SproutSmart
SproutSmart™ Intelligent Garden Sowing

Sparkle

Strawberry
Zone 13a Save Garden

Planting Schedule

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

A luminous berry with a “sparkle” finish—Sparkle strawberries blush into a vivid, glossy red that catches the light like polished gemstones. Expect a sweet, bright flavor with a tender, juicy bite and a pleasantly aromatic texture that holds its charm from the first harvest onward. Ideal for fresh enjoyment, show-stopping desserts, and vibrant preserves that celebrate its fragrant, berry-forward character.

Sowing Tips

Soil Temperature

Direct sow or transplant when soil at planting depth holds 45°F for reliable germination and early growth.

Expert Note

Plant strawberry crowns at soil level (not buried) and keep mulch off the crown to prevent rot.

Crop Dates

Growing note: Frost-free Zone 13a supports continuous outdoor production.
MilestoneDate
ClimateFrost-Free Climate
Growing ApproachContinuous Production

Crop Details

TraitValue
Days to Maturity90
Sun RequirementsFull SunFull sun
Growth HabitMounding
Support NeededNone
Planting DepthNormal
Germination Temp (°F)70
Min Soil Temp (°F)45
Min Night Temp (°F)28
Harden Off (days)7

Today's Conditions

Outdoor planting for Sparkle in Zone 13a typically begins around throughout the growing season. Wait until soil reaches at least 45°F before transplanting Sparkle.

Garden Alerts

Frost-free Zone 13a supports continuous outdoor production.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I manage powdery mildew or botrytis (gray mold) on Fragaria × ananassa (garden strawberry) ‘Sparkle’?
Watch for powdery white patches on leaves (powdery mildew) and fuzzy gray growth on berries (botrytis/gray mold), especially in humid, crowded plantings. Remove and destroy heavily infected leaves or berries promptly, and improve airflow by thinning foliage and keeping berries off wet soil with straw mulch. Water at the soil line in the morning (not overhead), and keep plants evenly spaced to reduce how long foliage stays wet.
How often should I water Fragaria × ananassa during the main fruiting phase?
During fruiting, keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week total from rainfall and irrigation, split into 1–2 deep waterings. Check by feeling the top 1 inch of soil: it should be slightly damp, not dry and crumbly or soggy. Reduce watering after the berries are finished to limit disease pressure (especially gray mold).
How can I tell when Fragaria × ananassa ‘Sparkle’ is ready to harvest?
Harvest when berries are fully red (no white or pale pink shoulders), glossy, and detach easily with a gentle twist. Pick every 1–2 days at peak ripeness, because ‘Fragaria × ananassa’ strawberries can turn from firm to fully ripe quickly. For best flavor, harvest in the morning after dew has dried and before the heat softens the fruit.

Sowing Tips

Soil Temperature

Direct sow or transplant when soil at planting depth holds 45°F for reliable germination and early growth.

Expert Note

Plant strawberry crowns at soil level (not buried) and keep mulch off the crown to prevent rot.

Botanical illustration of Sparkle

A luminous berry with a “sparkle” finish—Sparkle strawberries blush into a vivid, glossy red that catches the light like polished gemstones. Expect a sweet, bright flavor with a tender, juicy bite and a pleasantly aromatic texture that holds its charm from the first harvest onward. Ideal for fresh enjoyment, show-stopping desserts, and vibrant preserves that celebrate its fragrant, berry-forward character.