Description of Kimberly strawberries, growing features

When growing strawberries, many people try to get the harvest as early as possible. Early ripening Kimberly strawberries, a description of the variety, photos and reviews of gardeners for which are given below, were bred in Holland. Due to its high taste, versatility of use, and good transportability, the berry has gained popularity in many countries.

In Russia, the variety passed breeding tests and was approved for cultivation in several regions with warm climates. To get a bountiful harvest at the end of May, experts recommend sticking to planting dates, following the watering and fertilizing regime.

The photo shows Kimberly in the process of ripening: the berries ripen gradually, new ovaries are constantly formed.

Origin of the Kimberley strawberry

The full name of the variety is Vima Kimberly, and is listed in the State Register as wild strawberry, not strawberry. By its origin, Kimberly is a hybrid, as it was obtained by cross-pollination of two different varieties: Gorella and Chandler. An undoubted advantage for many gardeners is its Dutch origin.

Video: presentation of Kimberly strawberries

An application for variety testing and registration in Russia was submitted in 2008. And only 5 years later the variety was officially recognized and entered into the State Register as zoned for the Central and Central Black Earth regions. Today Kimberly is an international brand. Strawberries spread throughout Europe, were brought to the USA, and are well known in Russia and the CIS.

Characteristics of the variety

The Kimberly bush is powerful, but not dense; large leaves are held on strong and tall petioles. Thanks to this structure, the plant is well ventilated, illuminated by the sun and is little susceptible to disease. However, in cold and damp summers, the leaves may show signs of brown and white spots.

Kimberley bushes are sparse, but tall and powerful

The leaves are concave, with sharp large teeth, painted in a light green, even dull, color. The mustache is thick and grows in small quantities. According to the State Register, the variety is mid-early, although many sellers call it early. This causes confusion. Gardeners dispute the precocity of Kimberly, saying that its berries ripen later than those of the remontant variety Elsinore and almost simultaneously with ordinary (not early) strawberries: Honey, Syria, etc.

Flowering and ripening times depend on the growing region and weather. Even in the same area in different years, Kimberly can sing either in June or July, that is, with a difference of a month. As gardeners say: Kimberley tastes good in good weather. This variety loves the sun very much; if there is a lack of heat, the bushes take a long time to recover after winter, bloom late, the berries color slowly, and lack sugars.

For active growth and abundant flowering, Kimberly needs many warm sunny days.

I always question everything I read on the Internet, even from official sources. But this time, after studying the reviews on the forums and watching the video about Kimberly, I agree with the information from the State Register. Grow this variety only in regions for which it is zoned. Meanwhile, it had already been brought to the Urals and Siberia. The bushes are highly frost-resistant; indeed, they tolerate even the Siberian winter well. But then disappointments begin: in spring and summer, when there is a lack of heat, the bushes do not grow, there are few berries, they are white when cut, the tip of the fruit is not colored, the taste is sour. And all because Kimberly acquires its bright taste only in full ripeness. Gardeners in the south are also disappointed; on the contrary, they have excess heat, so the seedlings do not take root well, again they grow slowly, and the berries bake in the sun and become soft.

In Siberia and the Urals, Kimberly does not ripen every year; the tip of the berry and the pulp inside remain white

When grown in regions for which the variety is zoned, Kimberly berries grow large: the average weight is 20 g, some specimens are 40–50 g. All are leveled, there are no small things, they have a conical shape, without a neck, very much like a voluminous heart. The ripening period is extended. There are never too many red berries on a bush at once. If collected on time, the strawberries will be large and will not be crushed until the end of harvesting. Their flesh is dense, the achenes are depressed, the surface is orange-red, glossy. Tasting score: five out of five. The fruits have a high sugar content - 10%, but are not cloying, there is a pleasant sourness. Some people call Kimberly's taste caramel.

