How Long After You Plant Strawberries Do You See Fruit?

June-Bearing

• June-bearing strawberries are harvested a year after planting. They are planted in early spring, in March or April, as soon as the soil can be worked. Runner plants -- new plants that develop from the horizontal stem of the original plant -- emerge during the first summer. During the first season, the flowers of June-bearing strawberries are removed as soon as they appear to promote root and runner development. Establishing the plant the first season promotes a large crop the following year. The next growing season, ripe berries are ready to harvest approximately 21 days after the white flowers are pollinated.

Everbearing and Day-Neutral

• Everbearing and day-neutral strawberries are also planted in early spring but produce fruit the same season. All blossoms on everbearing and day-neutral strawberries are removed until July, when flowers should be left to develop into fruit for a summer and fall harvest. Flower removal is done only in the first season. The berries will also be ready to harvest approximately 21 days after flowers are pollinated.

Production

• Choose strawberry varieties for their uses in desserts and preserves, their disease resistance and season of maturation. With the strawberry varieties available, gardeners can have fresh strawberries throughout the growing season. Production by strawberry plants usually declines by their third year; replace plants after the fourth year for continued maximum fruiting.