Family Owned Since 1979
Cultivating Gardeners

MARSHALL

MARSHALL

Product Description:

(June bearing) A strawberry so delicious it was given as a gift to Kings and Queens and dubbed the “Finest eating strawberry in all of America.” Marshall strawberry has been resurrected from relative obscurity, and we are very honored to offer it—ready to once again grace our gardens with its juicy, sweet flavor. Discovered in a Massachusetts garden over 125 years ago, Marshall was so prized that Pioneers carried it across the continent. It found a home in the Northwest, thriving and eventually becoming the signature taste Washington and Oregon’s entire frozen fruit industry was built on. And then disaster struck. In the 1940’s diseases imported across the ocean effectively wiped Marshall out of production. The only surviving plants went into hiding in a select few isolated gardens. Decades later and Marshall had become a myth, a legend gardeners told each other over trowels. Then in 2004 something beautiful happened, Marshall was rediscovered and put on the endangered food list. Through careful cultivation the plant is back in circulation and is once again beloved by foodies, chefs, and flavor connoisseurs everywhere. Despite its knockout success and hordes of adoring fans, Marshall will never again be a major food production icon. Like our cherished heirloom tomatoes, the fruit is too fragile to ship to stores or markets. But with love and care, Marshall can once again be the treasure of any home garden. Hardy in zones 5-9. 

Marshall plants are shipped in either mid-April or mid-May in 3 ½ inch pots. Order early for best availability. Detailed planting information and growing instructions are included with each order. Not available to US Territories or Canada.
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PLANT

$24.95

$24.95

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Customer Reviews

Based on 15 reviews
53%
(8)
13%
(2)
27%
(4)
7%
(1)
0%
(0)
T
Teresa F.
So far so good

This plant was at first in a pot, then I planted it in a sunny location. It has made a lot of daughter plants, but not any fruit. Since it was so expensive, I didn't cut the runners. That way I can propagate the plants. So I'm hoping to establish a nice raised bed full of Marshall daughters and maybe granddaughters!

N
Nancy S.
May be the soil?

They are not thriving, but the potting soil I used was billed as to be used in either raised beds or container pots. I believe I should have used straight potting soil. I have a couple of runners and plan on potting them in real potting soil. We will see.

N
Nancy A.
So exciting!

I have my Marshall mama in a big wide window sill currently air-layering a baby train. Three are rooted and almost ready to start the next batch. I'm still working on a deer-proof garden so none will go in the ground until next spring. I'll probably stop at a dozen babies and overwinter all in the greenhouse. That should give a great start to a very coveted strawberry patch. I'm so pleased to have access to this heirloom. Thank you!!!

D
Dianne J.L.
Also not a fan

Bought 3 plants two years ago. The plants grew like crazy and I gave away about 75 plants the next spring due to space issues. The berries are really tasty but small and fragile. I saved some plants for this year but looking at transitioning to a more traditional berry going forward. It you have a lot of garden space (I don't) these berries would be fun to try. If you want to use them in your kitchen for breakfast, desserts or cooking and space is precious, I would suggest a more traditional variety. (Speaking here more as a cook than a gardener). The plants themselves were healthy and vigorous. Production moderate but tasty. A bit too expensive as well but fun to try.

Soil Temp for Germ 65–75°F
Seed Depth Press into soil lightly
Days to Emergence 2–6 wks
Plant Spacing 8–12"
Fertilizer Needs Medium
Minimum Germination 60%
Seeds per Gram Listed per variety
Seed Life 2 years

Fragaria vesca

Culture
• Strawberries require fertile, well-drained soil, high in organic matter, with an optimum soil pH of 5.5-6.5
• Prepare beds by deeply digging in a 1 inch layer of compost and 5 pounds of bone meal for 100 square feet
• Plant in raised beds, and cover with plastic or straw mulch to prevent fruit contact with soil, which can cause rot
• Keep beds evenly moist, use drip irrigation if possible, avoid wetting fruit; plants need 1-1 1/2 inches of water per week during the growing season
• Pinch off runners to keep plants productive
• June bearing: Produce berries over a 2-3 week period in early summer
• Everbearing: Produce berries consistently from late spring through fall

Direct Sowing
• Direct seed outside as soon as the soil warms

Transplanting
• Sow indoors 2 months before last frost date
• Strawberry seeds need light to germinate
• Keep moist with a mister
• Up-pot at 3-4 weeks and transplant outside after the danger of frost has passed

Insects & Diseases
• Common pests: Root weevils, aphids, and slugs
• Pest control: Neem oil or Pyrethrin, and baits or traps for slugs
• Common diseases: Mold, mildew, root rot and verticilium wilt
• Disease control: Rotate every 3-4 years with new plants, Greencure®



Strawberry Plants

Fragaria x ananassa

Culture
• Strawberries require fertile, well-drained soil, high in organic matter, with an optimum soil pH of 5.5-6.5
• Prepare beds by deeply digging in a 1 inch layer of compost and 5 pounds of bone meal for 100 square feet
• Plant in raised beds, and cover with plastic or straw mulch to prevent fruit contact with soil, which can cause rot
• Keep beds evenly moist, use drip irrigation if possible, avoid wetting fruit; plants need 1-1 1/2 inches of water per week during the growing season
• Plant 12-15 inches apart in all directions
• Pinch off runners to keep plants productive
• June bearing: Produce berries over a 2-3 week period in early summer
• Everbearing/Day Neutral: Produce berries consistently from late spring through fall

Planting
• Plant in 4 inch pots and hold for a few weeks if soil is not ready when you receive plants
• Dig in 1/4 cup complete fertilizer per plant
• Pinch off blossoms of everbearing varieties until July 1st of the first year
• Pinch off blossoms of June bearing varieties the entire first year

Insects & Diseases
• Common pests: Root weevils, aphids, and slugs
• Pest control: Neem oil or Pyrethrin, and baits or traps for slugs
• Common diseases: Mold, mildew, root rot and verticilium wilt
• Disease control: Rotate every 3-4 years with new plants, Greencure®

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