Alexandria

Family: Rosaceae Fruit

Aromatically sweet and intensely fragrant, Alexandria berries glow with a delicate, alpine charm—tender, juicy flesh wrapped in a bright, glossy skin.

Expect petite, conical berries with a soft bite and a classic strawberry perfume that shines in fresh harvests and makes a memorable centerpiece for fruit-forward preserves and quick pickles. Ideal for gardeners who want a compact, early crop (about 60 days) that keeps rewarding with flavor from the first ripening through the season.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Perennial_Crown

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 24th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Perennial_Crown
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	60
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Alexandria (alpine-style) strawberries are all fragrance and delicate structure—use them with restraint so their glossy skin and tender bite don’t collapse into mush. They’re especially good when served cool and bright (yogurt, crème fraîche, quick pickle) where the perfume reads first and the sweetness lands clean.

Best Uses

fresh-mac eruptions over yogurt with zero dilution
quick pickles (vinegar-sugar) to keep the perfume crisp, not jammy
small-batch preserves where the fruit stays identifiable
thin-sliced topping for shortbread or sponge so it doesn’t weep

Flavor Profile

perfumed strawberry sweetness tender, juicy flesh with a soft snap bright, lightly tart finish

Kitchen Pairings

fresh mint balsamic vinegar Greek yogurt crème fraîche white chocolate black pepper

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common disease/pest problem for Alexandria (an onion-type crop), and how do I fix it?

Onions like Alexandria commonly get downy mildew and leaf blight (purple/gray streaks and fuzzy growth on leaf tips), especially in cool, humid weather. Remove and discard badly spotted leaves, then thin for airflow and avoid wetting the foliage when watering. If problems keep spreading, use a labeled fungicide for onions and reapply according to the label after rain or heavy dew.

How often should I water Alexandria onions during the main growing phase?

After seedlings establish, keep soil evenly moist but not soggy by watering about once or twice per week, aiming for roughly 1 inch (2.5 cm) total per week depending on heat and rainfall. Check at the 2–3 inch depth—if it’s dry there, water; if it’s wet or muddy, pause watering. About 2–3 weeks before harvest, gradually reduce watering to help bulbs dry down and cure properly.

How can I tell when Alexandria onions are ready to harvest at about 60 days?

Harvest when tops begin to yellow and fall over, usually around 60 days for many varieties, and when bulbs are fully sized with papery skins. Stop watering once most plants have flopped so the necks dry; pull bulbs on a dry day to reduce rot risk. If you’re unsure, gently lift a bulb—if the outer skin is dry and tight and the neck feels constricted, it’s harvest time.