Kimberly is a berry that needs to be allowed to fully ripen, only after that it acquires its caramel taste and strawberry aroma

The description from the State Register mentions the good drought and heat resistance of the variety. However, in this matter she is ready to take the side of gardeners who say that Kimberly loves good watering. In the heat without water, the leaves droop, which is understandable: to maintain a vigorous bush and fill large and juicy berries, moisture is needed, otherwise you will have to pick raisins, not strawberries. Also, the owners of this variety talk about its love for soil fertility; it responds to fertilizing with enhanced bush growth and higher yields.

Advantages and disadvantages of Kimberly strawberries (table)

Peculiarities

1. Due to its high frost resistance, this variety is grown in almost any region of the Russian Federation. But, nevertheless, in the northern regions the plant requires an additional “blanket” for the winter.
2. The main feature of the berry is its taste. It is very reminiscent of caramel.
3. This is one of the most popular varieties in the commercial business.
4. Fruit ripening occurs at the beginning of June. However, if you use the technique of growing bushes in tunnels, then you can shorten the growing season and get the coveted berry in mid-May.

Caring for strawberries in spring, watering and fertilizing

In the spring, immediately after the snow melts, remove all coverings from the strawberry bed. The next spring job will be pruning the spotted and dried leaves. At the same time as this activity, loosen the soil and apply nitrogen fertilizer. It will help the bushes recover faster and not get chlorosis. In total, at least three feedings will be required per season:

1. In early spring, during the first loosening, add an infusion of mullein (1:10), bird droppings (1:20), a solution of horse extract (50 g per 10 l of water), urea (30 g per 10 l), ammonium nitrate (30 g per 10 l). l) or any other fertilizer containing mostly nitrogen. Use 0.5 liters of liquid fertilizer per bush.
2. During the period when the buds are coming out, wood ash is good - 1-2 tbsp. l. under a bush or a purchased complex mixture with microelements (Fertika, Clean Sheet, etc.). There should be less nitrogen in this fertilizer than potassium and phosphorus.
3. In the fall, at the end of the growing season, make grooves along the rows of strawberries 15 cm deep and scatter 1 tbsp along them evenly for each linear meter. l. superphosphate and any potassium salt without chlorine. Water and level.

To increase productivity, foliar feeding is also done: by flower with a solution of boric acid (1 g of crystals per 10 liters of water) and in August, when next year’s flower buds are laid, with urea (15 g per 10 liters of water).

Video: the simplest scheme for feeding strawberries and strawberries

As for irrigation, the most hassle-free solution would be to install a drip irrigation system. If this is not possible, water based on the condition of the soil. Near Kimberley, it should be constantly moist to a depth of 30 cm. In rainy summers, watering will not be needed, but in hot weather you will have to water 2-3 liters per bush every other day.

A drip irrigation system will save you from hard physical labor - watering each bush from a watering can or bucket

Necessary agricultural technology

There are no particular difficulties in caring for Kimberly strawberry plantings. It remains necessary to remove weeds, loosen the soil, fertilize, preventive protective treatments, and constantly remove excess tendrils not intended for reproduction.

Strawberries "Vima Kimberly" are easy to propagate by mustaches (daughter rosettes), but for primary planting it is better to purchase high-quality seedlings from trusted producers

This variety is very sensitive to lack of moisture and prefers daily, fairly abundant watering, especially during hot dry periods and at the initial stage of the growing season. Even with excess moisture in rainy years, the berries do not become watery and less sweet. For planting, you should choose flat areas, well-lit by the sun, with loose, fertile (pre-fertilized) soil.

The best predecessors for strawberries are: legumes, parsley, garlic, radishes, mustard; unsuitable - tomatoes, potatoes, cucumbers, cabbage, sunflowers.

It is preferable to plant seedlings in early spring or early autumn, in cloudy weather. In order not to thicken the planting, the distance between the bushes is left at least 35 cm. Plants of this variety can easily tolerate winter cold, but for reliability it is recommended to cover them with coniferous spruce branches, which retain snow and protect the strawberry root system from freezing.

