Plant Strawberries for Spring Garden Success

Date:  March 24, 1997
Editor: D'Lyn Ford  (505) 646-6528, dlford@nmsu.edu

LAS CRUCES -- If you're looking for a sweet addition to your spring garden, pick strawberries. The small, popular fruits are easy to grow and are a tasty source of vitamin C.

"Spring is the best time to plant bareroot strawberries," said George Dickerson, horticulture specialist with New Mexico State University's Cooperative Extension Service. "A garden of 25-50 strawberry plants will produce enough berries for an average-sized family."

June bearers will produce one crop of strawberries per year in late spring to early summer, Dickerson said. "Since the crop is often lost to late frosts, most gardeners prefer everbearers that produce crops in the spring and fall, or day-neutrals that produce light crops throughout the growing season."

Order plants from a reputable seed company to ensure they are virus-free, Dickerson advised. Prepare the garden well in advance, so the strawberries can be planted immediately after arrival.

Strawberries prefer a well-drained sandy loam soil relatively high in organic matter, he said. The addition of 2-3 inches of garden compost will improve most soils. Also, one pound of 12-24-12 fertilizer per 100 square feet of garden will help get the plants off to a good start.

"Soak plant roots in water for a short time upon arrival," Dickerson said. "Then trim roots back to 6 inches and remove any dead leaves."

Pinch off any flowers to force all the plant's nutrients into producing strong roots and stems.

Spread the roots in the planting hole and cover with soil. "The crown of the plant, with one or two green leaves, should be level with the soil surface," he said. Water immediately after planting.

Plant spacing in the bed depends on the strawberry variety. "Junebearers can be planted 18 to 24 inches apart," Dickerson said. "Runners that form in early summer will produce daughter plants that will establish themselves between the mother plants." Everbearers and day-neutral types produce fewer runners and can be spaced closer together.

Depending on the strawberry variety they pick, gardeners can reap sweet success throughout the year.