Albion

Family: Rosaceae Fruit

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Albion to a garden.

Aromas of ripe strawberry—sweet, bright, and unmistakably fresh—rise from Albion’s glossy fruit as they ripen.

Albion produces firm, medium-to-large berries with a balanced sweet-tart flavor and a juicy, tender bite, holding their shape beautifully for extended harvest windows. Ideal for home gardeners who want a reliable, repeat-bearing strawberry for fresh enjoyment and for making vibrant sauces and preserves.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Clumping

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Albion Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 25th	Aug 23rd – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Aug 13th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Aug 13th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Aug 17th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Aug 13th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Aug 11th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Aug 6th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Aug 2nd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jul 30th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Jul 24th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Jul 19th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	Jul 9th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	Jun 30th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	Jun 21st – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	Jun 4th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	May 10th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Clumping
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Albion’s standout is the firm, juicy berry with a sweet-tart balance that stays coherent—less “mushy thaw” and more clean spoonable fruit. Choose it for fresh eating or a fast reduction where that ripe strawberry aroma doesn’t evaporate into syrup.

Best Uses

mac in the moment: sliced berries over yogurt with minimal stirring
jam or preserve that sets clean without tasting cooked into oblivion
quick pan-roasted berries for a firmer, glossy reduction that clings to pancakes or cake
strawberry sauce for roast chicken or pork—slick, tangy, and bright

Flavor Profile

balanced sweet-tart snap high-juice, tender bite aromatic ripe-strawberry perfume

Kitchen Pairings

vanilla balsamic vinegar dark chocolate lemon zest yogurt pistachio

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if my Albion strawberries get gray mold (Botrytis) during fruiting?

Gray mold often shows up as fuzzy gray patches on ripening berries, especially when leaves and fruit stay wet. Remove and discard affected berries right away and space plants for better airflow, then water at the soil line (not over the foliage) to keep fruit dry. If it keeps spreading, use a labeled fungicide for strawberries and follow the spray interval on the label.

How often should I water Albion strawberries during the peak growing/fruiting phase?

During fruiting, keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy: aim for about 1 inch of water per week, split into 1–3 sessions depending on heat and rainfall. Check by feeling the top 1 inch of soil—water when it’s dry there, and slow down if you’re getting frequent rain. Mulch helps Albion maintain steady moisture and reduces splashing that can trigger disease.

How can I tell when Albion strawberries are ready to harvest?

Pick Albion when berries are fully red all the way to the tip (no white or pale shoulders) and the fruit is firm but yields slightly with gentle pressure. Harvest every 1–3 days during the ~90-day season to catch peak flavor and prevent overripe berries from turning mushy. For best sweetness and storage, pick in the morning after dew has dried.