Fertilizing Garden Strawberries

Strawberry plants have shallow roots that absorb nutrients quickly from their topsoil environment. To maximize growth and production of berries, it’s a good idea to incorporate a complete general fertilizer high in potash at planting time for maximum root development and productivity.

Gardeners can add compost or aged manure to their strawberry beds as part of an ongoing soil testing regimen and amending process. It is vital that gardeners conduct soil tests prior to adding these amendments.

Spring

Optimal strawberry fruit production depends on fertilizing at the appropriate times – both June bearing and day-neutral varieties needing fertilization at exactly the same times. Furthermore, soil pH management plays an essential role in plant health and nutrients availability – using a soil test kit can help identify what amendments need to be added and when they should be applied.

Strawberry plants should be fertilized early each spring before they begin producing leaves, flowers and fruit. A balanced liquid or granular fertilizer works best. Gardening Know How recommends amending the planting bed with compost or manure before beginning strawberry planting to decrease how much additional fertilizer needs to be applied later.

Alternative strategies include homemade nutrient teas as a quick and efficient means of providing strawberries with essential vitamins and minerals. Just be careful not to overfertilize as too much nitrogen may result in excessive vegetative growth and fewer fruits being harvested. Organic sources of nitrogen such as blood meal (13% nitrogen content) or alfalfa or fish meal are available, although ensure you combine it with slow-release phosphorous and potassium sources in equal proportions for best results.

Once strawberry season begins, applying a balanced liquid or granular fertilizer every three to four weeks should provide all of the nutrition your strawberries require. June bearing strawberries should only be fertilized after they have stopped fruiting; otherwise doing so could result in small, soft berries which are susceptible to disease and rotting.

Unless your strawberry plants are day-neutral varieties, The Spruce recommends fertilizing them mid to late summer with either 10-10-10 fertilizer or an organic solution such as bonemeal (which supports root development and flowering). Once dormant for winter, cover them with thick layers of mulch (straw or leaves) for both weed control and winter protection.

Summer

Strawberry plants in your garden should be fertilized during late summer for maximum fruit production and to revitalize their root systems for next year’s fruit production. For optimal results, The Spruce suggests applying 10-10-10 liquid fertilizer and watering it well around each base plant at this time.

According to This Is My Garden, fertilization of the soil where strawberries are planted is key to producing high-quality fruit crops. To do so, incorporate several buckets of well-rotted compost or organic material (e.g. high potassium fertilizer or blood, fish and bone meal) before planting strawberries.

To help control weeds and grasses in strawberry beds, mulch them as soon as they start forming with straw mulching. This prevents contact between fruit and soil that could harbour disease organisms that lead to rots; while also keeping soil cool and moist – both essential elements in successful strawberry cultivation.

Before adding amendments or fertilizer, it’s essential to conduct a soil test. A soil testing kit or visiting your local extension office can identify which nutrients your soil may be deficient in and how much of each one to add.

For June-bearing cultivars, fertilization should be avoided during spring as this will increase leaf growth at a time when strawberry plants should instead focus on producing healthy buds for harvest in subsequent years. Fertilize them midsummer after all flowers have been removed to promote healthy fruiting cycles and again in early fall when production has stopped so they can store up energy for next season’s fruiting cycle. Organic fertilizers like blood and bone meal make an excellent natural fertilizer option that releases slow releases of nitrogen into the plant’s root zone, while being safer for the environment than chemical products which could runoff into waterways and harm wildlife.

Fall

Strawberry plants require special fertilization in order to produce large fruit yields and keep producing for multiple years, regardless of whether June bearing or day neutral bearing plantings. Appropriate timing and application of type and amount of fertilizer application is vital in order to maximize fruit production; adding organic matter such as well-rotted manure or compost may be helpful to amend soil nutrients, boost structure of the soil and enhance flavor of strawberry fruit production.

If you grow annual day-neutral varieties as annuals, fertilize them from midsummer onwards after pruning away their first flush of flowers, with regular fertilization applications at six-week intervals until September ends. A balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer formulation or similar is best, though organic applications like blood meal, bonemeal or kelp may help boost nitrogen levels as well.

Gardeners who grow June-bearing strawberries as perennials typically renovate (thin) their beds in late summer or early fall in order to thin out overcrowded plants, encourage new plant growth, create stronger root systems more resistant to winter weather conditions, and produce the highest-quality berries next season. After renovating a bed it should also be fertilized early fall so the plants may start saving energy for winter survival.

Liquid fertilizers should be applied using a watering can or hose equipped with a sprayer attachment, applying as close to the ground as possible while avoiding spraying foliage – doing this may damage plant roots by washing away essential nutrients too quickly or burning plants outright. Make sure to follow all instructions on your package regarding dilution rates and application amounts as overfertilizing can damage strawberry plants significantly.

Strawberry plantings should include a layer of organic matter such as well-rotted manure and compost to provide optimal conditions for healthy plant growth and optimal fruit production. It is also essential to control weeds as their presence can drastically decrease strawberry yield per plant; regular hoeing and hand pulling of weeds will help lower their population, and without adequate rainfall gardeners must irrigate strawberry plantings regularly to ensure healthy plant health and optimal fruit yield.

Winter

Strawberry plants are year-round garden staples that require extra care to guarantee an ample harvest. This is especially important since strawberries do not benefit from crop rotation like most annual vegetables and flowers do, meaning correct management of N-P-K fertilizer will maximize fruit production while when and how often they’re fertilized will have an enormous effect on their ability to endure winter conditions.

Fertilizing strawberry plants prior to planting is ideal. Perennial strawberries need plenty of nitrogen in their planting beds in order to produce runners and set fruit, so make sure that you apply a generous layer of compost or balanced slow-release granular fertilizer in each hole to help your roots feed for maximum success.

After planting strawberries, water the soil thoroughly to settle it and encourage root systems to establish themselves in their desired locations. It may also be helpful to apply light applications of slow-release granular fertilizer every few weeks during the growing season to maintain healthy and strong plants that produce fruit without suffering stress due to poor soil conditions, drought or disease. Doing this can prevent production being hindered due to stress caused by poor soil conditions, drought or disease and will ensure maximum production from each fruiting period.

Once berries begin to appear, a small dose of nitrogen fertilizer at 8 ounces (1 cup) per 20-foot row may be applied at 10-10-10 or 12-12-12 rates to promote fruit development and ripening; this fertilizer should not be applied when June bearing cultivars are flowering as too much nitrogen could result in soft berries more susceptible to disease and rot.

Day neutral strawberry plants should be fed once every summer to maximize an abundant and high-quality crop. A balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer like 10-10-10 or 12-12-12 works best as this provides constant supply of essential nutrients needed by strawberries throughout summertime. Organic alternatives with similar basic nutritional needs can include blood meal, bone meal or home-made compost.