Planting
- Plant strawberries in well drained fertile soil in early spring when ground can be worked.
- Buy bare root plants for best results.
- Make sure to crown is just below dirt with leaves and stems above soil. (plantlets usually have but a few leaves).
- Purchase varieties growers will be happy to help you select a variety that suits your needs and climate.appropriate for your area. Usually
- Plant in small hills for easier care and amending.
- Spacing- 14- 16"
- Add some readily available nitrogen like feather meal, some well rounded long term amendment like bone mean, and calcium in the for of oyster shell to each plant upon planting.
- Chose a sunny location.
Fertilizing
- Side dress with high nitrogen manure like chicken poop after the first spring weeding.
- You can water with fish before the flowering. Once flowering begins stop.
Care
- Keep on top of weeds! Strawberries get shaded quick by weeds. Weeds steal nutrients.
- Water when soil gets dry. A nice chance to dry a little and feel the heat makes strawberries push. This puts on growth.
- Wet conditions too often can create an environment for disease. Watch for signs of distress. Purchase varieties appropriate for your area.
- Remember that plump strawberries require water. But overhead water too close to harvest is not good. Strawberries should be harvested dry--especially if you are marketing them! Wet strawberries rot! Drip tape is preferable.
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