How Fast Do Strawberries Grow?

Strawberry Type

• After planting strawberries in the spring, remove all blossoms and fruit until July. While this process may seem disheartening, it is necessary to develop strong root systems. Your early sacrifice pays off in more bountiful yields later. Summer-bearing strawberries produce one large crop in June or early July, so by removing the blossoms, the plant produces no crop the first year. Day-neutral types produce berries throughout the season, while ever-bearing strawberries produce berries in early and late summer, with a few berries in between. These strawberry varieties produce fruit the first summer.

Selecting Strawberries

• Ever-bearing or day-neutral types are recommended for areas prone to late spring freezes. June-bearing types may not produce any strawberries in these regions if blossoms are damaged by cold weather. Day-neutral strawberries produce a steady crop of high-quality fruit all summer, but halt production in hot weather. They grow well in areas with mild, cool summers and are usually treated as annuals because fruit yields diminish after the first year. June-bearing strawberries produce a large crop of flavorful fruit all at once, making them a preferred choice for gardeners wishing to freeze strawberries or make jam.

Care

• Increase strawberry yields through proper care. Plant strawberry plants in late spring in a sunny location. Amend the soil with well-rotted compost or manure, and add lime or sulfur if necessary to alter the soil pH to between 5.8 and 6.2. Plant strawberries so the crown of the plant, or the area between the roots and the leaves is planted at soil level. Water the strawberries at least weekly to keep the soil evenly moist and lay untreated grass clippings or straw over the soil to protect it.

Renovation

• Strawberries, especially June-bearing types, produce runners that spread and become a tangled mass if not controlled. In the fall, after the last harvest, mow all the leaves off the strawberry plants. Till the rows to remove plants so the rows stand 10 to 12 inches wide. Fertilize the berries with a 10-10-10 fertilizer, using 1/2 cup for each row of fruit. Cover the plants with straw or floating row covers after the first frost to protect them from winter weather. Remove the straw in the spring as new growth emerges, but keep it close at hand in case temperatures drop. Plant new strawberry plants every three to five years as yields diminish.