Tristar

Family: Rosaceae Fruit

Sun-warmed Tristar strawberries burst with a bright, classic berry fragrance and a sweet-tart, candy-red flavor that feels vivid from the first bite.

The fruit is medium to large with a glossy, conical shape and a firm, juicy texture that holds its character beautifully for fresh enjoyment and preserves alike. Grow Tristar for a reliable, home-garden harvest at about 70 days—ideal for turning baskets into fragrant, ruby-red highlights across the season.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 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	Jul 4th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	70
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Perennial_Crown
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Tristar’s firm, juicy flesh stands up to quick maceration, so you get real strawberry fruit in the bowl rather than a fast-melting paste. The sweet-tart punch and perfume are built for cold applications—think cream, vanilla, and a hit of lemon—then hold their own in preserves where color stays ruby-red.

Best Uses

fresh eating in sliced salads where they can keep their shape
quick maceration for spoonable topping (held, not soupy)
canning or freezer preserves for vivid candy-red color and texture
folding into whipped cream or yogurt for a clean, fragrant finish

Flavor Profile

bright sweet-tart flavor classic strawberry perfume medium-large berries with firm, juicy bite

Kitchen Pairings

balsamic vinegar heavy cream vanilla lemon zest dark chocolate

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Fragaria × ananassa (eversweet-type ‘Tristar’) leaves developing brown spots or turning yellow, and what should I do?

Brown, irregular leaf spots and yellowing are common with fungal leaf blights on strawberries, especially in wet, crowded growth. Remove and discard infected leaves, then improve airflow by thinning runner crowding and keeping foliage dry; water at the soil line, not overhead. If the problem keeps spreading, use a label-approved fungicide for strawberries and apply according to the interval on the product.

How often should I water ‘Tristar’ strawberries during the main growing phase?

During active flowering and fruiting, keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy—aim for about 1 inch of water per week split across a couple waterings, adjusted for heat and container size. Check by pushing a finger 1–2 inches into the soil; it should feel evenly moist, not dry and not waterlogged. Use mulch to stabilize moisture and reduce splashing that feeds leaf diseases.

How can I tell when ‘Tristar’ strawberries are ready to harvest?

Harvest when berries are fully red (no white shoulders) and the seeds (achenes) look dry and set rather than pale. Pick every 1–2 days once they start ripening, since ‘Tristar’ produces on a continuous schedule and overripe berries can soften quickly. For best flavor, harvest in the morning and cool promptly after picking.