How to Fertizlize Strawberries

Water-soluble Fertilizer

• 1

  Select a good quality fertilizer. All fertilizers contain three essential elements: nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Choose a fertilizer that has either an equal proportion of each -- usually labeled 10-10-10 -- or a slightly higher amount of phosphorous -- labelled 10-20-10 -- for larger berries.

• 2

  Place water soluble fertilizer powder or liquid into the watering can and mix with fresh water in the proportions recommended by the manufacturer.

• 3

  Water the strawberries so that the fertilizer moistens the soil evenly. The best time to do this is in the morning, before the sun becomes too hot.

• 4

  Water the strawberries again with more fresh water so that the fertilizer can penetrate the ground and reach the root system. Strawberries need approximately 1-inch of water per week, so it is important to be generous.

• 5

  Repeat fertilization twice during the growing season. The first time should be in the spring before the plants flower and the second time should be in July after the harvest.

Solid Pellet Type Fertilizers

• 6

  Select a good quality fertilizer. As noted above, all fertilizers contain nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Choose a fertilizer that has either an equal proportion of each -- usually labeled 10-10-10 -- or a slightly higher amount of phosphorous -- labeled 10-20-10.

• 7

  Put on thick rubber gloves to protect your hands. Take a handful of fertilizer and sprinkle an even layer around the strawberry plants. Typically, you should aim to use 1 cup of fertilizer for every 10 foot row, or 1 lb. for every 100 square feet.

• 8

  Water the strawberries with fresh water so that the fertilizer can penetrate the ground and reach the root system. Strawberries need approximately 1-inch of water per week.

• 9

  Repeat fertilization twice during the growing season, once in the spring before the plants flower and once in July after the harvest.