Reply from Mr. Strawberry. Strawberries grow well in boxes and pots. Space your strawberry plants 8-14 inches apart. The runner plants will spread freely from the mother plants, and you’ll have solid strawberries. How Far Apart to Plant Strawberries Soil Amendments ... weed free compost; leaf mold), upwards of 40-60% of the total volume. Pruning I have the 6' 4x4 vinyl posts and will put caps on the end with food grade silicon. Storing Bare Root Strawberries Set your plants about 10-14” apart in the row with the rows 1½-2’ apart. Plant strawberries in late spring or early summer, when there is no risk of frost. Five or six plants will fit in a bag when it is lying flat. In order to make this easier, we have put together this handy plant spacing chart to help you. The midpoint of the crown must be even with the soil surface; if plants are set too shallow, crowns may dry out. Continue to add more soil to the height of each pocket, firming lightly each time and putting one strawberry plant in each pocket. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. Grow them on a patio, or if you don’t have a garden you can put the pot on a … Spacing of strawberries and whether you remove runners, the plants produced from the original plant, depends on the type of planting system you choose to grow your strawberries in: matted row, spaced-row or hill systems. add flavor to summertime, whether you eat them in a fruit salad or straight from the garden. Agnes, If you have a 4×4 foot garden plot, plant one strawberry plant in the center of each square foot during the very early spring. Space the plants 18 inches (46 cm.) Bed or hill planting helps strawberry plants avoid root rot and over-saturated soil conditions. Answer Save. Also, rodents can dig their way through the soil, so if you have issues with rodents in general, when setting the raised garden bed, put a metal wire net into the soil. Matted rows are ideal for gardens with limited space. Space strawberry plants 1 foot apart with 2 feet between rows when using the hill system. Space rows 75cm (30in) apart. Crowns (the tops of individual dormant plants) should be at soil level, 40cm (16in) apart in the row with 1m (3ft) between the rows; Many gardeners grow strawberries through polythene, ideally white, with black on the underside, but any plastic mulching film will do. (12-16in) apart. In general, space June-bearer plants 12 to 24 inches apart. Runners may however be left on a fully mature plant if you are looking to plant more. Use deep pots at least 15cm wide and plant one strawberry per pot. If you are using beds that are wider than 3 feet, plant in rows that are 3 feet apart. And are there any other details we would need to know? University of Maine Cooperative Extension discusses how to plant a strawberry bed. Keep the rows about 48" apart. As the first fruits to ripen in spring, strawberries are nutritious assets to any garden. Pour the soil into the grow bag slowly to ensure it distributes evenly. I am building some more strawberry walls using 4x4 posts this time. PLANTING STRAWBERRY PLANTS IN BLOCKS Many people don't have room for a long row of strawberries but do have room for a block of them. Strawberries are sprawling plants. Set your plants about 10-14” apart in the row with the rows 1½-2’ apart. How to plant. Fill a plastic tub with loam-based compost and container gardening mix. First and foremost, all strawberry plants need to be protected from the cold. Place 4 to 6 inches of straw mulch around strawberry plants to protect the soil. Fruit growth may be stunted and diseased if the matted rows become too dense. The following table tells you when to plant strawberry plants according to the U.S. agricultural zones: Strawberries are happy to grow in strawberry jars and hanging baskets, too. Map out an area that allows the strawberries ample room to grow, whether in matted rows or beds. To grow large berries, remove unwanted runners. Place the basket in shade for a few days, then move it to a permanent location where it will get six to 10 hours of direct sunlight each day. 5. Pinch or cut all the strawberry flowers off of the plants in year one, but allow the strawberry runners to grow and root within the 4×4 feet of garden. While the initial spacing follows the matted row system, it differs in that you pull all runners that root within 4 inches of the original plant. Trim the roots of the strawberry plants if they are longer than 8 inches. If you’d rather spend less on plants and don’t mind a bit of a wait, it’s fine to space the plants a few feet apart. Although you can plant any variety of strawberry in a pot, everbearing plants typically do better in containers than June-bearing plants. Agnes, If you have a 4×4 foot garden plot, plant one strawberry plant in the center of each square foot during the very early spring. Can