Preparing Your Garden Bed for Strawberry Planting
When starting a strawberry patch from bare roots, proper garden bed preparation is key to giving your plants the best chance to thrive. Selecting the right planting location and amending the soil ensures your strawberries have the ideal growing conditions to produce a bountiful harvest year after year.
Choosing the Perfect Spot
Strawberries prefer full sun exposure, so look for a spot that gets at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. The bed should have good drainage to prevent waterlogged roots. If the soil is heavy clay, mix in compost to improve drainage before planting.
Enriching the Soil
Strawberries are heavy feeders, so preparing nutrient-rich soil is vital. Work aged manure or compost into the top 6-12 inches of soil. You can also mix in a balanced organic fertilizer. Target a soil pH between 5.5-6.5. If a soil test shows your pH is too high, add elemental sulfur to lower it.
Pre-Planting Steps
About 2-3 weeks before planting, remove any weeds and work the amended soil into loose, fine-textured beds. Create raised rows about 4 inches tall and 2 feet wide to improve drainage. Install a irrigation system if possible. Apply a pre-planting fertilizer to give plants an extra nutrient boost at the start. Let the beds sit for 1-2 weeks before planting.
How to Plant Strawberry Bare Roots
When to Plant
Early spring is ideal for strawberry planting in most climates. Aim to plant them about 6-8 weeks before your region’s last expected frost date. This gives plants time to establish before summer’s heat arrives.
Spacing Strawberries Properly
Proper spacing is crucial to prevent overcrowding. For matted row systems, space plants 12-18 inches apart in rows 3-4 feet apart. For raised beds, plant rows 12-15 inches apart with 6-12 inches between plants.
Planting Steps
- Dig a hole large enough to fully spread out the bare roots.
- Place the plant in the hole with the roots just below the soil surface.
- Backfill the hole and firm the soil gently around the roots.
- Water thoroughly after planting to remove any air pockets.
- Add 2-3 inches of organic mulch around plants to retain moisture.
Avoid planting too deep or allowing the roots to dry out. Water new plantings daily for the first week or until established.
Caring for Newly Planted Strawberries
Ongoing Care
Consistent care is vital through your strawberries’ first year. Water 1-2 inches per week, avoiding wet foliage. Fertilize monthly with a balanced organic fertilizer. Remove flowering stems the first season so plants direct energy to establishment. Weed and re-mulch as needed.
Winter Protection
In cold climates, protect new plants through their first winter. After several hard frosts, cover beds with 6-8 inches of loose straw. Top with a breathable row cover. Remove these protective layers in early spring after the last hard frost passes.
Next Season’s Growth
In following years, allow 4-5 daughter plants to grow per mother plant. Thin any excess runners to maintain proper spacing. Next season, let plants flower and fruit. Ongoing mulching, weeding, and fertilizing will keep your strawberry patch flourishing!
