Growing Strawberry Plants

Fragaria : Rosaceae / the rose family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
        P P            

(Best months for growing Strawberry Plants in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • P = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • Easy to grow. Plant with crown (of roots) just covered.. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 68°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 12 - 39 inches apart
  • Harvest in approximately 11 weeks. Strawberries bruise easily when ripe, handle carefully. Pick with a small piece of stem attached..
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Better in a bed on their own to allow good sun and air circulation
  • Avoid growing close to: If you are using rotation beds, avoid putting strawberries where you have grown tomatoes, potatoes, peppers or eggplant

Your comments and tips

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25 Oct 22, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Usually you plant out the new runners and dig in/throw away the old plants, although you can produce a crop for 2-3 years with the mother plants.
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30 Sep 22, Liliana (USA - Zone 9b climate)
I’m a newbie at growing strawberries. If I cover them for protection from the birds, won’t that interfere with insects being able to pollenate the flowers?
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12 Nov 22, Julie (USA - Zone 9b climate)
You can also purchase netting at garden stores that will keep the birds out, but let sun and moisture in.
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18 Nov 22, Ruth A Hersh (USA - Zone 9a climate)
netting kills birds & snakes.
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03 Oct 22, (USA - Zone 3b climate)
They are self pollinators.
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20 May 22, Janise Little (USA - Zone 7b climate)
How to grow strawberriesin zone 7b? In the ground or containers?
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14 May 22, Beverley Nelson (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Do strawberries grown in strawberry planters really work, or is ground growing the best method? Do the 2 methods need different treatment? TIA
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09 Apr 22, Debra Samaha (USA - Zone 9b climate)
What type of strawberries should I plant in zone 9b? Should I plant them in ground or in those special pots? And what type of soil? Thank you for your time.
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13 Apr 22, Anonymous (USA - Zone 9b climate)
If you have the time to look after them in pots otherwise in the ground. Just good rich loose soil. Check what varieties grow in your area.
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09 Mar 22, Susan Marseglia (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi there, I have moved into a new property with strawberry plants. How do i care for them as i presume its the end of the season ? Do i cut back all the leaves / stems ,and have read that i can cut off the runners but what do you do with them? Can they be stored over winter somehow and replanted? Any advice greatly appreciated thanks. novice gardener
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Showing 31 - 40 of 339 comments
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Autumn is a good time to plant strawberry runners. Clean up any dead material from around each plant, cutting off any dead leaves or broken roots at the same time. plant them in rows or large tubs to which you have added old cow manure or compost if you can. Many people used to put down plastic and plant them in slits in the plastic. This was to reduce weeds, conserve water and keep the fruit clean. The downside, very hot soil in the summer which kills soil life and difficulty in watering. Ideally use a natural mulch such as pine needles, sugar cane mulch or straw. you can also use autumn leaves. Spread the leaves over the lawn and run the mower over them. This will give you a blend of grass and chopped up leaves which will be free and make a good mulch.

- Jack

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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