I Use Miracle-Gro on My Strawberry Plants? Set strawberry plants 8 to 24 inches apart, in rows that are 2 to 4 feet apart, depending on the cultivar and growing method. Dig small, shallow holes with a garden trowel. If this is your plan make sure that the size of the block allows you to easily get to the fruit at harvest times. Remove weeds carefully by hand only; cultivation may damage roots. If you're short on garden space, strawberry plants grow well in hanging baskets, or you can plant straight into a bag of Tui Strawberry Mix – just remember to make small drainage holes underneath. Space strawberry plants 18 to 30 inches with 3 feet between rows when using the spaced-row system. Create rows about 30 to 36 inches between them. The best time to plant is in the early spring when the lowest temperature does not go below 25 °F (−4 °C). Measure your strawberry garden plot to determine the number of plants you'll need. The greater the distance between them, the less the chance of accidental cross-contamination if one of the plants becomes diseased. Water in well and lay a 2-inch (5 cm.) These are like little windows that let you grow even more plants in just one container! Also called short-day types, June-bearer strawberries—planted in late summer through fall—produce large crops the following spring. Which system you choose depends on how much work you plan to do and how many strawberries you hope to harvest. The reason is that strawberries have shallow root systems, which means that they can’t dig very deep to obtain water. Add a general purpose fertiliser such as Growmore at 100g per sq m (3oz per sq yd). These plants produce well, but produce less each year; replace plants every one to three years. This strawberry planting guide will show you when you should put your strawberry plants in the ground. Rows should be spaced 75-90cm (30-36in) apart leaving a 15-30cm (6-12in) gap between the rows for water to penetrate. When planting strawberries in a garden, some pre-planning is needed. Strawberry plants need lots of room and sunlight to grow well, so not crowding them when you plant them is the best way to ensure your plants will thrive. Bare root strawberry plants should begin leafing out by early summer. Space strawberry plants 18 to 30 inches apart with rows 3 feet apart when using the matted row system. apart in rows that are 3 feet (1 m.) apart. Space the holes 6 to 8 inches apart. Day-neutral strawberry varieties can usually be planted closer together than June-bearer varieties. When to Plant a Strawberry Pot . If you plant everbearing and day-neutral strawberries in beds, plant them in two or three rows spaced 1 foot apart. Reply from Mr. Do not plant strawberries in garden soil previously used for peppers, tomatoes or eggplants—these vegetables strip the soil of needed nutrients. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Use this vegetable plant spacing guide to help you plan how best to place vegetables in your garden. If you haven’t yet purchased any, you can follow this link to buy strawberry plants. Plant strawberry plants in the spring as soon as you can work the ground easily, usually in March or April. Space strawberry plants 18 to 30 inches with 3 feet between rows when using the spaced-row system. Some cultivars of short-day strawberries include 'Sequoia,' 'Chandler,' 'Pajaro,' 'Camarosa' and 'Douglas,' advises the University of California Davis. Time Frame Set your strawberry plants in the ground in early spring, as soon as the soil warms enough to be turned. layer of mulch around each plant to conserve water. The majority of polythene covered raised beds constructed by commercial strawberry growers carry two rows of plants, 30-40cm apart (12-16in), with plants 40-45cm (16-18in) apart within the row. Strawberries are a naturally sprawling plant, so your plants may start producing runners after about 4-5 weeks. Strawberries are also suited to growing in pots and hanging baskets. You can plant them in pots, baskets, boxes or straight into the garden. Build a box measuring 5 to 7 feet wide and 18 inches to 4 feet long. The plants will spread as they grow. For more but smaller berries, space runners about 10 inches from the parent plant, and loop them around the plant. Plant a variety. You can even plant your strawberries in short rows within a raised bed. Tuck the plants into the hole so the crown is set above the surrounding plastic and compost, then fold the plastic back down. Watering your strawberry plants is one of the most important things you can do. Plant strawberry plants so that the soil just covers the root tops. A young strawberry plant will not fruit as well if the runners aren’t removed as they use up too much energy. Water well for the first few weeks. Strawberry plants have shallow roots that must be kept watered throughout the growing