Strawberries can produce year-round in mild Mediterranean climates, but they grow well almost everywhere as spring or summer fruits. The secret to productive and healthy plants is good soil and the right site. Strawberries need at least six hours of daily sunlight and weed-free, well-draining soil that's rich in organic matter. Preparing your site six months before planting ensures that the soil develops the necessary nutrient quality for healthy plants and abundant fruiting.
Weed a full-sun bed thoroughly six months prior to planting. Till the soil to an 8-inch depth, and remove all visible weeds, seeds and roots that could later resume growing in the bed.
Perform a soil test on the garden bed immediately after weeding, six months before planting the strawberries, following the directions in the testing kit. Apply lime to the soil in the amount recommended by the test if the pH is too low, then till it in to an 8- to 10-inch depth. Strawberries require a pH between 5.5 and 7.5.
Cover the soil with straw mulch or plastic mulch after weeding and testing. Mulch prevents weeds from growing in the soil before planting.
Spread a 2- to 4-inch layer of compost or well-aged manure over the bed up to one week before planting. Sprinkle 4 ounces of 16-16-16 fertilizer per 10-foot row over the bed. Turn the compost and fertilizer into the top 8 inches of soil so that the nutrients are available to the developing strawberries after planting.
Things You Will Need
- Power tiller or hoe
- Soil test kit
- Agricultural lime
- Straw or plastic mulch
- 16-16-16 fertilizer
- Strawberries benefit from additional fertilizer application made 30 days and 60 days after planting, using the same amount as in the initial application.
- If your soil drains poorly, build a 6- to 10-inch-high raised bed, and fill it with quality soil for your strawberry garden.
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