When to Plant June Bearing Strawberries: Optimal Timing for a Bountiful Harvest (2024)

FAQs

When to Plant June Bearing Strawberries: Optimal Timing for a Bountiful Harvest? ›

Planting after June 1 is not recommended. Plant June-bearing strawberries 18 to 24 inches apart in rows at least 36 inches apart with the soil line above the roots but not covering the growing point of the crown. Day-neutral strawberries should be planted closer together, about 5 to 9 inches apart.

Plant dormant, bareroot strawberries as soon as your soil can be worked in the spring, usually about six weeks before your last frost date. Gardeners in USDA zones higher than 6 often can set out the plants in late autumn instead.

Plant strawberries in spring or fall based on your growing zone. In-ground gardens, raised beds, and containers are all excellent growing areas. Give strawberries room for runners by planting them 18 inches apart.

Day-neutral varieties can bear fruit three months after planting in optimal conditions, and June-bearing will fruit the next spring. Berries typically ripen 28 to 30 days after flowering. Harvest red, fully ripe berries after plants have dried in the morning. Berries should be picked about every three days.

Strawberries are the first locally-produced fruit of the year to ripen. Harvest frequently begins as early as the first week in June and extends for 4 to 5 weeks into early July, depending upon variety selected, your location, and the system selected for winter protection.

PLANTING: Space plants 12-18" apart in rows 3-4' apart. Set plants with the roots straight down into the soil, making sure the middle of the crown is level with the top of the soil. Irrigate and keep free of weeds.

These runners should be placed back within the 2-foot row or removed to prevent the planting from becoming a solid mat of plants. Well-maintained strawberry plantings that are renovated annually may remain productive for four or five years. Poorly managed beds may be productive for only two or three years.

Bad Neighbors for Strawberries

Common vegetable crops — including tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, eggplants, melons and plants in the rose family — can introduce the fungi responsible for Verticillium wilt. Potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant and red clover can harbor species of nematodes that can feed on strawberries.

Supporting pollinators, protecting from frost/freeze, managing nutrients, managing diseases and insect pests, irrigating, and managing weeds all help increase fruit size and marketable yield.

When it comes to soil, they prefer well-draining, slightly acidic soil. Amend the soil with compost for added nutrients and ensure good drainage to prevent waterlogged roots. Raised beds are ideal for growing strawberries; they promote fluffy, well-drained soil and help prevent invasion from weeds and grass.

Do strawberries bear fruit the first year you plant them? ›

Strawberries can produce fruit in the first year (though not at their fullest potential). That being said, to create a long standing and reliable perennial crop you may have to sacrifice some of that first season's harvest. Right after planting, pinch off any flower buds that appear in the first few weeks.

June-bearing cultivars typically produce fruits during the second year of planting while everbearing and day-neutral cultivars produce fruits during the first year of planting.

Yes! We often receive queries from customers asking whether or not it is okay to harvest strawberries from first year plants, but you absolutely can. If you planted earlier in the year, you may already have a few to harvest and it is absolutely fine to do so.

After planting, pinch off any flower buds that appear for the first few weeks. This allows the plant to produce leaves and roots so when the flowers are pollinated and begin to produce fruit there is enough energy in the plant to develop large, juicy strawberries.

Strawberries only need about 4-6 inches of soil for their roots so shallow containers will work. Whatever size or shape container you use, make sure they have adequate drainage holes in the bottom. Water your strawberry plants whenever the soil is dry to ½ inch depth.

Depending on how soon you want to start eating strawberries, choose between “everbearers” and “junebearers.” Everbearers offer the quickest crops, less than three months after planting, and bear all season long. Tristar is among the best of these types. Some of the older types bear in spring and fall only.

Planting after June 1 is not recommended. Plant June-bearing strawberries 18 to 24 inches apart in rows at least 36 inches apart with the soil line above the roots but not covering the growing point of the crown.

Strawberries can produce fruit in the first year (though not at their fullest potential). That being said, to create a long standing and reliable perennial crop you may have to sacrifice some of that first season's harvest. Right after planting, pinch off any flower buds that appear in the first few weeks.

June-bearing strawberries are the most familiar type and produce the largest fruits as well as large yields. Ever-bearing plants produce two smaller crops, one in June and another in early fall. June-bearing varieties also produce larger numbers of runners than ever-bearing varieties.

It is best to plant your bare root strawberries in late winter through early spring, and to select a sunny spot in your garden to start them. When planting, first make a hole slightly larger than the clump of roots. Place the bare root plant in the hole so the crown is in line with the soil level.