How to Grow Gallons of Strawberries

by BrownThumbMama

1 Material

30 Minutes

Easy

Strawberries are super-easy to grow using these important tips. Here’s everything you need to know to grow gallons of strawberries in your garden.

Strawberry Varieties

There are three main types of strawberries: everbearing (also called day-neutral), June-bearing (also called short-day), and alpine.

Everbearing produce from spring through fall; June-bearing produce a large crop in spring; and alpine strawberries fruit intermittently all summer. If you’re growing strawberries for strawberry freezer jam, you’ll want to plant a June-bearing variety so they all come ripe at once.

Some alpine strawberries are white or cream colored, and have a more tropical flavor than the traditional strawberry. Some kids love this and some think it’s weird, so be prepared!

Growing Strawberries: Sun, Water, Soil

Choose a sunny area for your strawberries, because they need at least 6 hours of sun per day. We planted ours in a corner of the yard near the path to the front door. Every time the kids walk by, they grab a strawberry to munch on.

Strawberry plants need lots of water, but the berries can spoil if they sit on the wet ground. Drip lines or soaker hoses are great, as is watering first thing in the morning. Keep an eye on the soil so the roots don’t get soggy. If you’re growing berries in pots, check daily to make sure the soil hasn’t dried out.

I confess that I laughed when my dad bought me a box of these strawberry support gizmos…but now I’m completely sold. They keep the berries off the ground, make it easier to weed, and they help keep the snails and slugs away. You put the two pieces together around the plant, so you can use them even if you’ve already planted. As you can see, each plant will produce multiple strawberries–so you’re well on your way to growing gallons of strawberries just with a few plants.

Strawberries are pretty hearty and don’t need fancy stuff added to the soil. Before planting, I till the soil and add a little compost. If your soil contains a lot of clay and doesn’t drain well, it will be easier to grow your strawberries in a container.