Strawberry Planting Tips

Strawberries are a summertime favorite and spring is the perfect time to add them to your gardens to be rewarded with these tasty fruits during the summer months ahead.

We’ve provided a few tips to help you get your new strawberries established and provide a successful harvest:

Plant in well draining soil – Strawberries prefer a planting medium that will provide an efficient air flow as they are susceptible to root rot.  They tend to not perform well in heavier clay soil so be sure if planting in a container, to use a soil with some added perlite or sand and if planting directly in the ground, making sure the soil is more loamy or amended. We also recommend adding a layer of mulch to help limit any diseases from spreading or weed development.

Planting in containers or raised bed can be beneficial – Since strawberries have a more compact growth habit, they can thrive well in smaller spaces which makes them great for apartment dwellers or those with smaller yard space. 

Choose a sunny location- Strawberries can be planted in either half day or full sun, however, they do best in a more sunny spot, so choosing an area with the most sun will be more beneficial. 

Be sure to water just the right amount – Water-in your strawberries upon their initial planting and then water approximately one inch per week once established.  To limit root rot, be sure to not overwater by checking the soil’s moisture level prior to watering. 

Chose a variety that works for you – June bearing strawberries produce only one large and abundant crop in early summer and include productive varieties such as Hood and Rainier Strawberries.  Everbearing strawberries have a more prolonged growing period and produce a smaller crop in early summer and another in fall.  There are some varieties considered day neutral everbearing which are reported to have smaller yet more consistent fruit formation from early summer through fall and includes the popular Albion Strawberry.