Growing strawberries successfully requires a balance of good soil preparation, sunlight, water management, and consistent feeding. Strawberries are relatively low-maintenance plants, but they thrive when their growing environment is optimized. Begin by selecting a location that gets full sun—strawberries need at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily to produce their best yields. Choose a spot with well-drained, slightly acidic soil with a pH range of 5.5 to 6.8. If your soil doesn’t fall within this range, you can amend it with sulfur or compost to lower the pH and add organic matter.
Before planting, work compost and BigAss Berries fertilizer into the soil. If planting in a garden bed, use 1 tablespoon of fertilizer per square foot of planting area. For container growing, adjust the amount based on container size (1 tablespoon for a 12-inch container). Make sure to mix the fertilizer evenly with the soil and water thoroughly after planting to activate the nutrients.
Strawberry plants should be spaced about 12-18 inches apart to ensure adequate air circulation, which helps prevent disease. There are three main types of strawberries: June-bearing, everbearing, and day-neutral. June-bearing varieties produce a single large crop in late spring to early summer, while everbearing and day-neutral varieties produce smaller crops throughout the growing season. Choose the type that fits your growing goals.
Once planted, mulch around the base of the plants to retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and prevent the fruit from touching the soil, which can lead to rot. Straw or wood chips work well as mulch materials. Strawberries need about 1-1.5 inches of water per week, especially during fruit production, but be careful not to overwater. Water the plants at the base to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to fungal diseases like powdery mildew.
To ensure ongoing health and productivity, fertilize your strawberries every 6-8 weeks using BigAss Berries fertilizer. This organic fertilizer provides a balanced nutrient blend to support plant growth and fruiting. Be sure to follow the container size recommendations when growing in pots, as too much fertilizer can harm the plants. Regular feeding ensures the plants have the nutrients needed for strong root development, lush foliage, and abundant, flavorful berries.
In the first year, consider removing the blossoms from June-bearing varieties to allow the plants to focus on establishing strong roots. For everbearing and day-neutral varieties, you can allow the first flowers to bloom, but thinning the early blooms can result in larger fruit later in the season.
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