When to plant strawberries
Strawberry plants are hardy perennials. In cold and temperate areas plant bare-root crowns in early spring, about four weeks before the last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. In mild-winter regions (zone 8 and warmer) fall planting is standard and gives a spring crop.
Plant with the crown exactly at soil level: buried crowns rot, and exposed roots dry out. Open flowers are damaged by frost at about 30°F, so cover blooming plants on cold nights.
- Plant bare-root crowns
- 0–4 weeks before last frost
- Fall planting (mild winters)
- 4–8 weeks before first fall frost
- Frost
- Hardy: tolerates frost
- Soil temp
- 40°F (4°C) or warmer
- Depth
- Crown at soil level
- Spacing
- 18 in apart, rows 36 in · 4 per square foot
- Harvest
- Next June (June-bearing); 3 months (day-neutral)
Your dates for strawberries
Tips for growing strawberries
- Pinch off flowers of June-bearers in their first year so plants build roots and runners for a big crop next year.
- Day-neutral varieties fruit the same summer they are planted.
- Mulch with straw to keep berries clean and to protect crowns in winter.
- Replace plants every three to four years as yields fall.
Choosing neighbours? See companion plants for strawberries. Working out how many fit? Use the spacing calculator.
Strawberries: common timing questions
Can strawberries survive frost?
Plants are hardy, but open flowers are killed around 30°F and show a black centre. Cover plants with row cover or a sheet on frosty nights during bloom.
When do strawberries fruit after planting?
June-bearers fruit the following year; day-neutral and everbearing types fruit the first summer.