Strawberries are easy to grow and incredibly rewarding when planted and cared for properly. Good site selection, proper planting depth, and seasonal care all play a role in producing sweet, healthy berries year after year.
Quick Strawberry Tips
- Choose a sunny, well-drained location to reduce disease and frost damage.
- Plant crowns just above soil level—too deep causes rot.
- Remove blossoms the first year to encourage stronger plants and bigger harvests.
- Mulch before winter to protect plants and reduce weeds.
Site Selection
Strawberries grow well in most garden soils but perform best in well-drained locations. Avoid low-lying areas where cold air settles, as spring frosts can damage early blossoms.
Soil Preparation
Prepare soil as early as weather allows in spring, working it to a depth of 6–8 inches. Incorporate well-decomposed organic matter such as cotton boll compost or aged manure to improve drainage and moisture retention.
Strawberries prefer reasonably rich soil with a slightly acidic pH of 5.0–6.0. Sandy to slightly gravelly soils are ideal.
Planting
Plant strawberries in early spring or early fall. Each plant needs about one square foot of space.
- Fan out roots when planting bare-root strawberries.
- Set the crown just above the soil surface.
- Planting too deep can cause crown rot; too shallow can dry out roots.
Plants set one foot apart require runner removal. Alternatively, space plants farther apart and allow runners to fill in naturally.
Fertilizing
For new plantings, side-dress about ten days after planting with Ferti-lome Gardener’s Special, keeping fertilizer at least 4 inches from the crown.
Established plants should be fertilized:
- Early spring
- Late summer, when next year’s flower buds are forming
Slow-release fertilizers like Osmocote may be applied once in spring. Avoid heavy spring fertilization before harvest, which can cause fruit rot and poor quality.
Types of Strawberries
June-Bearing
June-bearing strawberries produce one large crop each year and generally yield the largest, highest-quality fruit. Remove blossoms and runners the first year to promote strong plants.
Ever-Bearing
Ever-bearing strawberries produce a main crop and a fall crop, with smaller harvests in between. Remove blossoms and runners until July during the first year to encourage heavier fall production.
Mulching & Winter Protection
Apply a 3-inch layer of hay mulch just before hard freezing to protect plants and suppress weeds. In early spring, remove most of the mulch, leaving enough between rows to reduce fruit rot.