We enjoy the mild winter weather and warm spring making strawberry growing easy. Growing and eating fresh strawberries is a Northern California treat.  Bare root Strawberries have just arrived so plant plenty for spring and summer.Bare root strawberries planted now will produce by this summer.

Throughout the year, we carry an assortment of strawberries, but the first to arrive are the bare root Seascape everbearing variety. They produce berries throughout the warm season with the heaviest crop in late spring.

Planting Strawberries

Plant strawberries in soil that has been improved by spreading a 3″ layer of Master Nursery Gold Rush or Bumper Crop and mix it in well.  Form the improved soil into mounded rows about 4-6″ high and 12-18″ wide and 24-30″ center to center. Or plant strawberries in containers using Master’s Pride Potting Soil.

Ideally, you will want to keep the fruit from touching the soil. Traditionally when planting in mounds, a layer of straw was used to hold the berries up out of the dirt, but you can use any mulch, including bark or even landscape weed fabric.  Lay the fabric over the freshly prepared soil anchor it down with soil staples, stones or a bit of dirt, then cut slits into the fabric where each plant goes.

Place each plant a little bit high in the soil, just covering the roots. Planting this way ensures the crown does not rot, and roots do not dry out. Strawberries like even moisture and light fertilizing at planting followed by a heavier feeding after fruiting.

At the time of planting, mix in Master’s Tomato Vegetable Fertilizer. Feed monthly through September.