The Best Time for Growing Strawberries

Season

• Plant strawberries in early spring in all U.S. Department of Agriculture zones after the last expected frost to give them a warm start and full summer of growing. Exact timing depends on growing zone and the year's specific weather forecast. Strawberries also thrive with early fall plantings in warm USDA zones 9 and 10.

Site

• Strawberries need sun, drainage and air movement to grow and produce fruit. Plant seedlings at 15 to 24 inches apart in the row. Leave three to four feet between rows to allow room for gardening and growth. Strawberries rot in standing water, mold in still, humid air and fail in deep shade.

Soil

• Plant strawberries in rich, crumbly soil for best result. Use soil with high organic content for strawberries, and amend soil with peat moss, organic compost, rotted manure or straw before planting. Start strawberries with granular 6-24-24 fertilizer to encourage root development.

Renovation

• Strawberries require season-long care for fruiting and fall renovation for the next season's bloom. This renovation effectively consists of "replanting" the plants. Mow the plants to the soil after the last harvest, fertilize them with 12-12-12 fertilizer, cover the site with 1/2 inch of topsoil or organic compost and water as usual. Strawberry runners break through the soil as new plants and grow through fall and winter to produce the next season's blooms and fruit.