Albion Strawberry (Jumbo 6-Pack)
Albion Strawberry (Jumbo 6-Pack)
Large, Firm, Sweet Day-Neutral Berries All Season Long
Albion Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa 'Albion', sold as a Jumbo 6-Pack) is a premium day-neutral variety that fruits steadily from early summer through fall — not just one June flush. The conical berries are large, firm, deep red inside and out, and exceptionally sweet, and the plants carry strong disease resistance. Whether you're planting a backyard bed in Edina, filling a raised bed in Maple Grove, or growing berries in containers in Woodbury — Albion delivers a long strawberry season in zone 4b–5a gardens.
Albion Strawberry Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Fragaria × ananassa 'Albion' |
| Plant Type | Day-neutral strawberry (perennial); sold as a Jumbo 6-Pack |
| Mature Height | 8–12 inches; low, spreading |
| Spacing | 12–18 inches apart |
| Sun | Full sun (6–8 hours) for the sweetest, heaviest crop |
| Water | Moderate — 1–1.5 inches per week; shallow roots need steady moisture |
| USDA Zones | 4–8 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a) |
| Soil | Rich, well-draining; amend Minnesota clay-loam with compost. Slightly acidic is ideal. |
| Bearing Type | Day-neutral — fruits continually from early summer into fall |
| Pollination | Self-fertile — bees boost fruit size and shape |
| Winter Hardiness | Hardy to zone 4 with a straw mulch over winter |
Albion Strawberry Uses in Minnesota Gardens
All-season fresh berries
As a day-neutral type, Albion keeps producing through summer and fall rather than a single June burst — perfect for steady fresh eating in a Plymouth garden.
Raised beds and containers
Its tidy, low habit suits raised beds, strawberry pots, and hanging baskets on a patio in Eden Prairie.
Edible edging and groundcover
Use plants as an edible edging along a sunny bed; they spread modestly to fill in.
Best Time to Plant Albion Strawberry in Minnesota
Plant in spring (early-mid May) once hard frost has passed, giving the plants the whole season to establish and fruit. Day-neutrals can begin producing their first season. Never plant after mid-October.
How to Plant Albion Strawberry
- Choose a full-sun, well-drained bed; avoid spots where tomatoes, peppers, or potatoes recently grew (shared diseases).
- Work in plenty of compost. Space plants 12–18 inches apart.
- Set each crown so the base of the crown sits right at soil level — not buried, not exposed. Burying or exposing the crown causes failure.
- Water in well and mulch with straw to keep berries clean and roots cool.
- Pinch off the first flush of flowers for a few weeks after planting to build strong plants and a bigger later crop.
- In late fall, cover plants with 3–4 inches of straw for winter; remove it in early spring.
Watering Albion Strawberry in Minnesota
First Year Watering Schedule
- Weeks 1–2: Every 1–2 days, keeping soil consistently moist
- Month 1–2: Every 2–3 days
- Month 3–6: 1–1.5 inches per week, more during fruiting and heat
- Stop supplemental watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze (typically late October in the Twin Cities).
After Year One
Keep evenly moist throughout the long fruiting season. Renew straw mulch to conserve moisture and keep berries off the soil.
What does "day-neutral" mean?
Day-neutral strawberries fruit continuously through the season regardless of day length, rather than the single early-summer crop of June-bearers — so you pick berries from summer into fall.
Should I pinch the first flowers?
Yes — removing blooms for the first few weeks after planting builds bigger, stronger plants and a heavier crop later that same season.
Will it survive a Minnesota winter?
Yes, to zone 4 — cover the bed with 3–4 inches of straw in late fall and pull it back in early spring. Protect container plants more carefully.
You May Also Like
- Eversweet Strawberry — another everbearing/day-neutral type
- Honeoye Strawberry — a heavy June-bearing variety
- Heritage Raspberry — easy everbearing cane fruit
How Many Albion Strawberry Do I Need?
Space plants about 12–18 inches apart in a bed or row. A Jumbo 6-Pack plants roughly 6–9 row feet; here's bed coverage at 15 in spacing:
| Bed area | Plants needed (15 in apart) |
|---|---|
| 10 sq ft | ~6 |
| 20 sq ft | ~12 |
| 40 sq ft | ~25 |
| 4 ft row | 3–4 |
Albion Strawberry Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Plants leaf out; pinch the first flowers for a few weeks to build strong crowns.
- Summer: Large, firm, sweet day-neutral berries begin and keep coming through the heat.
- Fall: Fruiting continues right up to frost — the long-season payoff of a day-neutral.
- Winter: Dormant under a 3–4 inch straw mulch; pull it back in early spring.
At a Glance
✔ Edible ✔ Pollinator-Friendly
Plant It With
- Eversweet Strawberry — another day-neutral to stretch the harvest.
- Honeoye Strawberry — a heavy June-bearer for one big early flush.
- Jewel Strawberry — a large-fruited June-bearer for preserving.
- Heritage Raspberry — easy everbearing cane fruit for the same berry patch.
Is Albion Strawberry Right for Your Yard?
It thrives in full sun on rich, well-drained (slightly acidic) soil with steady moisture — ideal for raised beds, containers, or an edible edging. Not a fit in soggy soil or deep shade, and the shallow crowns must sit right at soil level, never buried.