Quinault

Family: Rosaceae Fruit

Aromas of sun-warmed berries rise at first touch—Quinault Strawberry delivers a lush, sweet-tart perfume with a vivid, glossy red that practically glows in the garden.

The fruit is richly juicy and tender-fleshed, with a classic strawberry snap and a balanced flavor that shines whether you savor it fresh or let it become a centerpiece for preserves and sauces. Grow Quinault for a generous, early-to-season harvest that turns beds and containers into a living ribbon of color.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Clumping

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	Jul 24th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

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)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	5

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Quinault leans into the classic strawberry hit—aromatic, juicy, and tender with a satisfying snap—so it stays vivid even when you move fast with sugar and a short maceration. Use it where the fruit flavor has the mic: dairy, vanilla, citrus, and chocolate that can hold up to that bright, balanced tang.

Best Uses

eat-in-hand and sliced with minimal meddling (honey/cream)
quick-macerated strawberries for spooning over pancakes or yogurt
jam or sauce where you want fruit-forward brightness without tasting flat or stewy

Flavor Profile

sweet-tart, sun-warmed berry perfume glossy, juicy tenderness with a clean snap balanced acidity that doesn’t claw at the palate

Kitchen Pairings

vanilla fine dairy (fresh cream, crème fraîche, mascarpone) lemon zest dark chocolate basil

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common disease pest issue for Fragaria × ananassa (quinault strawberries) in home gardens, and how do I manage it?

Watch for gray mold (Botrytis) on berries, especially when plants stay wet or fruit touches soil. Remove and discard infected berries immediately, improve airflow with wider spacing, and water at the soil line (not over the leaves). If you’re seeing repeated outbreaks, use a strawberry-safe fungicide labeled for edible fruit and follow the label reapplication interval.

How often should I water Fragaria × ananassa during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture level should I maintain?

During active growth and fruiting, keep soil consistently moist but not soggy—aim for about 1–1.5 inches of water per week, split into 1–2 deep waterings. Let the top 1 inch of soil dry slightly between waterings so roots don’t sit in water. Mulch can help stabilize moisture, which reduces berry rot.

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

Harvest when berries are fully red (no white or green shoulders), glossy, and easily detach when you gently lift and twist. For best flavor, pick in the morning after dew dries but before the hottest part of the day. If berries still taste tart and hard, leave them a few more days on the plant to finish ripening.