Soil Needs for Strawberry

Planting Season

• Strawberries grow through winter after they are established, but do best with warm-weather starts as young plants. The Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service recommends late winter to early spring plantings in any zone, or mid-fall plantings in warmer zones like U.S. Department of Agriculture Growing Zones 8 through 11. Plant strawberry starts on cool, cloudy days to keep them from drying out during the process.

Site and Drainage

• Strawberries require sunshine, warm soil and good drainage to succeed. According to the Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service, the ideal plot for strawberries gets full sun all day. Full sun allows for abundant growth, blooming and fruit ripening. The extension warns that wet, shady locations lead to sparse blooming and fruiting, regardless of soil amendments or fertilizer applications.

Soil Amendments

• Strawberry plants do best in rich, crumbly soil that offers room, drainage and nutrition. Purdue University recommends using amendments to build the soil up for better nutrition and drainage. Till the top 10 inches of soil to even it out, and mix 5 inches of organic compost, rotted straw and manure, or peat moss into the tilled soil. Purdue recommends adding 6-24-24 starter fertilizer at a rate of 2 lbs. per 100 square feet to give the plants additional nutrition. Don't plant strawberries in old tomato, pepper, eggplant or potato soil, as those crops may leave soil-borne diseases behind.

Mulch and Maintenance

• Strawberries need consistently moist, weed-free soil. They won't thrive in dry or crowded plantings. Water them with 2 inches of water once a week, and lay 2 to 3 inches of organic mulch on the soil after planting. Mulch keeps the soil moist and discourages weed growth. Cultivate the soil regularly to eliminate any weeds, as the competition harms strawberry growth. Give strawberries 12-12-12 granular fertilizer in mid-season to encourage blooming and fruiting. Sprinkle the fertilizer alongside the strawberry plants at a rate of 1 lb. per 50 feet of row, then mix it into the top 3 inches of soil and water.