pulled aside during spring when the plants start to grow. Leaving mulch in the aisles will help to suppress weeds and keep the strawberries clean.

Yambu strawberry produce fruits a for a long period, and many growers report good quality, and high productivity. Harvesting starts in the second spring and continues for 3 to 5 years.