Plant strawberry in early spring with the midpoint of the crown at the soil line. A buried crown rots. A perched crown dries out.
Plant in early spring with the crown at soil level
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| When | Early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked | Fall plant that heaves in freeze-thaw |
| Crown | Midpoint of the crown even with the soil | Burying the growing point, or leaving roots in air |
| Roots | Trim long roots; fan them straight down | Bending roots into a J in a shallow hole |
| Kind | Matted row for June-bearers; single plants for day-neutral | One spacing for every tag |
Bare-root bundles ship dormant. Soak the roots about an hour, then plant the same day. Allstar and other June-bearers go into a matted row. Seascape and other day-neutrals stay as single plants. [1] Match the harvest group on Types of Strawberry before you set spacing.
How deep do I plant the crown?
Set the midpoint of the crown even with the soil. Half the crown in soil, leaf buds in air.
How to plant strawberries
- Dig a hole deep enough for the roots to hang straight down. Trim roots to about 4 to 6 inches if they are tangled.
- Set the plant so the midpoint of the crown sits at the soil surface. Spread the roots. Firm the soil so there are no air pockets. [2] [3]
- For June-bearers, space plants 18 to 24 inches apart in rows about 4 feet apart. Let runners fill a mat about 12 to 24 inches wide.
- For everbearing and day-neutral plants, space about 12 inches apart and keep them as single crowns. Pinch runners.
- Water in, then apply a weak starter fertilizer solution. Pinch all flowers on June-bearers through the first season. On day-neutrals, pinch flowers for the first 4 to 6 weeks, then let fruit set.
How far apart should I plant strawberries?
June-bearers 18 to 24 inches in rows about 4 feet apart. Everbearing and day-neutral plants about 12 inches apart as single plants.
Should I pinch the first flowers?
Yes on June-bearers the first year, so the crown can bulk up. Day-neutrals: pinch for about 4 to 6 weeks, then let them fruit.
What fails at planting
A crown buried under soil smothers. A crown sitting high dries the roots. Roots bent sideways in a shallow hole stall. Wet, cloddy soil makes the plant settle too deep after the first rain. [4] Do not plant into a frost pocket or a lawn you just killed if white grubs are still in the sod.
If new leaves stall, check the crown. Lift or settle it until the midpoint sits at the soil line.
FAQ
Can I start garden strawberries from seed?
Garden hybrids are sold as crowns. Seed is mainly for alpine vesca, and those need a cold spell before they germinate.
Can I plant in fall?
Early spring is the usual window. Fall planting heaves in freeze-thaw. Wait until the soil can be worked in spring.
Do I peg the runners?
On a June-bearing matted row, let runners root in the row and pull the ones that wander into the path. On day-neutral plants, pinch runners.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] University of Maryland Extension -
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/growing-strawberries-home-garden - [2] Iowa State University Extension -
https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/faq/what-proper-way-plant-strawberries - [3] Ohio State University Extension -
https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-1424 - [4] NC State Extension Gardener -
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/fragaria-x-ananassa/
This note is part of Fragaria Guides.
More planting notes by plant are gathered in Planting Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors