When to Plant: Strawberries can be planted as soon as the danger of last frost has passed, preferring cooler establishment.

Note: To get a jump on early fruit production, you can also plant in fall, 30 days prior to the first average frost.

Light: Full Sun

Soil: Plant in well-drained soil that has been maintained and amended regularly.

If trying my chosen variety, ‘Fresca’, consider planting in a container using general purpose potting mix and treating as an annual. Strawberries are perennial if not manually removed each year, and they spread rapidly with runners. Containers are a great way to maintain boundaries.

Provide moisture when the top 2” of soil is dry. Time between watering cycles is determined by your climate and plant location.

For Containerized Plants: Utilize a slow release pellet fertilizer unless you used a potting mix with slow release pellets already incorporated. You can also use a liquid fertilizer in your water, fertilizing similarly to other annuals in containers throughout the grow season.

Prune away the initial round of flowers to bulk plants in their containers prior to fruiting.

For In-Ground Plants:

1. Amend the top 6-8” of your soil with compost prior to planting, adding any extra mineral amendments as necessary according to your soil test. Keep in mind that potassium is key for fruit development.

2. Prune away the first flush of flowers to allow for plant leaf and root bulking.

3. Spread a granular all-purpose fertilizer (eg. 10-10-10) every 6 weeks after the second flush of flowering starts until September. Spread according to rate instructions on the packaging, applying around the base of each plant, mixing into the top inch of soil with a hand rake. Avoid fertilizer contact with foliage or stems to prevent fertilizer burn or disease problems.

Note: For a more directive nutrient program, a soil test in fall or winter months prior to planting is ideal to determine what you should add. Check out the Kansas Garden Guide for more information on fertilizers.

Harvest strawberries when they ripen in color to a solid red. Allowing to ripen fully before picking will produce the sweetest fruit. Picking early will result in more astringent flavor.

Shelf life: 5-7 days after washed and stored in the refrigerator

There are two types of strawberry plants, and their grow requirements are vastly different!

June-bearing strawberries are typically grown as perennials in production systems and are treated quite differently than their counterparts, ever-bearing strawberries.

Ever-bearing strawberries produce season-long rather than just in June and are usually treated as annuals even though they can be overwintered. They are becoming more popular in large-scale agriculture because of disease prevention implications. (This is an abridged explanation—believe me, I could go into more detail!) Their are two types of ever-bearing strawberries:

1. Ever-bearing, Long Day: Day length affects flower quantities, and therefore fruit production.

2. Ever-bearing, Day Neutral: Day length has little to no effect on flowering and fruiting. These varieties are also less sensitive to heat.

Read the FAQ section to better understand the types of strawberries.

There are many ways to grow many types of strawberries, BUT I recommend growing ever-bearing, day-neutral strawberries, treating them as annuals for best production results. This prevents a vigorous care routine on your part and the building of pest and disease issues that are common to strawberry crops that perennialize.

Here’s how to grow ever-bearing, day neutral strawberries as annuals:

1. Purchase your plants, being sure to select ever-bearing, day-neutral plants (that’s what I offer).

2. Plant after the last danger of frost has passed in ground (preferably raised beds) or in a 12-14” container of choice.

3. Remove the first round of blooms to help plants focus on leaf and root growth.

4. Fertilize with second flush of blooms, and every 6 weeks after if in ground OR every week if using liquid feed in a container.

5. Harvest fruit all season. After the first frost, REMOVE all plants as possible.

6. Start fresh the next season!