Cavendish (MA)

Quick Facts

• Type: June-bearing strawberry
• Season: Mid-season with a long harvest window
• Flavor: Excellent, full strawberry flavor for fresh eating, pies, and jams
• Berry: Large, dark red berries with good firmness; color may be lighter if night temperatures stay above 65°F during ripening
• Plant habit: Moderately vigorous plants producing high yields over an extended season
• Best for: Commercial and home plantings in cold areas, especially the northern third of Minnesota
• Hardiness & disease: Very winter hardy; highly resistant to red stele with some resistance to Verticillium wilt

Cavendish, bred in Kentville, Nova Scotia, is a cold-hardy strawberry that has become the most popular variety in the northern third of Minnesota. It produces high yields of large, dark red berries with excellent flavor and overall quality, making it a solid choice for both fresh market sales and processing into pies, jams, and frozen packs. The harvest stretches over a relatively long period, giving growers a steady supply of marketable fruit.

The variety combines winter hardiness with strong disease resistance, including high resistance to red stele and some resistance to Verticillium wilt, which helps stands stay productive in challenging soils. Plants have moderate vigor and respond well to standard renovation and fertility programs. In hot conditions where night temperatures remain above about 65°F, berries may not color fully, but flavor remains good. For northern growers seeking a dependable, high-yielding mid-season variety, Cavendish is a proven performer.

For spacing guidelines and plant counts tailored to mid-season June-bearing strawberries, see our Strawberry Spacing & Planting Guide before planting.