Growing Strawberries

How Strawberries Grow

Of all fruit and berry varieties, strawberries are perhaps the most popular among backyard gardeners, and for good reason – they’re a naturally sweet treat that’s fun to grow and should be included in every backyard homestead. Although strawberries grow best in moist, cool regions, with supplemental watering in the hot summer months and windbreaks, they can be grown in hot, dry climates as well.

Strawberries need two years to produce the best yields, and when planted in prepared soil in early spring, they’ll quickly take root, and by mid June, send out runners which will form new plants around the original.

Although strawberry plants will produce blossoms in the first year, they should be pinched off before developing into berries. Pinching the blossoms off during that first year encourages the plants to develop strong root systems and healthy growth.  In the spring of the following year, the buds that formed the previous fall , will develop into blossoms, and eventually berries. Depending on your region and growing season, you can get early season, mid season, or late season bearing varieties.  If you live here in the Carolinas, the Pocahontas, Raritan, and Surecrop varieties are all good bets.

Planting Strawberries

Your strawberry plants will be growing in the same spot for two years, and because the small, shallow rooted plants will have to get all of their water and nutrients from the top few inches of soil, you’ll need to prepare the ground well.  Soil should be rich, and slightly acidic ; between 5.5-6.0. Enrich the soil with compost or peat moss to improve the water holding capacity of the soil during dry weather. Strawberries perform best in moist soil in full sun.

Strawberries are sold in bare root bundles, and you should snip the roots to about 4” before planting. Remove all but a few of the youngest leaves, which will reduce water loss once the plants are in the ground.  Dig a trowel straight down into the ground, opening a seam. Place the roots in the slit, fanning them out so that they don’t bend. Place the top of the crown just above the soil line so that the crown doesn’t rot, and lightly tamp the soil down around the plant, gently adding water. As the plant begins to grow, pinch off all new flowers for about 3 months, allowing additional flowers to produce berries after that.

Growth, Care & Harvest

The Matted Row method is an easy way to grow a large bed of strawberries. Simply plant rows of strawberry plants 12” apart, and as runners emerge, arrange them in a circular pattern around the original plant. Once the area fills out with a new plant about every four inches, remove additional runners so the strawberry plants don’t become overcrowded.

The Double Hill system is another method that is very effective in raised beds.  Start by removing runners from the mother plants, and placing them in 12” apart in paired, hilled rows that are 12” apart. Space pairs of rows 18” apart. Mulching the soil around strawberry plants will help retain moisture and also protect plants from frost damage in winter months.

Watering & Fertilization

Beginning in the spring of the first year and continuing into the fall, apply a low analysis fertilizer like fish emulsion, every other week. Here in the southeast, additional phosphorous may be needed.  Beginning with the second season, fertilize the plants  at the beginning of the growing season, and when blossoms open.  Strawberries need about 1” of water per week while the berries are ripening. Too much water will dilute the sweet flavor of the berries, and remember to carefully apply water directly to the soil, as soaking the leaves too often will encourage the spread of foliar diseases.

Harvest

In cooler weather, strawberries ripen about 30 days after blooming, sooner in warmer weather. As the berries ripen, their color changes from white to pink to red, and as the colors change, sugars are deposited in the fruit. Strawberries picked before turning red will not be as sweet as fully ripe ones, and it’s best to pick berries early in the morning, when they are firm.