Types of Strawberry Plants

• Strawberries come in two different types: June-bearing and day-neutral. A June-bearing plant is cultivated to produce a full crop the season after planting. A day-neutral or first-year-bearing strawberry plant produces a full crop the first season planted. It is not possible to tell by looking at a plant whether it's day-neutral or June-bearing, so read the information provided by the grower. First-year-bearing strawberry plant varieties include Tristar, Seascape and Monterey.
  
  

Planting

• Plant strawberries in well-drained soil with a high quantity of organic matter. In the early spring, usually in March or April, when the ground is workable, is the best time. If the soil is still very wet, wait until it dries out to plant. According to the University of Illinois Extension service, plant strawberries on a cloudy day or in the late afternoon. Plant first-year-bearing strawberries in a hill system, removing all runners, so that only the "mother" plant remains. This allows the mother plant to produce more crowns and flower stalks. Arrange rows in groups of two, three, or four plants with a walkway of about 2 feet between each row.
  
  

Care

• Strawberries require full sun for at least six hours each day. One inch of water per week is needed during the growing season. Weed plants consistently during their first three weeks of growth, and then mulch thickly with hay, straw, shredded bark or compost to prevent weeds and maintain moisture in the soil. Apply 1 pound per 100 square feet of all-purpose 10-10-10 nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) fertilizer to the soil before planting about 6 inches deep.
  
  

Maintenance

• Apply another application of fertilizer after the first harvest. Always water the fertilizer to help it get to the roots of the plant. Be careful not to overfertilize strawberries, though, as this causes extra foliage growth but reduces overall fruit yields. Renovate strawberry plants after they're finished producing fruit each year. Mow the old foliage down with a lawn mower, leaving about 1 inch of growth above the crowns. Rake up the foliage and if they appear to be free of disease, compost them or mulch the crowns with them. Weed the area and thin plants so that 4 and 6 inches remain between plants. Water as needed, ensuring the crowns still receive about 1 inch of water per week.