The beststrawberriesYou'll ever taste it from a garden, because fully ripe strawberries have a rich, aromatic flavor unmatched by their supermarket counterparts. Enjoying the melt-in-the-mouth juiciness of freshly picked strawberries is just one reason to grow your own. As the first fruit to ripen in spring, strawberries are nutritious assets for any garden.
The hardy little plants thrive when planted in properly prepared beds or rows, or you can use them as edible borders or let them spread over the top of a wall. Strawberries also like to grow in strawberry jars and hanging baskets. For the very best results, no matter where you plant them, start with vigorous youngBonnie Plants® strawberry plants. Bonnie has been helping home gardeners grow better for over a century, so you can count on us.
Quick guide to growing strawberries
- Plant strawberries in spring or fall, depending on where you grow them. Underground gardens, raised beds, and containers are all excellent growing areas.
- Give strawberries room for runners by planting them 18 inches apart. Strawberries can be grown in a number of ways, but make sure they get 8 or more hours of sun and are planted in slightly acidic soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.8.
- Give your home soil a boost by mixing in a few inches of aged compost or other rich organic matter. Consider a premium bag mix for container growing.
- Give the plants 1 to 1.5 inches of water weekly, avoiding wetting the leaves.
- Encourage excellent fruit production by feeding the plants with a continuous release fertilizer.
- Harvest ripe strawberries in the cool of the morning and refrigerate them immediately.
The Strawberry Life Cycle
Success with strawberries requires understanding their life cycle. Like most hardy perennials, strawberries die back in winter and begin to grow vigorously as the soil warms in spring. After fruiting (as early as February in Florida or June further north), many strawberry varieties will form numerous stolons with baby plants at the top. These stolons often root nearby but remain attached to the mother plant. These strawberry varieties will produce more fruit if you cut off most of the runners, so each plant cannot produce more than 3 daughter plants each summer. (Some strawberry varieties produce few to no stolons.)
Exhausted from the production of fruit and offspring, strawberries usually go into a second dormancy in the second half of summer. With weeding and light watering, most parent plants - and their offspring - will perk up and grow back for a while in the fall. While September seems to be a busy month for strawberries, plants are busy during the fall months developing the latent buds that will grow into next spring's flowers.
Out ofZone 6Northbound, strawberries are best planted in spring so they are well established by the following winter. Containers can be replanted in late summer and moved to a cool, sheltered spot such as an unheated garage during the coldest months.
Out ofZone 7South strawberries can be planted in the fall. (In Florida and other warm, humid coastal areas, many are grown as cool-weather annuals.) Once a planting is established, simply uproot your healthiest plants each September and replant them in a newly renovated location.
However, growing strawberries doesn't have to be that much work. In all areas, strawberries can grow into a bright green groundcover that requires little maintenance. The plants will not bear as much as more intensively managed plants, but they will still produce delicious berries year after year.
soil, planting and care
Strawberries need at least 8 hours of full sun each day and prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.8. If the soils in your area are naturally alkaline, it is best to grow strawberries in half barrels or other large containers filled with good quality potting soil such as a potting soil. B. enriched with old compostMiracle-Gro® Performance Organics® all-purpose container mix. Strawberries can also pout in heavy clay, which should be supplemented liberally with composted leaves, fully rotted sawdust, orMiracle-Gro® Performance Organics® Allzweck-Bodenerde- like the container mix, it contains high quality aged compost - before strawberries are planted. After mixing in 4 inches or more of compost, rake clay soil into raised mounds to further improve drainage. If your soil is sandy, simply till it to remove weeds and mix in a 1-inch layer of rich compost or rotted manure.
Many strawberry varieties are eager to produce offspring, so it's best to keep them 18 inches apart. However, there are a few cultivars that produce few or no stolons; These can be spaced 6 inches apart. (Check the plant label for exact spacing.) Be sure to position the plants so that their roots are well covered with soil but the central growing bud or crown is exposed to light and fresh air.This is very important: if you bury the crown, the plant could easily rot.Water them well. Any type of mulch — from black plastic to pine straw to shredded leaves — will keep the soil moist and the plants clean. fertilize withMiracle-Gro® Performance Organics® Edible Plant Food Granulesfor excellent results. This plant food works with great soil to provide just the right environment and nutrition for vigorous growth. Make sure your plants start blooming in spring, and the flowers need to be visited by bees and other pollinating insects before they can bear fruit. In warm, sunny weather, berries ripen about 30 days after flowers are fertilized.
