SproutSmart
SproutSmart™ Intelligent Garden Sowing

Sweet Charlie

Strawberry
Zone 11a Save Garden

Planting Schedule

Add Sweet Charlie to your garden to build a schedule and get reminders.
Botanical illustration of Sweet Charlie
90d to harvest

Sweet Charlie bursts with a vivid, glossy scarlet sheen and a fragrant, sun-warmed sweetness that feels like summer on the tongue. The berries are medium to large with a classic conical shape, firm yet tender-fleshed, and richly juicy—ideal for savoring at peak ripeness. Grow Sweet Charlie for abundant garden harvests and for making your preserves shine with its bright berry character.

Crop Dates

Growing note: In frost-free Zone 11a, grow this cool-season crop during the cooler dry season (October–February).
MilestoneDate
Start Indoors—
ClimateFrost-Free Climate
Transplant / Sow OutdoorsOct 1st
Harvest BeginsDec 30th
Harvest EndsFeb 28th

Crop Details

TraitValue
Days to Maturity90
Sun RequirementsFull SunFull sun
Growth HabitSpreading
Support NeededNone
Planting DepthNormal
Germination Temp (°F)70
Min Soil Temp (°F)50
Min Night Temp (°F)40
Harden Off (days)Not Required

Today's Conditions

Outdoor planting for Sweet Charlie in Zone 11a typically begins around 2026-10-01. Wait until soil reaches at least 50°F before transplanting Sweet Charlie.

Garden Alerts

In frost-free Zone 11a, grow this cool-season crop during the cooler dry season (October–February).

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Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common disease problem on Fragaria × ananassa (Sweet Charlie), and how do I control it?
A common issue is gray mold (Botrytis) on ripe fruit, especially when nights are cool and humidity stays high. Remove and discard any rotting berries, improve airflow by keeping plants unmulched away from the crown, and water in the morning so foliage dries quickly. If gray mold keeps recurring, use a preventive program with a label-approved fungicide for strawberries and avoid overhead watering.
How can I tell when Sweet Charlie strawberries are ready to harvest?
Harvest when berries are fully red from the top to the tip and the seeds at the surface look slightly raised and dry—not white or pink at the center. Pick every 1–3 days during the ripening window, because Fragaria × ananassa continues producing and berries can over-soften quickly. For best flavor, pick in the morning after dew has dried and before the plants get hot.
Botanical illustration of Sweet Charlie

Sweet Charlie bursts with a vivid, glossy scarlet sheen and a fragrant, sun-warmed sweetness that feels like summer on the tongue. The berries are medium to large with a classic conical shape, firm yet tender-fleshed, and richly juicy—ideal for savoring at peak ripeness. Grow Sweet Charlie for abundant garden harvests and for making your preserves shine with its bright berry character.

Today's Conditions

Outdoor planting for Sweet Charlie in Zone 11a typically begins around 2026-10-01. Wait until soil reaches at least 50°F before transplanting Sweet Charlie.

Garden Alerts

In frost-free Zone 11a, grow this cool-season crop during the cooler dry season (October–February).

Sowing Tips

Soil Temperature

Direct sow or transplant when soil at planting depth holds 50°F for reliable germination and early growth.

Expert Note

Plant crowns at soil level (not buried), keep mulch on once established, and water consistently the first season to lock in strong runners and next year’s yield.