DORMANT STRAWBERRY PLANTING GUIDE

for the

HOME GARDENER

SITE SELECTION - Plant strawberries in the sunniest area of your garden. They require full sun for most of the day, although some late afternoon shade is tolerable in midsummer. Good water drainage through the soil is essential. Soils with high clay content are typically poorly drained, while sandy soils drain very well. If the soil is heavy and tends to stay wet, it is best to plant on raised beds to improve drainage.

SITE PREPARATION - The desired pH for strawberries is 6.0 - 6.5. Prepare your soil as early in the spring as weather permits. Work the ground to a depth of about 8". If possible, avoid sites that previously were planted with tomatoes, peppers, or potatoes.

PLANTING - Plant your strawberries early in the spring. Frost will not hurt the plants. Position the roots so that they are straight down into the ground. Do not allow them to curl up. Pack the soil around each plant taking care not to disturb the proper depth. Water in well and continue to irrigate, as needed. Plant spacing should be 18" to 24" apart with the rows being 42" to 48" apart.

FERTILIZER AND WEED CONTROL - Weed control is essential for strawberries. Cultivate your crop on a regular basis to eliminate weed pressure. Contact your local extension office for herbicides that are labeled for strawberries. Use a 10-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 1 lb per 100 square feet. This should be applied and incorporated before you plant and again in early August when the plants are developing fruit buds.

BLOSSOM REMOVAL - By removing the plant blossoms in the first growing season, you will divert the plant’s energy into runner production rather than fruit production. This will enable the plant to produce more berries the following season.

MULCHING - In areas that have cold winters, mulching is necessary to protect your strawberry plants. Cover your plants with straw in late fall. Approximately 3" to 5" will be sufficient. Remove the straw in early spring when you notice new growth on the plant.