June-bearing varieties such asallstarwear at once, usually over a period of about 3 weeks. Although called June-bearing, these bear earlier than June in warm climates.
Everbearing varieties likeQuinaultproduce a large crop of spring flowers, setting light fruit blushes in summer and flowering and then bearing again in late summer and fall.
Day-neutral varieties bear fruit continuously throughout the season, until the first frost. They are not sensitive to fluctuations in the amount of daylight like other strawberry varieties.
Troubleshooting
Snails often chew holes in strawberries as they begin to ripen. Organic mulch like straw encourages slugs, so where slugs are a problem, a plastic mulch will help.
Several fungal diseases cause dark spots on the leaves in summer. Cutting or mowing strawberry foliage and raking it away in the summer can interrupt the life cycle of some strawberry pests and diseases. By far the worst strawberry pests are birds. To prevent robins, brown threshers, and other fruit eaters from stealing your berries, cover the plants with a light bird netting when the berries begin to ripen.
Sometimes your fruit may be small because of heat and drought. Once you start watering and the weather improves, the new fruit should be a normal size.
harvest and storage
Pick strawberries in the morning when the fruit has cooled and put them in the fridge immediately. Wait until just before eating or cooking to rinse the berries thoroughly with cold water. Extra strawberries can be frozen, dried, or made into jam or preserves.
frequently asked Questions
How do I know how old my plants are? Do I have to remove the flowers in the first year?
All newly purchased plants are in their first year of growth. Although our plant labels say to pick the flowers in the first year, this is not strictly necessary. Picking the flowers directs energy towards foliage and plant growth, allowing plants to grow taller the following year. However, you can leave the flowers on and enjoy a few berries in the first year.
Is the Arizona Sun Too Intense for Strawberries?
Give them shade in your area during the summer months.
How do strawberries grow in strawberry jars?
Strawberries do well in strawberry jars, but you have to work at watering them and they're not as productive as in-ground due to the much smaller volume of soil. Strawberry jars are a fun novelty and especially useful for small patio and condo gardens.
How do I save my strawberries from greedy birds?
It's always a good idea to cover ripening berries with netting, which will protect the fruit without harming the birds. You can find bird netting at stores that sell gardening supplies.
When are strawberries ripe for picking?
Harvest berries when they turn red. Avoid leaving ripe berries on the vine as they will rot quickly.
Is it true that strawberries should be stored unwashed?
Yes. Wet berries spoil quickly, even in the fridge. Wash strawberries only immediately before eating.
FAQs
What is the best month to plant strawberry plants? ›
Strawberries are best planted in the early spring between now and the end of May. Right now, many garden centers have them in individual 4-inch pots or in bare-root bundles of 25 roots.
Can you grow strawberries from a strawberry? ›So, if you are trying to grow a strawberry plant from a strawberry, the best option is to thinly slice the strawberry, dry it, and then lightly cover it where you would like it to sprout outdoors prior to the cold winter temperatures.
What is the spacing for strawberry planting? ›Plant spacing
This makes it easier to control weeds, runners and pests. There are many methods of row planting that work well for strawberries, but by far the most common method is the matted row system: Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart. Space rows 3 to 4 feet apart.
Strawberries are cool-weather plants and don't produce well when it's hot. Research done at the Texas A&M Research Center in Lubbock shows that strawberry plants planted in October, which are protected from freezing temperatures, are much more productive than if planted in the spring.
Should I soak strawberry plants before planting? ›Planting Tips
Strawberries come in bare root bundles. When you receive your plants separate the bundled plants, remove any dried leaves at their tops and soak the roots in water for an hour or two before planting. Plant them early in spring, while the ground is still cool and moist, and in a sunny spot, if possible.
