Cultural Directions For Garden Strawberries

Strawberries are successfully grown in every state but do best in well-drained loam soil with a ph of 6.0-6.5. The soil structure should be loose and hardpans should be broken up with deep chisel plowing or tilling.
Strawberries must be planted in a weed free site. Cover cropping will go a long way in crowding out germinating annual weeds. If no cover crop is planted, the site should be cultivated frequently to kill weeds, or roundup should be used at 2 quarts per acre. It should be used on actively growing weeds, and when used on quackgrass around 6" tall, it gives good control.

There are very few herbicides available for the planting year. Dacthal is the only material labeled "eat planting". It is a preemergent herbicide used for germinating annual weed control. Small growers and gardeners are encouraged to keep rows clean by hoeing and hand weeding.

Strawberries should be planted as early as possible in spring frosts will not hurt newly planted berries. Plants should be set in rows 38"-48" apart and 12"-18" between plants for the matted row system. Plant the plants at the same depth that they were at in the nursery, covering all roots but being careful not to cover the crown. Strawberries will need irrigation for frost protection, plant growth and for cooling the fruit in hot conditions. A water soluble fertilizer is all that should be applied for the first three weeks after planting to keep from burning newly emerging roots. After this time, fertilize as you would any garden crop.

During the first season, it is advisable to remove fruit blossoms as they appear, to help encourage plant and runner growth. For best results, set runners away from mother plants equally spaced from other runners. In colder climates, a mulch of straw or leaves can be placed directly upon rows of plants to prevent winter injury to the strawberry crowns. Remove in spring prior to dormancy break.

Strawberry Plants Required Per Acre

Rows Distance in Row Plants Per Acre

3 ft. apart 12 in. 14,525
3 1û2 ft. apart 18 in. 8,325
3 1û2 ft. apart 24 in. 6,225
3 1û2 ft. apart 30 in. 5,000
4 ft. apart 18 in. 7,300
4 ft. apart 24 in. 5,425
4 ft. apart 30 in. 4,375

For the small garden, order 7 plants for each 10 feet of row.Commercial Weed Control Options In addition to applying Dacthal after planting, commercial growers have several additional options for weed control. We cultivate when weeds are very small and can eliminate most weeds except what grows between the plants. Many growers will use a wiggle hoe to mechanically remove weeds between plants. Poast is a post emergent grass herbicide that has to go on when grass weeds fit into a control window (see label). Poast must be used on actively growing grasses. Higher rates of Poast will suppress quackgrass. No more than 2 1/2 pints per acre of Poast can be used per year.

Sinbar is a very hot herbicide that should only be used on soils with 2% or more organic matter. At 2 to 5 oz. per acre, Sinbar can be used on dormant plants that have been growing for 6 months or more. It is a preemergent herbicide and kills germinating weeds. If it gets on strawberry leaves it should be washed off immediately with irrigation. Devrinol is another preemergent herbicide, but it can’t be used until adequate runners have established (in the fall). If nutsedge is a problem, Devrinol is the better choice. Usually 5 to 8lbs. per acre is the recommended rate. In recent years several new chemical options for weed control are allowed in certain areas. It is best to consult your county extension agents for other weed control options in your area and for your soil types.