How to Grow Strawberries: A Complete Guide to Sweet, Homegrown Harvests
There’s nothing quite like biting into a sun-warmed strawberry straight from your garden. The flavor is richer, the aroma sweeter, and the satisfaction unbeatable. Growing up, my mom refused to buy store-bought strawberries—and I never understood why. I thought strawberries were strawberries… until I tasted homegrown ones.
They’re fresher, juicier, and packed with nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin K, antioxidants, fiber, folic acid, potassium, and manganese. Beyond the health benefits, strawberries are surprisingly easy to grow and rewarding for gardeners of all skill levels.
Whether you want a lush ground cover, a productive raised bed, or a charming hanging basket overflowing with fruit, strawberries adapt beautifully. Here’s everything you need to know—from choosing varieties to harvesting and preventing pests.
Choosing the Right Strawberry Variety
Before planting, pick the type that fits your climate and goals:
Day-Neutral
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Produce fruits continuously throughout the growing season (as long as temperatures stay between 35–85°F).
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‘Albion’ is a popular, delicious choice.
June-Bearing
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Produce one large, abundant harvest in early summer.
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Classic for making jam. ‘Hood’ strawberries fall into this category.
Everbearing
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Produce two main harvests: one in early summer and another in late summer.
Selecting the Perfect Planting Area
Strawberries thrive in full sun, needing 6–10 hours of direct sunlight daily.
They tolerate most soil types but prefer:
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Loamy, nutrient-rich soil
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Good drainage
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Slightly acidic pH (5.5–6.5)
Before planting:
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Work in compost or aged manure.
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Improve drainage with peat moss or sand.
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If space is limited, raised beds, pots, or hanging baskets work perfectly.
When to Plant
Plant strawberries after the last frost, typically March–April.
Once the soil has thawed and warmed slightly, it’s safe to plant.
Planting from Seeds vs. Transplants
Growing from Seed
It takes more patience but is rewarding.
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Start seeds indoors 12–14 weeks before the last frost.
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Cold stratify seeds in the refrigerator for 4 weeks.
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Press seeds lightly onto moist seed-starting mix (don’t bury them).
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Keep temps around 50–60°F until germination (1–6 weeks).
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Move seedlings to bright light and transplant once roots fill their cells.
Using Transplants (Easiest Method)
Most gardeners prefer buying:
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Potted starts, or
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Bare-root plants (soak roots for 20 minutes before planting)
Plant transplants in late spring.
Soil Preparation & Fertilizing
A healthy strawberry bed starts with nutrient-rich soil.
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Add all-purpose organic fertilizer before planting.
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Fertilize again 4–6 weeks after planting.
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Do not fertilize heavily during the fruiting year—too much nitrogen causes weak, easily damaged crops.
DIY Potting Mix for Containers:
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Peat moss or coconut coir
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Perlite
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Organic compost
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Garden lime
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Granular fertilizer
Proper Spacing
Strawberries need space to send out runners.
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Space plants 18 inches apart in rows.
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In containers, give each plant at least 8 inches.
This prevents overcrowding and promotes better airflow.
Watering
Strawberries have shallow roots and need consistent moisture.
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Give 1–2 inches of water weekly (more during heatwaves).
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Water at the base, not the leaves, to prevent fungus.
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Mulch to retain moisture and keep fruits clean.
Mulching
Mulch is essential for strawberries. It:
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Retains soil moisture
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Prevents weeds
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Keeps berries off the soil
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Reduces pests
Use straw, shredded leaves, or newspaper.
Remove Flowers the First Year
To establish strong roots, remove all flowers the first year.
This feels painful, but next year’s harvest will be far bigger and sweeter.
Managing Heat, Mold & Pests
Heat Stress
Above 85°F, strawberries struggle. Add light shade using:
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Floating row covers
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Garden fabric
Mold
Remove any rotting fruits or moldy leaves immediately.
Common Pests
Strawberries attract:
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Slugs
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Birds
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Rodents
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Insects
Solutions:
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Use beer traps or crushed eggshells for slugs.
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Add black plastic mulch to suppress weeds and keep fruit dry.
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Use netting to protect from birds.
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Check for weeds weekly.
Growing Strawberries in Raised Beds
Raised beds offer many advantages:
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Excellent drainage
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Warm soil earlier in spring
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Fewer weeds
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Easier access
Prevent runners from spreading outside the bed, and weed gently to avoid damaging roots.
Harvesting Your Strawberries
The harvest timing depends on the variety:
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Everbearing: 2–3 harvests from late spring to early autumn
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Day-neutral: Fruit continuously all season
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June-bearing: One big harvest early summer
Tip: Strawberries don’t ripen off the vine, so pick only when fully red and fragrant.
Some alpine or specialty varieties ripen white or yellow—look for plump berries that detach easily.
Best Companion Plants for Strawberries
Strawberries love growing alongside:
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Asparagus & rhubarb (tall crops, great living mulch)
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Herbs: basil, dill, thyme, sage, parsley
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Legumes: peas and beans (fix nitrogen)
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Leafy greens: lettuce and spinach improve flavor and hide berries from birds
Avoid planting near:
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Brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, kale)
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Verticillium-wilt–prone crops: tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, melons, pumpkins
Pests, Diseases & Pollination
Common issues include:
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Powdery mildew
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Slugs & snails
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Birds
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Deer
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Low pollination
Solutions:
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Use drip irrigation
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Apply mulch
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Add netting or row covers
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Hand-pollinate if needed indoors
Strawberries are self-pollinating, but insects boost yields.
Enjoying Your Harvest
Once you’ve picked your berries, store them properly or use them in your favorite recipes. Homegrown strawberries spoil faster because they’re chemical-free—another reason they taste superior.
With the right preparation, sunlight, soil, and care, strawberries are one of the most rewarding fruits you can grow. Whether in a backyard garden, a raised bed, or a simple balcony pot, these plants will reward you with sweet, vibrant harvests year after year.