My everbearing strawberries are (finally) in the ground! Yea!!!
After a year or so of neglect, they have a brand spanking new raised bed and are looking FABULOUS! My back is mighty sore from shoveling to make the raised bed (and yes, I pretty much did it myself!), but I'm sure it will be worth it when we are rolling in berries (fingers crossed) :-)
How to Plant Everbearing Strawberries
Everbearing strawberries don't like to have wet feet, so it's a good idea to plant them in raised beds. Raised beds allow for better drainage and can result in higher strawberry yields. Raised beds = more strawberries!
To build a raised bed, you make a "hill" of soil about 8 inches high and about 2 feet across and extend it as long as needed. Place 2 rows of strawberry plants per raised bed in a staggered pattern. The length of the hill doesn't matter, but it should be 24 inches wide.
Doesn't my raised strawberry bed (above) look great? I pat myself on the back every time I look at it!
In addition to planting in raised beds, strawberries like slightly acidic soil - the soil pH should be between 5.8 to 6.2. Strawberries should be planted so that the crown (the area that joins the roots and stems) is at soil level. Be sure not to plant them too deep, but also not to shallow. Like Goldilocks, Strawberries need something that is "just right".
Do you plant strawberries? If so, what varieties do you grow?
ps -- If you plant strawberries, you can be sure the birds will come, so be prepared! Immediately after planting your berries, run to the nearest garden center and buy bird netting. Buy lots of netting!!
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