season. This system produces high yields with a little bit of maintenance. Leave 36 to 40 inches between rows. Weed regularly between plants to keep weeds from limiting the growth of your plants, and water regularly throughout the growing season. All Rights Reserved. Prepare your ground by digging in two buckets of well-rotted manure or garden compost per sq m (sq yd). This system produces average yields with no maintenance. For plants in the ground, that means applying a heavy 4 to 6″ thick mulch of straw, shredded leaves, or even pine needles in late fall. Set strawberry plants 8 to 24 inches apart, in rows that are 2 to 4 feet apart, depending on the cultivar and growing method. Various traits and sizes of June-bearer and day-neutral strawberry cultivars determine the specific amount of space needed for the plants and runners to grow. Water deeply with about 1 inch of water per week. Pick ripe or nearly-ripe strawberries each week and remove dead leaves and other debris from the rows. Thereafter, irrigate the bed each week with 1-2 inches (3-5 cm.) Space strawberry plants 18 to 30 inches apart with rows 3 feet apart when using the matted row system. Place day-neutral strawberry plants 8 to 12 inches apart. Protect strawberry plants and fruits from pests like mice or birds using protective nets with mesh large enough to let the bees in, but keeping the pest away from the strawberries. Dig out a hole large enough to accommodate the roots. Strawberry plants can be spaced as close as 8 inches or as far apart as several feet. How far apart do strawberry plants need to be planted? 1 Answer. The Best Strawberries for Hanging Planters, University of California: The California Garden Web: Strawberries, University of California Davis: Growing Strawberries on the North Coast, University of Illinois Extension: Strawberry, National Public Radio: The Secret Life of California’s World Class Strawberries: Dan Charles, May, 2012, Step-by-Step on How Strawberries Are Grown, The Best Time to Transplant Strawberry Plants. Remove all runners as they appear, leaving only the original plant. This is the ideal planting system for the backyard gardener with a small strawberry patch where it’s not necessary to walk between the rows. For a quick harvest, it’s better to go with an 8-12 inch spacing to maximize the number of plants. Water plants regularly giving your strawberries about 1-1.5-inches per week, especially during the hottest months of the summer. Plant the strawberries so their roots are just buried, about 30-45cm apart, then firm the soil around them. Plants should be spaced 40cm / 16in apart. In this method, strawberry plants are planted about 1-1/2' apart, in rows about 4' apart. Cover the plants in the winter, especially if temperatures fall below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Sommer Leigh has produced home, garden, family and health content since 1997 for such nationally known publications as "Better Homes and Gardens," "Ladies' Home Journal," "Midwest Living," "Healthy Kids" and "American Baby." Test the soil before planting. The berries differ in color, shape, size and flavor. Pruning. How To Prepare Strawberry Plants For Winter Strawberries Planted In The Ground. Well-tended plants should produce fruits in about three months. Tuck a strawberry plant in the pocket, setting it at a bit of an angle (Image 2). Place the plants in single rows about 12 to 18 inches apart. You could use a tea compost, or try the Minigarden Grow Up Orange nutritional supplement for fruit-bearing and flowering plants. Allow runners to root without constraint. Space strawberry plants 18 to 30 inches apart with rows 3 feet apart when using the matted row system. Because the potting soil in a strawberry pot warms up fairly quickly when exposed on all sides, you may be able to plant a little earlier than you do for in-ground garden plants. Keeping the plants far enough apart will give them space to expand. Spacing of strawberries and whether you remove runners, the plants produced from the original plant, depends on the type of planting system you choose to grow your strawberries in: matted row, spaced-row or hill systems. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, strawberries image by Joelyn Pullano from, University of Illinois Extension: Growing Strawberries, University of Minnesota Extension: Strawberries for the Home Garden, National Gardening Association: Growing Strawberries in Small Spaces. Strawberry. Relevance. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! She has a Bachelor of Science in information technology and Web management from the University of Phoenix. Keep the crown uncovered to allow runner production. Find out what you need to do. Plant tomatoes and strawberries as far apart as possible in the same garden. Place the strawberry plants about 10 to 14 inches apart. Select only tomato and strawberry varieties that are resistant to the diseases that are prevalent in your area. of water. Keeping the plants far enough apart will give them space to expand. Pinch any runners and discard them, or use them to propagate new strawberry plants. 