Strawberry Planting & Growing Guide

Where to Plant Strawberries

Plant Strawberries in full sun in well-draining soil. White strawberries (also called alpine strawberries or pineberries) do best with morning sun but some protection or filter from intense afternoon sunlight. In areas with heavy clay or poor-draining soil, it’s best to plant in a raised bed or container.

When to Plant Strawberries

Plant Strawberries in early spring when the danger of frost has passed. In mild-winter regions, Strawberries can also be planted in the fall.

How to Plant Strawberries

• Find a location with full sun and well-draining soil. If you notice that water still puddles 5 to 6 hours after a hard rain, it's best to find a different spot or plant in a raised bed or container.
• Plant your bare-root Strawberries as soon as possible after they arrive. If you can’t plant immediately, make sure they don’t dry out; set them somewhere out of direct sun and wind until you can get them planted, but don’t wait long!
• Dig a hole the same depth as the roots. Mound a little bit of soil in the hole and spread the roots out over it, making sure that the crown is even with the soil line. Fill the hole with soil and tamp down firmly.
• Space Strawberry plants approximately 6 in. apart in rows 12 in. apart.
• Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil around the roots.

How to Grow Strawberries

• Incorporate organic matter or a soil acidifier into the soil before planting to give the acid-loving Strawberries an extra healthy boost.
• Water at least once a week, more often in warm weather; 1 in. of water at a time is a good estimate. Drip irrigation or soaker hoses help get the water right at the roots with minimal evaporation and reduce the spread of diseases like powdery mildew.
• Add a heavy layer of mulch or compost to the surrounding soil to improve drainage, reduce evaporation, and keep competing weeds at bay.
• Apply a balanced fertilizer or fish emulsion solution once a month until the end of the harvest.

Strawberries Tips & Tricks

• Strawberries are susceptible to verticillium wilt, so don’t plant them in soil where tomatoes or other plants from the Solanaceae family have grown.
• For the first year, remove the spring blooms and let the later blossoms set fruit. This allows the plant more time to establish a healthier root system.
• Control pests like snails and slugs by sprinkling the surrounding soil with diatomaceous earth.
• Cover your plants with netting to protect your berries from birds and other wildlife.
• Harvest the berries when they are fully colored and sweet. Check the plants daily once they start to ripen because the quality can peak quickly.