Raising strawberries in Minnesota

[Questor]

We've got a little strawberry patch on a southern exposure that gives us some really excellent ever-bearing and June bearing strawberries. The flavor is out of this world. The berries are smaller than commercial berries, but they taste infinitely better.

Soil is sandy, augmented with composted manure. Twice-monthly feedings are with Miracle Grow. Daily vigilance is needed because there's a but that swarms them all of a sudden each June and the whole patch can be wiped out in a day. When they come I use use Sevin spray.

Have you got any tips for raising strawberries up north?

[Questor]

We do still have honey bees, but they are not in evidence until well into May because of the cold. Thanks for the great post. I think I better get a book on strawberries. There's more to it than I thought. It's great to have them though. We started the patch a few years ago and we'd like to maintain it and keep it healthy.