Fort Laramie Strawberry (Jumbo 6-Pack)
Fort Laramie Strawberry (Jumbo 6-Pack)
Large, Sweet, Fragrant Everbearing Berries on an Extra-Hardy Plant
Fort Laramie Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa 'Fort Laramie', sold as a Jumbo 6-Pack) was bred for the northern plains, giving it standout cold hardiness plus large, sweet, intensely fragrant red berries from early summer into fall. As an everbearer, it produces over a long season, and it spreads readily by runners. Whether you're planting a backyard bed in Edina, filling a raised bed in Maple Grove, or growing in a tough, cold corner of Woodbury — Fort Laramie is an exceptionally hardy choice for zone 4b–5a (and colder) gardens.
Fort Laramie Strawberry Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Fragaria × ananassa 'Fort Laramie' |
| Plant Type | Everbearing strawberry (perennial); sold as a Jumbo 6-Pack |
| Mature Height | 8–12 inches; low, spreading; runs freely |
| Spacing | 12–18 inches apart |
| Sun | Full sun (6–8 hours) for the sweetest crop |
| Water | Moderate — 1–1.5 inches per week; shallow roots need steady moisture |
| USDA Zones | 3–8 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a) |
| Soil | Rich, well-draining; amend Minnesota clay-loam with compost. Slightly acidic is ideal. |
| Bearing Type | Everbearing — fruits early summer and again in fall |
| Pollination | Self-fertile — bees boost fruit size and shape |
| Winter Hardiness | Exceptional — hardy to zone 3 (and colder) with straw mulch |
Fort Laramie Strawberry Uses in Minnesota Gardens
Cold-climate berry bed
Its plains-bred hardiness makes Fort Laramie a reliable everbearer for exposed or northern Twin Cities yards in Plymouth.
Fragrant fresh eating
The sweet, aromatic berries are excellent fresh, and the long season keeps them coming in Eden Prairie.
Groundcover and baskets
Its free-running habit makes a productive edible groundcover, and it also performs in hanging baskets.
Best Time to Plant Fort Laramie Strawberry in Minnesota
Plant in spring (early-mid May) once hard frost has passed, giving plants the season to establish and fruit. Never plant after mid-October.
How to Plant Fort Laramie Strawberry
- Choose a full-sun, well-drained bed; avoid spots where tomatoes, peppers, or potatoes recently grew (shared diseases).
- Work in compost. Space plants 12–18 inches apart, allowing room for runners.
- Set each crown so its base sits right at soil level — not buried, not exposed.
- Water in well and mulch with straw to keep berries clean and roots cool.
- Pinch the first flush of flowers for a few weeks after planting to build stronger plants.
- Cover with 3–4 inches of straw in late fall; remove it in early spring.
Watering Fort Laramie 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 through the long fruiting season and renew straw mulch to hold moisture and keep berries clean.
How hardy is Fort Laramie?
Exceptionally — it was developed for the northern Great Plains and survives to zone 3 and below with a straw mulch, making it one of the toughest everbearers for our region.
Should I let the runners grow?
For an everbearer, many gardeners remove most runners to channel energy into fruit; let a few root if you want the patch to fill in.
Will it survive a Minnesota winter?
Yes — among the hardiest strawberries available. Mulch with straw in late fall and remove it in early spring.
You May Also Like
- Eversweet Strawberry — a heat-tolerant everbearer
- Albion Strawberry — a premium day-neutral
- Honeoye Strawberry — a heavy early June-bearer
How Many Fort Laramie Strawberries Do I Need?
Space plants 12–18 in apart, allowing room for runners, which root in to fill the bed as an edible groundcover.
| Bed Size | Plants Needed (~15 in spacing) |
|---|---|
| 4 ft × 4 ft | ~10 |
| 4 ft × 8 ft | ~20 |
| 4 ft × 12 ft | ~30 |
Fort Laramie Strawberry Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Plains-bred crowns emerge tough and early; white flowers open and runners begin.
- Summer: Large, sweet, intensely fragrant berries in an early-summer flush; runners spread the patch.
- Fall: A second flush of fruit before frost on this everbearer.
- Winter: Among the hardiest strawberries (to zone 3 and colder under straw) — dormant and bulletproof in Twin Cities cold.
At a Glance
✔ Edible ✔ Pollinator-Friendly
Plant It With
- Eversweet Strawberry — a heat-tolerant everbearer to pair for a long season.
- Albion Strawberry — a premium day-neutral with firm, sweet fruit.
- Honeoye Strawberry — a heavy early June crop.
- Jewel Strawberry — a flavorful June-bearer for variety.
Is Fort Laramie Strawberry Right for Your Yard?
Bred for the northern plains, Fort Laramie is the strawberry to choose for exposed, cold, or northern Twin Cities yards — give it full sun, compost-rich well-drained soil, and a straw mulch and it runs freely into a productive patch. It's the wrong choice for a wet, shaded corner where the crowns rot and runners can't establish.