Growing Strawberries: From Runners to Abundant Harvests

Nothing compares to sun-warmed strawberries picked fresh from your garden. These rewarding fruits produce abundantly in small spaces, making them perfect for any garden size.

Types of Strawberries

June-Bearing

Produce one large harvest in early summer. Best for preserving, freezing, and jam-making. Varieties like Honeoye, Earliglow, and Jewel offer exceptional flavor.

Everbearing and Day-Neutral

Produce smaller harvests throughout the growing season. Albion, Seascape, and Tristar provide berries from spring through fall frost.

Planting Strawberries

Plant in early spring as soon as soil can be worked. Set crowns at soil level—too deep causes rot, too shallow exposes roots. Space plants 12-18 inches apart in rows 3 feet apart.

Growing Systems

Matted Row

Allow runners to fill in between plants, creating a dense mat. Best for June-bearers and low-maintenance gardening.

Hill System

Remove all runners, focusing plant energy on fruit production. Produces larger berries and works well for everbearing types.

Care Throughout the Season

Mulch with straw to keep berries clean and soil moist. Remove flowers the first year to strengthen plants. Renovate June-bearing beds after harvest by mowing and thinning.

Pest and Disease Management

Rotate planting locations every 3-4 years to prevent soil-borne diseases. Use bird netting to protect ripening fruit.

Explore raised bed techniques and container growing for strawberry success.