How to Grow Strawberries

Enjoy sweet, juicy strawberries from your own garden.

Here are the top tips for growing strawberries. For more detailed information, keep reading below.

Planting Time: Plant in the spring in cold-winter regions, or in the fall and early winter in warmer climates.
Location: Choose a spot with 6-8 hours of full sun, providing afternoon shade in hot regions to prevent scorching.
Soil: Improve soil nutrition and drainage by adding Miracle-Gro Organic™ Raised Bed & Garden Soil to in-ground and raised beds, or use Miracle-Gro Organic™ Outdoor Potting Mix for outdoor containers.
Planting Depth: When planting, be sure the central growing bud (the crown) stays above the soil line.
Watering: Water at the base of the plant or with a soaker hose to keep leaves and fruit dry.
Feeding & Harvesting: Feed with Miracle-Gro Organic™ All Purpose Plant Food one month after planting, and harvest berries when they are glossy and ruby-red.

Look no further than your deck or backyard to find a spot for growing strawberries. These versatile fruits grow happily in containers or raised beds, and are easy to grow. There are two main types of strawberries. June-bearing varieties produce berries all at once, usually over a three-week period. Ever-bearing varieties typically bear heavy crops in late spring and again in late summer or early fall, with lighter crops in between. Here's how to get started with strawberries in your garden.

When and Where to Plant Strawberries

When planting strawberries, choose a spot with 6 to 8 hours of sunlight every day. In warm regions, try to provide morning sun with some shade protection during the hottest part of the day. Most strawberry plants are perennial in zones 4 to 9, so make sure they're in a spot where they can grow for many years. The soil should have excellent drainage.

In-ground garden beds: Mix 3 inches of Miracle-Gro Organic™ Raised Bed & Garden Soil into the top 6 inches of native soil.
Raised beds: Strawberries' low-growing habit makes them perfect for raised beds. Use Miracle-Gro Organic™ Raised Bed & Garden Soil to fill them.
Outdoor Containers: Use a pot or hanging basket that's at least 10 inches across, and fill it with Miracle-Gro Organic™ Outdoor Potting Mix. A traditional strawberry jar with pockets also works well.

How to Plant Strawberries

The best time of year for planting strawberries depends on where you live. Spring is ideal in cold-winter regions, while in warmer regions, strawberries should be planted in fall or early winter.

The best, and easiest, way to grow strawberries is to plant strong young plants like those from Bonnie Plants. Whether you're planting in-ground, raised beds, or containers, cover the roots with soil, but don't plant too deeply. The central growing bud must stay above the soil so sunlight can reach it and cause it to sprout. Be sure to water well after planting.

How to Care for Strawberries

A little bit of care will lead to a bounty of sweet berries. Here's what you need to know:

Watering: When growing strawberries, keep plants well-watered. Check soil weekly, and when the top inch is dry, it's time to water. Drip irrigation works well because it keeps leaves and fruit dry, which helps reduce disease outbreaks.
Feeding: Beginning a month after planting, apply Miracle-Gro Organic™ All Purpose Plant Food to replenish the soil with rich organic nutrition. Be sure to follow label instructions.
Controlling Runners: Many strawberry varieties send out runners, which are stems that produce baby plants. For top berry yields, it's best to let only three runners remain per plant and clip off the rest.
Mulching: You can add straw, chopped leaves, or Miracle-Gro Organic™ All Natural Mulch around your strawberry plants during the growing season to help keep weeds down, retain moisture, and keep berries clean. In colder regions, cover plants with a layer of straw mulch in winter to protect the newly formed buds.

When to Harvest Strawberry Bushes

Pick strawberries in the morning, while fruits are cool. Harvest fruit that's fully colored and glossy, leaving part of the stem and the cap attached to the berry. Refrigerate berries immediately after picking without rinsing or removing the caps.

How to Use Strawberries in Your Kitchen

In the kitchen, eat strawberries fresh, or preserve them frozen, dried, or in jam. You can't go wrong with fresh-cut strawberries and whipped cream for a classic strawberry shortcake. Dried strawberries make a great addition to granola, oatmeal, cookies and trail mix. For an elegant dessert, try using your harvest to make a stunning Strawberry Mascarpone Trifle.

There’s nothing quite like the taste of a sun-warmed strawberry picked fresh from your own garden. Enjoy the growing process and the sweet rewards of your harvest!