You can grow them from seed, from bare root or from runners.
How do you get strawberry seeds from strawberries? ›The seeds on a strawberry are those tiny little things found on the outside of every strawberry. Take one strawberry, and using a toothpick or knife point, scrape at the seeds to dislodge them and remove them from the fruit.
What happens if you plant a whole strawberry? ›If the top of the strawberry is cut off and planted, it will rot within days. Strawberry plants can't propagate, but they can multiple in a number of ways.
What happens if you plant strawberries too close together? ›So even though you'll have a bigger harvest, you'll sacrifice a bit in berry size. Planting strawberries too close together may also increase the chances of mold or fruit rot, especially in wet or humid climates.
What is a good companion plant with strawberries? ›Herbs: Plant an herb garden to attract beneficial insects that help your strawberry plants grow. Herbs like borage, sage, dill, chives, coriander, thyme, caraway, and catnip make great companion plants for strawberries.
How many strawberries can I grow in a 4x8 raised bed? ›
4 to 6 plants per square foot (on average – most things don't have to be exact in the world of gardening) is a good target.
Will strawberries survive winter in raised beds? ›Winter care when growing strawberries in raised beds
While strawberries are hardy and fully perennial, when growing strawberries in raised beds, a bit of extra winter care is required. Soon after the first frost and before a deep freeze, mulch the plants as described above.
Both the roots and the flowers of the strawberry plants must be protected from frost. Because the roots are not particularly deep, they are not well insulated. When overwintering strawberry plants, it is essential to protect them from late frosts, as the flowers are sensitive, especially in spring.
Should I put Miracle Grow on my strawberry plants? ›Your strawberries will display their most amazing growth if you treat them to the power combo of Miracle-Gro® soil and plant food.
Can you remove strawberry runners and plant them? ›Once the roots have formed, (which you will be able to tell because the plant will be firmly held into the growing medium) you can simply cut the runners from the parent plant and (if required) move them to somewhere else in your garden.
What is the best way to prepare strawberries for soil? ›Mounding improves drainage and increases air circulation around plants. Gently loosen the root ball of your plant. Plant 150mm apart on the top of the mounds. Press soil gently around the base of the plant.
Can I plant strawberries in the fall? ›Planting strawberries in fall allows for plants to become fully established sooner and gives close to, if not full, fruit production the following spring. Most strawberry cultivars can do well with this system, but planting them sooner rather than later is better to give them adequate establishment time.
Can you plant strawberries any time of year? ›You can plant your indoor berries any time of year. No need to wait for the normal growing season. Without the benefit of bees and other pollinators, however, you may have to pollinate your strawberries by hand.
Can I plant strawberries in August? ›The best time to grow strawberries depends on the cultivar. Some do better when planted in early spring, others in summer or fall. If you live in a temperate climate, your planting date will fall between August and October.
Do strawberries come back every year? ›Strawberries are perennial plants — they go through a period of dormancy in the winter and return in early spring ready to go again for another growing season. With a minimal amount of preparation for getting them through cold temperatures, your strawberry plants in pots can be as productive as in-ground plants.
Is October too late to transplant strawberries? ›
While spring is typically the best time, strawberry plants are hardy and can often be transplanted at any time during the calendar year when the ground can be worked.
Should I cover my strawberry plants for the winter? ›Strawberry plants are most prone to winter injury when there is no snow cover. Ideally, strawberry plants should be covered with snow because it not only insulates the plants from freezing temperatures, it also protects them from damaging winds.
Can you leave strawberry plants out all winter? ›Strawberries are one of the more hardy fruits you can plant; but they still benefit from winterizing if you want to be sure of a full crop come spring, especially if you are living in zones below zone 7. If you live in zones 8 and higher they will often not need any help at all to survive the winter.
Where is the best place to plant strawberries? ›Where to Grow Strawberries. The very best-tasting fruits grow in full sunshine. Pick a sunny, sheltered site in fertile, free-draining soil that's ideally slightly acidic. You can easily improve soil by digging in lots of organic matter before planting – compost or well-rotted manure is ideal.