How to Kill Weeds But Not My Strawberry Plants

Strawberries are a simple, yet rewarding crop to grow. They come in three varieties: June Bearing, Everbearing and Day Neutral. June Bearing strawberries bear a single crop in early spring. Everbearing produce up to three times a year during June, late summer and early fall. The Day Neutral is the only variety to produce constantly throughout summer. Unfortunately, weed infestations threaten all varieties by stealing nutrients, sunlight and moisture. Luckily, methods are available to eradicate pesky weeds without killing your strawberry plants.

Gardening gloves
Gardening tools
Weed-free mulch
Landscaping fabric or plastic
Herbicide

Instructions

- 1
  Remove as many weeds by hand as possible. Hand weeding is the safest method to get rid of unwanted weeds near strawberries. While wearing gardening gloves, grasp the weed near the base. Firmly pull it up, being sure to remove the roots completely. Place the weed directly into a trashcan so it will not spread seeds. If perennial weeds with underground rhizomes surround your plants, carefully dig out the underground root system. Each piece of root left in the ground can mature into a weed.
- 2
  Place mulch around your strawberries. Mulching discourages weeds from growing because it keeps sunlight from reaching them. Apply plastic or landscaping fabric around your strawberry plants. Give each strawberry plant breathing room by leaving a 4- to 6-inch margin around each plant. Spread 3 to 4 inches of weed-free mulch on top of the plastic. Replace mulch as needed.
- 3
  Apply an herbicide around your strawberry plants to kill unwanted grass and weeds. Carefully follow the instructions listed on the herbicide container for correct application amounts and timing.

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