Strawberry planning - Ask Extension
Good morning,
I’m working on the plans for a new strawberry bed for this coming year and I have a few questions - I’m hoping you might be able ...
Knowledgebase
Strawberry planning #890461
Asked December 03, 2024, 10:41 AM EST
Good morning,
I’m working on the plans for a new strawberry bed for this coming year and I have a few questions - I’m hoping you might be able to help me. Overall, I’d like to see berries this year from the bed. My plan includes creating raised rows in direct sun and I’d like to use a combination of June and ever-bearing berries. I’m thinking of making rows that are 30 inches wide and space the plants at 12 inches. So, a few questions:
1. What are your suggestions on the types of berries - I’m in southern MN - both June and overbearing. I do plan to make Jam with them.
2. What is the best way to deal with weeds with little maintanence?
3. What do I need to do to see berries in the same year I plant them?
4. What is the best soil make-up for the berries?
Thank you for your help and reply. Happy holidays.
Best,
Mark Benscoter
PS - I’m looking into the master gardener classes - if you have any info on that please forward.
Olmsted County Minnesota
Expert Response
1. Strawberry varieties suitable for growing in Minnesota are listed and evaluated here:
https://extension.umn.edu/strawberry-farming/strawberry-varieties-and-purchasing-plants
2. Be sure the planting area is weed free. After planting spread and maintain mulch around the plants and between the rows. Straw is often used for this purpose.
https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/faq/how-do-i-control-weeds-my-strawberry-patch
3. Day neutral and ever-bearing varieties produce fruit in the first growing season. Consider planting all three kinds, June-bearing, ever-bearing and day neutral, and compare the results.
4. For best soil for strawberries see the "Selecting a Planting Site" and "Preparing the Soil" sections in the following publication. Soil should be moisture retentive but well drained.
https://extension.unh.edu/resource/growing-fruit-strawberries-fact-sheet
Learn more here:
https://extension.umn.edu/fruit/growing-strawberries-home-garden
Becoming a master gardener:
https://extension.umn.edu/master-gardener/become-master-gardener
https://extension.umn.edu/strawberry-farming/strawberry-varieties-and-purchasing-plants
2. Be sure the planting area is weed free. After planting spread and maintain mulch around the plants and between the rows. Straw is often used for this purpose.
https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/faq/how-do-i-control-weeds-my-strawberry-patch
3. Day neutral and ever-bearing varieties produce fruit in the first growing season. Consider planting all three kinds, June-bearing, ever-bearing and day neutral, and compare the results.
4. For best soil for strawberries see the "Selecting a Planting Site" and "Preparing the Soil" sections in the following publication. Soil should be moisture retentive but well drained.
https://extension.unh.edu/resource/growing-fruit-strawberries-fact-sheet
Learn more here:
https://extension.umn.edu/fruit/growing-strawberries-home-garden
Becoming a master gardener:
https://extension.umn.edu/master-gardener/become-master-gardener
Good morning,
Thank you for your reply and the information - very helpful.
I do have a follow up question on the topic of weeds. I’d like to stay away from mulch or an organic matter as it will require more maintenance and weeding. I was thinking about using plastic and to raise the planting row up about 12 inches. Then to puncture the plastic at the location of each plant. If I use this approach, do I need to use a day neutral berry or can I use any berry with this planting technique?
I appreciate you taking the time other than answer my question.
Best,
Mark
On Dec 3, 2024, at 2:03 PM, Ask Extension wrote:
Plastic mulch is suitable for day neutral or ever-bearing varieties grown as annuals. Generally speaking, plastic mulch isn't used to grow June-bearing varieties in fields because runners must root to allow perennial cropping.
Straw is practical mulch for June-bearing strawberries because it can be used to provide winter cover as well as weed control between rows.
Learn more here:
https://lancaster.unl.edu/renovation-strawberry-plantings
The University of Minnesota is testing various strawberry weed control methods. What follows may be of interest if you haven't seen it.
https://fruit.umn.edu/living-mulch-strawberries-what-we-learned
Straw is practical mulch for June-bearing strawberries because it can be used to provide winter cover as well as weed control between rows.
Learn more here:
https://lancaster.unl.edu/renovation-strawberry-plantings
The University of Minnesota is testing various strawberry weed control methods. What follows may be of interest if you haven't seen it.
https://fruit.umn.edu/living-mulch-strawberries-what-we-learned
