How to Bloom Strawberry Plants

The strawberry fruit has been valued since ancient Roman times for its medicinal properties. Strawberries contain more Vitamin C than citrus fruit, are high in antiviral and anti-cancer agents, and benefit the cardiovascular system. If you’re a home gardener, strawberry plants are easy to maintain and will usually provide at least a small harvest of fruit. However, you'll need to learn how to properly plant and care for your strawberry plants so they yield the healthiest and most delicious strawberry crop. Strawberry plants can be planted outdoors in late winter or early spring.

Things You'll Need

Strawberry plants
Fertilizer
Rake or hoe

Broken egg shells
Net
Straw

Instructions

- 1
  Prepare the soil for your strawberry plants by digging over the soil with a rake or hoe. Remove any weeds and add fertilizer.
- 2
  Position your strawberry plants in soil that has been slightly mounded to allow for drainage. Plant in full sun and allow 13 inches between each strawberry plant in rows that are 30 inches apart. Make sure the crown of the strawberry plant, which is the stem base, is not planted too deep below the soil's surface. Place broken egg shells under each strawberry plant to prevent slug infestation.
- 3
  Regularly rake or hoe between the rows and individual plants. Avoid over-watering the strawberry plants, since too much water can cause the plant to rot and not produce fruit.
- 4
  Protect strawberry plants from spring frosts by covering the strawberry rows with a layer of straw or plastic sheeting, if the weather forecast predicts severe temperature drops. Remove the covers when the outdoor temperature becomes warmer. Frost damage can prevent strawberry plants from blooming.
- 5
  Check the plants every other day during the ripening period. Place a thin net over the strawberry plants once they begin to bloom to keep away birds and squirrels from eating the fruit. Harvest strawberries daily during the fruiting season so they don't rot on the strawberry plant.

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