Growing Strawberries

K-State Research & Extension

Ward Upham

Strawberries: Background

PAggregate fruitPCan expect 1 to 12 pounds of fruit per plant.

Strawberries:Background

How Fruit is Borne

Strawberry: First Steps

P Find source of virus-free plants: normally planting lasts 3 to 4 yearsP Strawberries should not be planted after tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, or potatoes because they can be a source of Verticillium wiltP Choose cultivar(s)

Types of Strawberries

P June Bearers: Produce crop in May. Produces more total fruit than other types.P Everbearers: Produce crop in May and again in late-summer to early fall. Some berries produced in summer. P Day-Neutrals: Like everbearers but more fruit during summer. However, flower production inhibited above 70F.

Variety Season Berry Quality Freezer Quality

Earliglow Early Very good Good

Redchief Mid Very good Very good

Surecrop Mid Good Very good

Cardinal Mid Very good Very good

Guardian Mid-late Good Good

Allstar Mid-late Very good Very good

June Bearing Varieties

Variety Berry Quality Freezer QualityOgallala Good Very goodOzark Beauty Very good Very good

Everbearing Varieties

Variety Berry Quality Freezer QualityTristar Good GoodTribute Good Fair

Selva Very good Fair

Day-Neutral Varieties

Planting Preparation

P Choose sunny, well-drained site and mix in organic matter

Planting Preparation

P Choose sunny, well-drained site and mix in organic matterP FertilizationFertilize according to soil testOr apply 10 to 12 pounds of a 10-10-10 fertilizer per 1000 square feet and work into soil with organic

matter

Planting Procedures

P String line so planting is straightP Keep roots moist

Planting DepthP Too shallow and roots may dryP Too deep and may smother crown

Spacing Plants

P Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart in rows 3 1/4 to 4 feet apart

Strawberry, Water In After Planting

P Use about 1 cup of water per plant

Keep Planting Watered

Can use trickle irrigation or overhead watering

Remove Blossoms the First Year

P Plant has a limited amount of energyP Energy needs to go into runners rather than fruit

Runner Spacing

P Runner spacing. Space plants 4 to 6 inches apart. Extra runners should be removed, if possible. Keep bed width to 12 to 18 inchesPI usually thin runners in August

Fall Care

Strawberries set fruit buds as the days shorten in September and October.

P Fertilize in late August to early September. Apply about 3/4 to 1 pound of a 12-12-12 fertilizer per 25 feet of row.P Keep planting watered and weeded.P Fall care determines the size of next year’s crop!

Preparing the Crop for Winter

P Make sure the strawberries go into the winter with the soil moist.P Mulch the plants when weather turns cold; normally sometime between Thanksgiving and mid-December.

Mulching

P Not trying to protect the plants from cold as much as from alternate freezing and thawing.

P If you use straw, should require about 1 bale for every 100 feet of row

Second and Succeeding Years CareSpring

P Pull mulch off when new growth reaches 1 to 2 inches (usually in March). Remove just enough mulch that new leaves can poke through.P Don’t fertilize! Too much nitrogen makes the berries soft and prone to rot.P Irrigate as needed. Water deficiencies can lead to small berries.

How to Protect Blooms

P Remember first berries are king berries; the largest berries of the season.P If a frost is forecast, protect blooms by:Covering planting with blanketRunning overhead irrigation all night until ice is melted

Bloom and HarvestManhattan Area

P Bloom usually starts about mid-AprilP Harvest starts the second week of May P Harvest usually lasts about 3 weeksP About 1 quart of berries per plant if well cared for

Renovation

Done immediately after harvest to rejuvenate plants

Renovation

First Step: Mow off leaves

Renovation

First Step: Mow off leaves

Renovation

Second Step: Gather and Discard Leaves

Renovation

Third Step: Fertilize with 1 pound 10-10-10 per 25 feet of row

Renovation

Fourth Step: Narrow row to 10 inches

After Renovation

P Keep planting watered.P Plants should have recovered in about 2 weeks.P Fertilize again in late August to early September.P Mulch for the winter after several hard freezes.P Replace planting when production falls off or every 3 to 4 years.

Deer Damage

Deer Barrier

The End