Plant strawberry crowns at soil level in early spring, spacing June-bearing plants 18–24 inches apart in full sun.
Getting the depth right is the whole game when you’re learning how to plant strawberry plants. Bury the crown and it rots; leave the roots exposed and they dry out. Set the crown exactly at soil level, plant early in spring, and your main job is patience — blossom removal, not fussing.
When to Plant Strawberries in Your Region
Plant as early in spring as the soil can be worked. That means March or early April in Maryland, late March to early May in Iowa, March or April in Illinois, and April to early May in Pennsylvania. Strawberries planted after June 1 rarely establish well, so early planting matters more than waiting for warm soil.
Bare-root plants should go in the ground soon after they arrive. If you can’t plant right away, keep them cool and moist for a short time — but don’t let them sit for days. Delayed planting is one of the most common reasons new strawberry plants struggle or die.
Choosing the Right Spot and Preparing the Soil
Strawberries need full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily — and soil that drains well. Soggy ground is a silent killer for strawberry roots and waters down the flavor of the berries. Aim for a soil pH between 5.8 and 6.8; a simple soil test will tell you where you stand.
Work the bed before planting, removing weeds and loosening the soil. Good drainage matters more than almost anything else; if your site holds water after rain, consider a raised bed.
Planting Depth, Spacing, and First-Season Care
Set each plant so the crown — the thick part where roots meet leaves — sits at soil level or slightly above. The crown must not be buried, and the roots must not be left exposed. Spread the roots outward rather than bending them into a tight ball; trim long roots to 4 to 6 inches from the crown before setting the plant.
Spacing depends on the strawberry type:
| Strawberry Type | Plant Spacing | Row Spacing |
|---|---|---|
| June-bearing | 18–24 inches | 36–48 inches |
| Everbearing / day-neutral | About 1 foot | About 1 foot (multi-row beds) |
| Raised beds / plastic mulch | 8–14 inches | Varies by bed width |
Water immediately after planting. A starter fertilizer solution is optional but helpful. Avoid overwatering — excess moisture dilutes berry flavor and encourages rot.
During the first season, pinch off blossoms on June-bearing plants so the energy goes into root and crown development instead of fruit. Remove early runners and flower buds too, especially if establishment is your priority.
Why Strawberry Plants Fail After Planting
The usual culprits are easy to spot once you know them. Planting too deep rots the crown. Planting too shallow dries out the roots. Waiting too long after buying bare-root plants weakens them before they ever go in the ground. Leaving runners on young plants diverts energy when the plant should be building its root system. And overwatering or poor drainage finishes off many otherwise healthy plants.
After the ground freezes in fall, apply a straw mulch over the crowns to protect them through winter. Remove it in early spring as new growth begins.
FAQs
Can you plant strawberries in the fall?
Fall planting is possible in mild climates, but spring planting is far more reliable for most of the United States. The extension guidance is clear: plant early in spring as soon as the soil is workable, and avoid planting after June 1. Fall-planted strawberries often lack time to establish roots before winter.
How deep do bare-root strawberry crowns go?
The crown sits at soil level or slightly above. If the crown is buried, it rots; if the roots are exposed, they dry out. Trim roots to 4–6 inches, spread them outward in the hole, and backfill so the crown is exactly at the soil line.
Do you remove flowers the first year?
Yes, on June-bearing varieties. Pinch off blossoms during the first season so the plant channels energy into roots and crowns instead of fruit. This means no berries the first year, but a much stronger, more productive plant by year two.
References & Sources
- University of Maine Extension. “Growing Strawberries.” Covers planting depth, crown placement, and first-season care.