Some strawberry varieties prove themselves over a season or two. Others prove themselves over decades. The Time-Tested Bundle brings together four varieties that have stood the test of time and earned their place in commercial fields, U-pick operations, and home gardens across the country. No unproven or new varieties here, just four strawberries you can trust to deliver. This bundle gives you fresh strawberries from early June straight through fall frost. Three June-bearing varieties— Galletta, Chandler, and Valley Sunset*—carry you through a 6+ week main harvest, while Albion, the gold-standard day-neutral, keeps producing right alongside them and continues long after the others have finished for the year. Whether you're starting your first patch or replacing tired plants in an established bed, these four are about as close to a sure thing as strawberries get. Note: We reserve the right to change varieties if any of our plugs do not meet our quality standards. If we have to swap out a variety, we will change it with the closest variety available in our nursery. Shipping Info: This bundle will ship fall 2026 (plug plants). Key Features: Strawberries All Summer Long: Three June-bearing varieties give you the classic 6+ week strawberry harvest from early June into mid-July. Then Albion, our day-neutral, keeps producing fresh berries through summer and fall until frost. From a single bundle, you'll be picking strawberries for 4-5 months instead of two weeks. Proven Performance: Every variety in this bundle has been in commercial production for 17+ years, with Chandler going strong since 1983. These aren't experiments — they're varieties that have earned their reputation across thousands of farms and countless growing seasons. Broad Climate Adaptation: All four thrive across zones 4-8, covering most of the Midwest, Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Upper South. Chandler and Albion stretch even further south into zone 9. No matter where you garden in most of the country, this bundle will work. Versatile Growing Systems: These varieties produce well in both matted-row home garden beds and commercial plasticulture systems. Plant them the way your operation is set up; no special techniques required. Four Distinct Flavors: Galletta delivers classic sweet-tart balance, Chandler offers the bright sweetness that built its reputation, Valley Sunset closes the June season with light, sweet, glossy berries, and Albion brings firm, balanced flavor across the whole summer and fall. Variety in your harvest, not just quantity. About the Varieties: Galletta (Early Season) — A USDA Beltsville release widely used across mid-Atlantic and Southeast plasticulture. Firm, medium-large fruit with reliable early yields. Gets your harvest started 1-2 weeks before mid-season varieties.Chandler (Early-Mid Season) — The Southeast U-pick standard since 1983. Large, sweet, attractive bright red berries with flavor that's still hard to beat after 40+ years. Cold-hardy down to about 10°F. The strawberry that customers ask for by name.Valley Sunset (Very Late Season) — Bred at AAFC Kentville in Nova Scotia, this variety ripens 7-10 days after Cabot, pushing your harvest into July. Large, light red, glossy berries with sweet, mild flavor. Clean foliage and strong cold hardiness.Albion (Day-Neutral, Late Spring through Frost) — UC Davis's 2006 release and the benchmark day-neutral variety in North America. Large, firm, conical bright red berries with sweet, balanced classic flavor. Produces continuously from late spring through frost, dramatically extending your fresh strawberry season beyond what June-bearing varieties alone can deliver. How are they sold? This bundle includes 12 plants total: 3 of each variety. Plants arrive plug plants (fall shipping) — please unpack as soon as you receive them, water well, and keep in the shade for the first couple of days before planting. Our Growing Approach: Every plant in this bundle is grown using organic and regenerative practices on our Ohio nursery. We focus on building strong, healthy transplants through biological soil management rather than synthetic inputs. The result is plants that establish quickly and adapt well to your conditions, whether you're growing organically or conventionally. Planting Instructions: Choose a well-draining location with at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight. Prepare the soil by incorporating compost or organic matter to improve fertility. Take a soil test to see what additional nutrients you may need. Plant the strawberries at a depth where the crown is just above the soil surface — too deep and the crown rots, too shallow and the roots dry out. Space plants 12-18 inches apart in rows 3-4 feet apart for matted-row systems. For plasticulture, plant 12 inches apart on double-row raised beds. Water well after planting and maintain consistent moisture throughout the establishment period (especially the first 4-6 weeks). Full planting instructions will be included with your order. Bundle Tip: Albion is a heavy runner producer. In matted-row systems, expect to manage runners actively to keep your beds productive. In plasticulture annual hill systems, simply remove runners as they appear so the plant's energy goes into fruit production. Non-GMO Commitment: At Growing Farmers and The Farm on Central, all our plants are guaranteed non-GMO and not genetically modified in any way, upholding natural breeding methods and promoting sustainable gardening and farming practices. *Note: We reserve the right to change varieties if any of our plugs do not meet our quality standards. If we have to swap out a variety, we will change it with the closest variety available in our nursery.
