Set plants 25 cm apart in the row and keep all runners removed. The “hill” system is useful for poor-runnering cultivars such as many of the everbearers. Allow runners to develop and produce new plants to fill out the rows. Set plants about 45–60 cm apart in rows that are 90–120 cm apart. Strawberries are usually grown in the “matted-row” system. The roots may look dry, but it is usually best not to water them during storage, to avoid rotting. If plants must be stored for short periods, keep closed packages in the refrigerator until planting time. Plants are usually sold in plastic bags without soil. Get plants as close to planting time as possible. A list of strawberry plant propagators in Ontario is available on the ONfruit blog. These plants have been produced under guidelines designed to control viruses and other serious pests. Obtain plants from the Ontario Strawberry Plant Propagation Program. Use healthy plants that have well-developed crowns and many creamy or white roots. Commercial plants are generally not available in the fall. Early-formed runner plants produce more berries than plants formed in late summer and fall. This allows plants to become established early and start producing runners. Plant in the spring as soon as the ground can be prepared. Most soils in Ontario do not need a lime application. In the spring, apply a complete fertilizer, such as 10-20-20, at 50–75 g/m 2. Scatter it evenly and work it into the soil several days ahead of planting. If material other than manure is used, add ammonium nitrate at 10–15 g/m 2 to help decomposition. Dig, rototill or plow it into the soil so the material will be well decomposed by planting time. Leaves, chopped hay or straw, peat moss, sawdust, grass clippings and more can also be used. Manure applied at 8–12 L/m 2 is a good source of organic matter. ![]() Organic matter improves air and water movement, favours growth of helpful soil organisms, provides nutrients and increases the water-holding capacity of the soil. Organic matterĪ good supply of organic matter in the soil is important. In the year prior to planting, destroy quack grass and other perennial weeds. This precaution will help avoid serious root diseases such as verticillium wilt and black root rot. ![]() Wherever possible, plant strawberries in soil that has not grown strawberries, raspberries, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers or eggplants in the past 4 or 5 years. Good drainage is very important as strawberry roots do not grow well in wet soil. Planting on ridges also helps if soils drain poorly. Clay soils drain poorly and are hard to manage but can be improved by adding organic matter. Gravelly soils can be improved by adding organic matter, but extra water and fertilizer are needed for good yields. However, they grow best in well-drained, sandy loam soils that are well supplied with organic matter. Strawberries can be grown in most garden soils. However, during the summer they also form flowers that produce berries in late summer and fall. ![]() They too form flower buds in the fall, which develop into berries the next summer. “Everbearing” and “day-neutral” cultivars are less sensitive to temperature and day length than ordinary cultivars. ![]() Toward the end of the harvest period, when days are long and warm, plants again grow runners that produce new plants. Berries start to ripen 4–5 weeks after the first flowers open and continue to ripen for about 3 weeks. The flower clusters, already within the crown, emerge over a 3-week period in late May and early June. In the spring, when plants start growth, days are too long for any new flowers to form. Then, in the short, cool days of fall, runnering stops and flower buds form within the plant crown. In new plants, runner production occurs during the long days and warm temperatures of summer. Growth in common cultivars is affected greatly by temperature and the length of the daylight period. Strawberries are the first fruit to ripen in Ontario. With proper care, enough berries for a family can be obtained from a relatively small area (Figure 1). Berries are delicious when served fresh and can be frozen, canned or made into jam, jelly or juice. In a sunny location, they are the first fruit to ripen and, from among the many cultivars, can be picked throughout the summer until frost. Strawberries can be grown anywhere in Ontario. This fact sheet discusses planting, care and selection of cultivars of strawberries for the home garden. Growing strawberries can be interesting and rewarding for the home gardener, whether they are for eating or for ornament.
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