Strawberry Growing Guide

This Strawberry Growing Guide covers everything you need to know for sweet, juicy harvests. From planting times and spacing to fertilizing, mulching, and pest management—we’ll walk you through it all. Fun fact: strawberries are the only fruit with seeds on the outside, averaging about 200 per berry!

Quick Overview

Category	Details
Planting Time	Early spring or fall (depending on climate)
Soil Temperature	60–80°F for optimal growth
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun (8–10+ hours)
Watering Requirements	1–1.5" per week; keep soil consistently moist
Spacing (In-Ground)	12–18" apart, rows 3–4' apart
Spacing (Raised Bed)	12–15" apart
Fertilizer Guidelines	Heavy feeder—add compost before planting and side-dress with balanced fertilizer during growing season

Growing Guide Details

Plant Classifications

Strawberries come in three main types, each with its own benefits for gardeners. June-bearing strawberries produce one large, concentrated harvest in late spring—perfect for freezing, canning, or making jam. Everbearing strawberries give two to three smaller harvests, usually in spring, summer, and early fall. Day-neutral strawberries produce steadily throughout the season, offering a continuous supply of fresh berries.

What Variety to Choose?

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Chandler: A June-bearing variety known as a heavy producer with large, flavorful berries—great for fresh eating or preserves.

Sweet Charlie: This early June-bearing variety has excellent sweetness and is especially well-suited for Southern growers.

Ruby June: A June-bearing favorite with deep red color and rich flavor, performing especially well in Southern climates.

Camarosa: A popular June-bearing variety with firm berries, outstanding shelf life, and consistently high yields, ideal for both commercial and home gardens.

When to Plant

Zone 3-6: Plant bare-root crowns or plugs in early spring as soon as soil can be worked. Day-neutral/everbearing can fruit first year; many gardeners remove first-year blooms on June-bearers for stronger plants.

Zone 7-9: Plant in the fall about 4-6 weeks before the first frost for a spring harvest.

Pro Tip: Pinch the blooms and runners off the first and second sets will increase berry size. In Zone 9 we pinch off till January.

Light & Space Requirements

Sunlight: Full sun (8-10+ hours/day) is essential.

In-Ground:

Row spacing: 32–40 in

Plant spacing: 12–18 in

Raised Beds: 12–16 in between plants

Pro Tip: When planting strawberry plants, be sure the crown is out of the soil but the roots aren’t exposed. Plant them too deep and they will rot. Plant them too shallow and the exposed roots will cause the plant to die. Be sure the roots are pointing down and not curved and mound your soil around the plant and firm up the soil around the crown.

Ruby June Strawberries

Soil & Fertility

Soil Requirements:
Adjust soil pH between 6.0–6.5

Rich in compost or organic matter

Retains water but is also well-draining. Sandy loam soil is the best option.

Fertilizer Schedule:

Before Planting:
Mix 1½ cups of HOSS Complete Organic Fertilizer per 10 ft of row

2-3 Weeks After Transplanting:
Mix 1 cup of 20-20-20 Fertilizer and 1 cup of microboost in 5 gallons of water. Each plant gets 1 quart of the solution next to the plant stem. Repeat every 2-3 weeks.

If using Fertilizer injector, Mix 1-2 lbs Hoss Premium 20-20-20 Fertilizer–AND –1-2 cups Hoss Micro-Boost per 1,000 sq ft of garden.

Every 2-3 Weeks: Alternate 2-4 lbs.Hoss Calcium Nitrate–AND –1-2 cups Hoss Micro-Boost Micronutrient Supplement per 1,000 sq ft of garden.

Once Plant Produces Flower:
Reduce 20-20-20 Fertilizer to 1/4 cup. Micro-Boost will remain at 1 cup per 5 gallons of water.

Reduce 20-20-20 Fertilizer to 1/4 – 1/2 lb. and reduce Calcium Nitrate to 1/2 – 1 lbs. Micro-Boost will remain at 1-2 cups per 1,000 sq ft of garden.

3-4 Weeks Before Harvest:
Discontinue fertilization

Pest & Disease Control

Pest/Disease	Control Method
Thrips	Garden Insect Spray
Aphids	Horticulture Oil, Bug Buster-O, Take Down, Neem Oil, Take Out
Slugs	Sluggo Plus
Spider Mite	Horticulture Oil, Take-Out
Crown Rot	Fungi Max, Garden Phos
Powdery Mildew	Complete Disease Control, Fungi Max, Garden Phos, Liquid Copper
Red Stele	Garden Phos
Leather Rot	Garden Phos
Leaf Blight	Garden Phos
Leaf Spot	Fungi Max

Irrigation & Watering Schedule

• Needs 1-1.5” water per week

• Keep soil consistently moist (not soggy)

• Use Drip Irrigation Kits to keep moisture away from the fruit and leaves.

Camarosa Strawberries

Harvesting & Storage

Harvest: Pick strawberries when fully red and ripe, as they do not continue to ripen after picking. Harvest every 2–3 days during peak season.

Storage: Refrigerate unwashed berries in a breathable container for up to 3–5 days. Wash only before eating.

Preservation Tip: Freeze by washing, drying, and hulling berries before laying them on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to airtight containers.

Sustainability & Garden Tips

• Rotate strawberry beds every 3–4 years to reduce disease and soil fatigue.
• Mulch with straw or pine needles to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and protect fruit from soil splash.
• Companion plant with spinach, beans, or lettuce for efficient use of space.
• Keep plants well-spaced and remove runners if you want bigger, higher-quality berries.

FAQs

Should I remove runners?

Yes, if you want larger berries and stronger mother plants. Leave some runners if you want plants to spread and create a thicker patch.

Why are my strawberries small?

Causes include overcrowding, lack of water, poor soil fertility, or plants that are past peak productivity.

How do I overwinter strawberries?

In colder regions, cover plants with straw mulch after the first hard frost to protect crowns from winter damage.

Can strawberries be grown in containers?

Yes, day-neutral and everbearing types do especially well in pots or hanging baskets.

How long will a strawberry patch last?

On average, 3–4 years before needing to be replanted due to declining yields and disease pressure.

Published on June 07, 2023
Updated on September 18, 2025

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