| Light |
Strawberries require at least 10 hours of full sun daily. |
|
| Soil |
Fertile, well-drained soil preferred. |
|
| Planting |
Work soil 8-12″ deep with organic matter such as mushroom compost or peat moss. |
| Mound rows 6-8″ high by 12-18″ wide. |
| If your soil is clay-heavy, consider a raised bed for your strawberries. |
|
| Spacing |
Plant 1 foot apart in staggered rows. |
| Allow 2 feet between rows. |
|
| Mulch |
Add thin layer of mulch to cool the soil, conserve water and prevent weeds. |
|
| Watering |
Water well after planting. |
| Established plants generally require 1″ of water per week. |
|
| Feeding |
Feed with a well balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer each spring. |
|
| Care |
Remove runners from spring through July in the first growing season, so a strong root system is established. |
| In mid-August , allow each plant to develop 1 or 2 runners. |
| Remove weeds. |
| Original plant will produce for 3 years. |
| Covering with garden netting will prevent birds and critters from tasting the berries. |
|
| Picking |
Harvest when the berries are red. Pick every other day or so… and enjoy! |
| Remove original and allow secondary plants to grow. |
|
| Winterize |
Mulch with straw or chopped leaves after several hard frosts when ground is frozen. |
| Uncover in early spring when groud begins to thaw. |
