The arrival of strawberries marks the beginning of a new season, bringing the first taste of fresh, sun-ripened fruit after a long winter. Unlike store-bought strawberries, which are often picked before they fully ripen, homegrown strawberries burst with unmatched flavor and sweetness. Even better, growing your own berries allows you to cultivate them without the use of chemicals, ensuring a healthier and more sustainable harvest.
To grow strawberries successfully, start with well-drained, slightly acidic soil and ensure your plants receive full sun exposure. Space them 8 to 12 inches apart, keeping the crown level with the soil surface. Water consistently, keeping the soil moist but not overly wet, and apply mulch to help retain moisture and suppress weeds. Feeding your plants with compost or organic fertilizer in early spring and again after harvest encourages strong growth and high yields. Since strawberry plants tend to decline in productivity after 3–4 years, replacing them regularly from new runners will help maintain a steady supply of fruit.
Choosing the right variety
Everbearing Strawberries
Everbearing strawberries provide multiple harvests throughout the growing season. Typically, they produce a small crop in early spring, a larger main harvest in mid-summer, and a final smaller crop in the fall. Their ability to fruit over an extended period makes them a great choice for gardeners who enjoy a steady supply of strawberries. With a more compact growth habit, everbearing varieties are also well-suited for container gardening and small spaces.
June-bearing Strawberries
June-bearing strawberries, on the other hand, produce a single, abundant harvest in late spring or early summer, depending on the variety and local climate. While they only fruit once per season, they tend to yield larger berries in greater quantities, making them ideal for gardeners who enjoy harvesting in bulk. June-bearing varieties will not produce fruit in their first year but will be abundant producers in their second and third years.
By choosing the right variety and following simple growing practices, you can enjoy an abundant strawberry harvest season after season. Whether you prefer the extended picking season of everbearing strawberries or the bountiful harvest of June-bearing varieties, there’s nothing quite like the taste of fresh, homegrown strawberries straight from your garden.