STRAWBERRY PLANTING GUIDE - Organic Heirloom Gardens

Posted by Organic Heirloom Gardens on Mar 24th 2019

Soak crowns (roots/plants) in water or compost tea for 20 minutes to 1 hour before planting.
Dig a trench for each row. 24-36 inches wide, 6-10 inches deep. Rows 48 inches apart. (Center to Center)
Break up and mix soil dug from trench with compost and/or loose soil.
Add ALL mixed soil back into trench forming a “hill”. The hill should be 24 inches wide. (Your Row Width)
Plant crowns (roots/plants) 12-18 inches apart on each side of this hill.
Crowns should be covered to the center point. All roots covered. Half of the crown sticking out of the soil.
Water rows well to help get plants started.
Mulch if desired. (Straw or Wood Chips)

Pinch blooms off first year. This will mean healthier plants in successive years, larger harvests.
Water regularly, evenly. About 1 inch per week. If mulched well, established plants will need less water.
Weed beds regularly. Remove runners (daughter plants) as needed to prevent overcrowding.
In fall cut all dead foliage back. Cover plants with 1-2 inches compost and 1-2 inches straw/pine/wood mulch for winter.
Remove mulch in spring uncovering plants. Spread remaining compost left under the mulch you remove.
Add new straw for grow season if desired. Straw or other mulch will help keep fruit off soil preventing rot.

Harvest 4-6 weeks after blooming starts.
Junebearing plants will produce all fruit at once, around June. Everbearing will produce fruit all summer and fall.
Check plants every few days, over ripened fruit will rot and attract pests.
Cut berries by stem. Pulling berries can damage plants.
Store fresh unwashed berries in refrigerator for 3-7 days.
Frozen whole berries store for 2-3+ months. Freeze washed in bags.