How to Grow Strawberries in the Midwest

Choose the location for the strawberries. They require full sunlight and a soil that drains well. Avoid using a plot of land where strawberries, tomatoes, potatoes and peppers have been planted in the previous three years, as planting in that situation can lead to root-disease problems for the new strawberry plants.

Prepare the soil for the plants. Mix topsoil and compost together in a 50-50 mix and place it over the ground where you are planting the strawberries. Till the topsoil/compost mix into the soil. Add starter fertilizer and lime to the soil two to three weeks before you plant the strawberries.

Purchase strawberry plants that are healthy in appearance and are certified as virus-free.

Remove most of the leaves from the plants, leaving only the two or three healthiest ones.

Plant the strawberries by creating a hole in the soil about 6 inches deep with a trowel. Place the plant into the soil so that the crown -- the area at which the leaves begin -- is even with the top of the ground. Backfill the rest of the hole with soil, and lightly compact it.

Pour a pint of water into the ground around the strawberry plant immediately after it has been planted.

Plant the other strawberry plants, leaving a space of 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 feet between each plant.

Water the plants enough to keep the soil moist to a depth of about 12 inches. Installing a drip-irrigation system can provide water directly to the plants' roots while reducing the risk of moisture-based disease on the plants' leaves.

Fertilize the plants with ammonium nitrate between August 15 and September 15. Use 1 1/2 lbs for every 100 feet of strawberries. Dust the fertilizer off of the strawberry leaves to prevent damage, and add an inch of water to the soil if dry conditions are expected for the next few days.