Jewel Strawberry (Jumbo 6-Pack)
Jewel Strawberry (Jumbo 6-Pack)
Large, Firm, Exceptionally Flavorful Mid-Season Berries
Jewel Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa 'Jewel', sold as a Jumbo 6-Pack) is a premium June-bearing variety beloved for its outstanding flavor — large, firm, glossy red berries with the kind of sweet, classic taste that makes it a favorite for fresh eating, freezing, and shortcake. It ripens mid- to late season, extending the June harvest, and is reliable in the North. Whether you're planting a backyard patch in Edina, filling a raised bed in Maple Grove, or growing dessert berries in Woodbury — Jewel delivers top-flavor fruit in zone 4b–5a gardens.
Jewel Strawberry Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Fragaria × ananassa 'Jewel' |
| Plant Type | June-bearing strawberry (perennial); sold as a Jumbo 6-Pack |
| Mature Height | 8–12 inches; low, spreading; sends out runners |
| Spacing | 12–18 inches apart |
| Sun | Full sun (6–8 hours) for the best flavor and 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 | June-bearing — one concentrated crop, mid- to late season |
| Pollination | Self-fertile — bees boost fruit size and shape |
| Winter Hardiness | Hardy to zone 4 with a straw mulch over winter |
Jewel Strawberry Uses in Minnesota Gardens
Top-flavor harvest
Jewel is the one to grow for dessert-quality flavor — plant it for fresh eating and shortcake in a Plymouth garden. Pair with an early variety like Honeoye to lengthen the season.
Matted-row beds
Its runners suit the traditional matted-row system in a dedicated bed in Eden Prairie.
Freezing and preserving
Firm flesh holds shape well for freezing and jam.
Best Time to Plant Jewel Strawberry in Minnesota
Plant in spring (early-mid May) once hard frost has passed. Pinch first-year flowers so plants establish for a big crop the following June. Never plant after mid-October.
How to Plant Jewel 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 off all first-year flowers so plants build strong roots for a heavy crop next June.
- Cover with 3–4 inches of straw in late fall; remove it in early spring.
Watering Jewel 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
- Stop supplemental watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze (typically late October in the Twin Cities).
After Year One
Water steadily through bloom and fruiting. After the June crop, renovate the bed (mow old leaves, thin plants) to keep it productive.
What is Jewel best known for?
Flavor — it's widely considered one of the best-tasting June-bearers, with large, firm, sweet berries.
Why pinch the first-year flowers?
For June-bearers, removing the first season's blooms builds stronger plants and a much larger crop the following June.
Will it survive a Minnesota winter?
Yes, to zone 4 — mulch with straw in late fall and remove it in early spring.
You May Also Like
- Honeoye Strawberry — an early June-bearer to start the season
- Albion Strawberry — a day-neutral for season-long picking
- Fort Laramie Strawberry — an extra-hardy everbearer