How to Plant a Strawberry Bed

Dig or till the area for your strawberry bed in the fall. Choose an area that is in full sun. Work up the soil to a depth of 12 inches. Remove all the weeds, sticks, rocks and other debris in the area.

Amend the soil with compost. Place a 3- to 4-inch layer of compost over the soil and incorporate it into the soil. Strawberries grow better in soil that drains well.

Incorporate into the top 6 inches of soil 2 lb. of a 6-24-24 fertilizer for each 100 square feet of planting bed.

Dig for the strawberry plant a hole that is deep enough to accommodate all the roots going straight down. The width of the hole should be 3 to 4 inches across.

Place the strawberry plant's roots into the hole. Spread out the roots slightly with your fingers, so they are still growing straight downward in the hole. Do not spread them out and check inside the hole that the roots are not bent. They need to grow straight down in the hole.

Fill in the hole with amended soil. Examine the center of the crown to ensure it is even with the soil after firming it around the roots. Planting the strawberry at the correct depth determines whether your plants live or die. Do not bury the crown below the soil line. Planting the strawberry plants too shallow exposes the roots and the plants will dry out.

Space each hole 1.5 to 2.5 feet apart with the rows spaced at 3 to 4 feet apart.

Water the soil thoroughly and deeply. Strawberries need about 1 to 2 inches of water per week during the growing season.