Strawberries can also be grown in raised garden beds if you prefer. When preparing a raised bed for strawberries (instead of the garden), the difference is that you only have to till the soil to the depth of the bed.
Don’t worry if the soil still seems a little hard-packed, as you’re going to till it again when you amend it with compost.
Good organic matter for strawberries includes mature compost, aged manure, and peat moss. [3] X Research source To test the pH of your soil, use a soil test kit, which you can purchase at hardware and garden stores.
Pearlite and vermiculite both retain water, so they allow water to drain through the soil while also keeping it moist.
The best fertilizer for strawberries is a balanced one that contains equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, such as a 5-5-5. [6] X Research source You can also buy fertilizers that are specifically formulated for strawberries and other fruiting plants.
Terra cotta planters Special strawberry containers Light colored plastic pots (lighter colors will keep the roots cooler) Wooden vegetable crates
You can use vermiculite instead of pearlite. In place of compost, you can also use aged manure or peat moss.
In warmer climates with mild winters, you can plant the strawberries in the fall and grow them over the winter.
The crown is the area where the roots and stems meet. [13] X Research source
During periods of drought, you’ll have to provide the plants with the entire 1 inch (2. 5 cm) of water. During wet periods when it’s raining daily or several times per week, don’t water the plants at all.