Giant June-bearing Strawberries from Gurney's

Well, I ended up buying strawberries this year afterall. I was planning on adding a strawberry patch, but had wanted to take the time to prep the bed properly. That probably would have been the better thing to do, but when I saw these, I just had to jump on the chance...for the LOVE of strawberries! Gurney's claims that these
'giant' June-bearing strawberries might grow as large as peaches in my garden.

The bare roots came in the mail yesterday and look really nice--thick, long and healthy looking. Now I have to hurry up and figure out where I am going to put the bed. The place I was thinking of gets some afternoon shade, which is not ideal. Think, think, think!

Update, 2 April 2009: Held the strawberry plants in the fridge until today. Probably too long, but they still look fine. I had finally decided on the only reasonable place; the south side of my fenced in garden. I don't have anywhere else where the ground is even remotely ready for strawberries, and this may not be ideal as there were tomatoes nearby last year...not exactly in this same section, but close enough. My tomatoes never had any wilt that I am aware of, so perhaps the strawberries will be OK.

I was able to get them heeled in before the afternoon thunderstorm hit. Had to get it done, as it may be a few days before the ground is dry enough to work again.

Growing StrawberriesU of I Extension
Growing StrawberriesPurdue
Tips for Growing Strawberries-Horticulture Magazine
Midwest Small Fruit Pest Management Handbook
Growing Fresh Strawberries in the Home Garden