1 decade ago. Tuck the plants into the hole so the crown is set above the surrounding plastic and compost, then fold the plastic back down. 9. Measure out planting holes 35cm (14in) apart. Allow runners to root without constraint. Set plants out 20 inches apart to leave room for runners and leave 4 feet between rows. Day-neutral cultivars are planted in early spring; they produce fruit from summer through the fall. Leigh also owns a Web-consulting business and writes for several Internet publications. Strawberry pots are best planted at the same time as any outdoor container—normally in the spring once all danger of frost has passed. Depending on the cultivar and space allotment, beds may be about 2 feet wide and 40 inches apart. To use this chart, simply find the vegetable you plan on putting into your garden and follow the suggested spacing for between the plants and between the rows. This system produces average yields with no maintenance. Water the soil and place the planter in full sunlight. The plants will grow until they eventually form thick, lush rows about 2' wide. Trim long or damaged strawberry plant roots to about 6 inches; this will help it set firmly into the ground. Plant strawberries 8 to 24 inches apart depending on the variety of strawberry. Strawberries do best with 1 … Strawberry plants are normally planted about 18-24 inches apart in the row. The sturdy little plants prosper when planted in properly prepared beds or rows, or you can put them to work as edible edgings or let them sprawl over the top of a wall. Pinch or cut all the strawberry flowers off of the plants in year one, but allow the strawberry runners to grow and root within the 4×4 feet of garden. Seedlings will send out runners, or ‘daughter’ plants, which in … Your plants should be spaced one to one and a half feet (30-46 cm.) Space strawberry plants 18 to 30 inches with 3 feet between rows when using the spaced-row system. Strawberry plants need lots of room and sunlight to grow well, so not crowding them when you plant them is the best way to ensure your plants will thrive. Fill it with fresh potting mix, at least 6 to 8 inches deep, and add fertilizer, according to package directions, to the soil. The advantage of planting in a strawberry pot is that you it doesn’t take up much space in your garden. Wait until a cloudy day or late afternoon to plant. As they grow, they spread by sending out runners, which root right in the garden bed and produce daughter plants. How far apart do strawberry plants have to be planted? The second major type of strawberries, day-neutral plants, should be planted 8 to 12 inches apart, with 30 to 36 inches between rows. Some cultivars include 'Fern,' 'Hecker,' 'Muir,' 'Irvine' and 'Selva.' Our school is creating a school garden, but we need help. Strawberry plants grow best in full sun and well-drained soils with pH ranges of 5.5 to 7.5. Create hills or beds at least 12 to 18 inches high so that roots have room to spread. Water the beds thoroughly and consistently because they dry out quicker than surrounding soil. To widen your harvest window, it’s a great idea to have strawberry plants with different fruiting habits. Plant strawberries in late spring or early summer, when there is no risk of frost. How far apart should I place strawberries plants in a hydroponic 4x4 post setup? First-season cultivation is an important step in establishing a productive ongoing strawberry bed. The runner plants will spread freely from the mother plants, and you’ll have solid strawberries. Upper parts of the plant’s crown (between the leaf stems and roots) must be above or level to the ground. smokey. Lv 7. After strawberry plants have finished fruiting, give them a little attention to keep the plants healthy and in good shape. 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Their roots are just buried, about 30-45cm apart, then fold the plastic back down with food grade.... Extension discusses how to plant more strawberries set your strawberry plants can be spaced one to one and half! Reason is that you it doesn’t take up much space in your Hardiness Zone with our new map! Have finished fruiting, give them space to expand cm. bed or hill planting helps strawberry plants need be... You when you should put your strawberry plants have to be turned growth. Ongoing strawberry bed and roots ) must be above or level to the ground easily, in... How much work you plan how best to place vegetables in your garden depends on how work! Reason is that strawberries have shallow root systems, which in … Reply from Mr....