- 1). Choose a location to plant your strawberries that will get full sun at least six hours every day, with afternoon shade. According to the Cornell University Department of Horticulture, the planting area should be well-drained sandy soil high in organic matter, such as compost.
- 2). Loosen the soil with a tiller to a depth of 6 inches. Remove all weeds and other debris.
- 3). Test the pH of your soil using a soil test kit. Take a sample of the soil a few inches below the surface and place it in the testing tube. Mix the soil with bottled or distilled water by shaking the tube gently for a few seconds. Allow the suspension to settle. Dip a test strip into the water and compare the color to the test kit chart. The soil pH for strawberries should be around 6.5.
- 4). Add 1/10 of a pound of elemental sulfur for every 10 square feet to lower the pH by .5. Add 3/10 of a pound to lower the pH by 1.5. According to the Cornell University Department of Horticulture, it takes a full year for soil additions to change the pH, so plan a year in advance.
- 5). Add 3 lbs. of limestone for every 100 square feet to raise the pH of sandy soils by .5. Add 6 pounds for loamy soils. Use 8 lbs. to raise the pH 1.5 for sandy soils, and 15 lbs. for loamy soils.
- 6). Dig a hole the same size as the nursery pot that the strawberry plant is in. Remove the plant from the pot by turning it upside down and grasping gently at the base of the plant. Soak the roots in a tray of water for 15 to 20 minutes before planting to hydrate the plants. Pull each strawberry plant from its pot and place it in a hole.
- 7). Refill the hole with native soil and gently push the soil around the base of the roots without packing the soil. Space the strawberry plants 12 to 18 inches apart to allow them to spread.
- 8). Soak with 2 to 3 inches of water after planting. Water every other day during the summer to keep the ground moist.
- 9). Apply 1-1/2 lbs. of 10-10-10 fertilizer for every 100 square feet of soil a month after planting.
- 10
Place 3 to 4 inches of mulch at the base of each plant to hold in moisture and prevent weeds. Cover the dormant beds in the fall with another 2 inches of mulch to protect them in the winter. - 11
Harvest your berries when they are firm and bright red.
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