Pest and disease control

An important measure when growing strawberries is protection from pests and diseases. There is no need to wait for signs of infection to appear. It is better to carry out preventive spraying than to lose the harvest, and if the infection is severe, the bushes may die entirely. Strawberries have several pests: nematodes, mites, aphids, and weevils. All of them begin to actively feed during the period of growth of young leaves and extension of flower stalks. To get rid of insects, use a broad-spectrum systemic insecticide, for example, Karbofos (60 g per 10 l of water) or Aktara (2-3 g powder per 10 l). These drugs will make strawberries poisonous to pests for 1–2 weeks. Then repeat the processing.

The results of the activity of the most dangerous pest of the crop - the strawberry mite, it settles at the growth point, young leaves grow slowly, become deformed, dry out

Using the same scheme, spray strawberries against all fungal diseases. Use systemic fungicides for this: HOM, Skor, Bordeaux mixture, Ridomil, etc. Apply the first treatment to young leaves, including the soil under the bushes. Repeat after 10–14 days. Change the medications every year to prevent fungi and insects from developing immunity against them.

How to propagate strawberries

This variety can be propagated by any of the existing methods:

1. Vegetatively.
2. Seeds.
3. Dividing the bush.

The most reliable way to obtain good seedlings is considered to be vegetative propagation. The Kimberley variety produces a small amount of whiskers. They can be rooted and then used as individual bushes.

Propagation by seeds

Before the onset of winter, seeds are placed in a container with fertile soil (the soil must first be moistened with water). They are placed directly on the soil without submerging it. The container with the seeds is covered with film. Every day the film will need to be removed so that the container is ventilated. The soil should be watered as needed when it is dry. After sprouts form, the film is completely removed.

When the plant has several leaves, it can already be taken out for hardening. Then the strawberries are transplanted into open ground, to their permanent place. This method is not very popular among gardeners, as it is quite complex and, moreover, strawberries tend (when grown by seeds) to lose their original qualities.

Reproduction by mustache

This method is the most popular. For propagation by mustaches, the strongest two-year-old plants are selected. The mustaches on the selected plants are not cut off. When rosettes appear on the whiskers, they are buried a little into the ground. The soil around the buried rosettes is watered. You can also transplant the rosettes into separate containers, which is considered more preferable.

Reproduction by dividing the bush

This method of propagation is less popular than propagation by mustache. Reproduction by division occurs as follows:

1. The strongest bush is selected.
2. They dig it up and divide its root system into several parts. It is desirable that each part has a heart.
3. After this, the bushes are transplanted to a new location.

Purpose of the harvest

The Kimberly berry is dense and retains its shape well. The harvest is easy to transport and can be stored in the refrigerator for 2–3 days. The main purpose of this variety is table, that is, fresh consumption. Excess can be frozen, processed into preserves, jams, compotes, homemade marmalade. The berries have a pleasant strawberry aroma, which intensifies when dried. Dry the smallest berries from the last harvest so that you can use them in winter to make fragrant vitamin tea.

Kimberly is a table variety, created for fresh consumption.

Reviews

Marina Shmel, Sumy: Kimberly bush is powerful, medium foliage, grows well. The berries are large, shiny, marketable. The taste is pleasant, not cloyingly sweet or sour, balanced. Immunity is excellent.

Anna Ovcharenko, Kursk: The Kimberly variety was a discovery for me. And, I must say, pleasant. The bushes are strong, resistant to spotting and gray rot. The fruits are large, sweet, with a pleasant strawberry taste.

Elena Lysova, Voronezh region: Excellent variety. The berries are tasty, aromatic, moderately sweet, and have a wonderful appearance. Their size is large, there are practically no small items. They do not ripen at the same time, but you can stretch out the pleasure of eating delicious strawberries.