General
Garden strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa) are hardy perennials grown for sweet, aromatic berries. Types: June-bearing (largest crops in early summer), everbearing (two flushes, early summer and late summer), and day-neutral (continuous light cropping in suitable temperatures). Plants spread by runners and yield best in years 2–3, then decline. Mulch keeps fruit clean and reduces disease. In colder areas, winter protection improves survival and spring vigor.
Light
Full sun (6–8+ hours of direct light).
Soil type
Moist but well-drained loam enriched with compost; high organic matter; good aeration. Raised beds or ridges help in heavy soils.
Water requirement
Even moisture; ~25–30 mm/week, more during fruit set and hot spells. Avoid wetting foliage and fruit; use drip or soaker hoses.
Nutrient requirement
Moderate to high, especially potassium and calcium. Light, split applications; avoid heavy nitrogen during flowering to reduce gray mold.
Precultivation
Most home growers plant runners or potted crowns. From seed, sow thinly on the surface of sterile seed mix (do not cover; light aids germination). Maintain 18–22°C and high humidity; bottom-water. Some varieties benefit from 2–4 weeks cold stratification at 2–4°C. Prick out to individual plugs once true leaves form. Grow on cool and bright to avoid legginess. Harden off 7–10 days before planting.
Planting
Plant when days are mild and soil workable. Space 30–40 cm between plants and 60–90 cm between rows (wider for matted-row systems). Set crowns exactly at soil level—too deep risks rot, too high dries out. Incorporate 3–5 L/m² of mature compost and a balanced organic fertilizer. Aim for pH 5.5–6.5. Mulch with clean straw, wood chips, or woven fabric to suppress weeds and keep fruit clean. In short seasons, low tunnels or fleece hasten flowering and protect blossoms from late frost.
Pruning
Pinch off first-year flowers on newly planted June-bearers (optional) to build roots. During the season, remove runners unless you need them for propagation; root selected daughter plants in small pots. After the main harvest, shear off old, diseased leaves of established June-bearers, leaving crowns and new leaves intact. In early spring, clean out dead foliage and surplus runners.
Maintenance
Water consistently; avoid drought swings that cause small or misshapen fruit. Feed lightly in early spring and again after the first flush of fruiting (day-neutral/everbearing may need a third light feed). Maintain 5–8 cm of organic mulch. Net against birds, and hand-pick slugs; use beer traps or iron phosphate baits if needed. Encourage beneficials and ensure good airflow to reduce gray mold. In zones colder than your plant’s rating, mulch crowns after soil freezes with 5–10 cm straw; remove most mulch in spring as growth resumes.
Harvest
Pick when berries are fully colored to the calyx and aromatic. Harvest in the cool of morning, with caps attached for better keeping. Handle gently; refrigerate promptly and consume within 2–3 days. June-bearers peak for 2–3 weeks in early summer; everbearers/day-neutrals give smaller but prolonged harvests into early autumn.
Common issues
Gray mold (Botrytis): reduce canopy density, mulch, avoid overhead watering, remove infected fruit. Powdery mildew: improve airflow; use sulfur or potassium bicarbonate as needed. Slugs/snails: hand-pick, traps, copper barriers, tidy mulch edges. Birds: netting. Spider mites in heat: hose off, encourage predatory mites. Late frosts: cover blossoms with fleece at night. Nutrient issues: small fruit from low K; apply sulfate of potash or seaweed-based feeds sparingly.
Pollination
Self-fertile flowers; insects (bees, hoverflies) improve fruit size and uniformity.
Companion plants
Borage, thyme, chives, garlic, onions, spinach, lettuce, bush beans, marigold, nasturtium.
Incompatible plants
Tomato, potato, eggplant, peppers (Verticillium risk); brassicas directly adjacent; raspberries (shared pests); mint in the same bed (invasive).
