Strawberries are one of the easiest fruits to grow, and using a raised bed is a great way to maximize space while addressing common challenges such as ensuring good drainage and promoting healthy plant growth. With the right approach, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of fresh, delicious berries for years to come. 

In this blog, you'll discover the best strawberry varieties to grow and why they are ideal, along with a guide on planting from seeds, transplanting, and other growing methods. We'll also cover essential growing conditions, pruning, trimming, and harvesting techniques to help you cultivate an abundance of fresh strawberries successfully.

 

1. Choosing the Right Variety

Strawberries come in three main types, each with distinct harvest patterns. June-bearing strawberries produce a large, concentrated harvest in early summer, making them a great option for preserving or enjoying fresh in bulk. Popular varieties include ‘Chandler,’ ‘Honeoye,’ and ‘Allstar.’ Everbearing strawberries yield two to three smaller harvests throughout late spring, summer, and early fall, and well-known everbearing varieties include ‘Ozark Beauty’ and ‘Quinault.’ Day-neutral strawberries continuously produce fruit as long as conditions remain favorable, typically from late spring until the first frost and varieties include ‘Albion,’ ‘Seascape,’ and ‘Mara des Bois.’ Selecting the right type based on climate, space, and desired yield ensures a productive and long-lasting strawberry harvest.

2. Ideal Growing Conditions

Sunlight Requirements: Strawberry plants require full sun for at least six to eight hours daily to ensure healthy plant growth and a bountiful harvest. Selecting a location for the strawberry patch in an area that receives adequate sunlight helps maximize fruit production while keeping maintenance low.

Soil Type and Quality: The best soil for growing strawberries should be slightly acidic, with a pH range of 5.5 to 6.5. It must be well-drained yet retain enough moisture to support plant growth. Avoid sandy or clay-heavy soils, as they can lead to drainage issues in raised garden beds.

Watering and Drainage: Drip irrigation is an effective method for maintaining consistent soil moisture while reducing the risk of fungal diseases. Raised garden beds naturally provide good drainage, especially when built using the hügelkultur method, which enhances soil structure and moisture retention, ensuring optimal root health.

Spacing and Protection: Strawberry plants should be spaced 12 to 18 inches apart to allow for proper airflow around the central growing bud, reducing the risk of disease and promoting healthy growth. Unlike climbing plants, strawberries do not require support structures but need ample space to spread laterally, ensuring better fruit production and accessibility for harvesting.

3. Planting Methods

Sowing and seedling: Growing strawberries from seeds requires patience, as germination is slow, and several factors can affect success, especially if transplanting is involved once the seedlings are established. To encourage germination, strawberry seeds need a period of cold treatment, known as stratification, which breaks their dormancy; for this process, place the seeds in a sealed bag with damp peat moss or sand and refrigerate them for 3-4 weeks before sowing, mimicking the winter conditions that help the seeds germinate.

After stratification, sow the seeds on the surface of a well-draining seed-starting mix, making sure not to cover them with soil, as they need light to germinate. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, maintaining a temperature range of 65-75°F (18-24°C), and provide plenty of light; if natural light is limited, it’s best to place the seed trays under grow lights for 12-16 hours a day to encourage strong and healthy growth. Germination can take anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks, so be patient and keep an eye out for the first signs of sprouts.

Transplanting: Once your strawberry seedlings are large enough to handle and the risk of frost has passed, it’s time to transplant them into raised garden beds. Begin by hardening off the seedlings, gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over the course of a week to help them acclimate. Next, prepare your raised bed by loosening the soil and incorporating organic matter to improve fertility and drainage. Space the seedlings 12-18 inches apart, ensuring that the crown (where the leaves meet the roots) is level with the soil surface. After transplanting, water thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots, and maintain consistent moisture while ensuring the soil remains well-drained.

Growing and Developing to Fruition: Strawberry plants focus on root development in their first year, with some small fruit production in the second year. Depending on the variety, expect fruit in early summer (for June-bearers) or throughout the growing season (for everbearing and day-neutral types).

4. Pruning, Trimming, and Harvesting

Trimming: In early spring, before new growth begins, trim away any dead or damaged leaves from the previous season to help prevent disease and ensure the plant focuses its energy on healthy new growth. Throughout the growing season, especially after fruiting, it’s important to trim the runners or stolons the plant sends out, as well as pinch off any spent flowers, as these can divert energy from fruit production. Regular trimming helps concentrate the plant's efforts on producing more fruit while encouraging stronger fruit development.

Pruning: After the first harvest or at the end of the growing season, typically in late fall, prune back older leaves that are no longer productive to improve air circulation, reduce the risk of mold and mildew, and direct the plant’s energy into fresh, new growth. For June-bearing varieties, perform renovation pruning in late summer, around mid-July, by cutting the plants back to about 1-2 inches above the soil after the fruiting season. This encourages the development of new leaves and runners for the following season.

Harvesting: Harvesting begins in early summer and continues through late summer for some strawberry varieties and should be picked every few days.

5. Common Issues and Maintenance

Pests (Aphids, Slugs, and Spider Mites): Strawberries are prone to pests like aphids, slugs, and spider mites. Aphids and spider mites weaken the plant by sucking its juices, while slugs damage the fruit by eating holes in it. These pests are attracted to the sweet scent and tender leaves of strawberries, and if left unchecked, they can reduce the yield or even kill the plant.

Diseases (Powdery Mildew, Gray Mold, and Verticillium Wilt): Fungal diseases like powdery mildew, gray mold, and verticillium wilt are common in strawberries. Powdery mildew appears as white, powdery spots on leaves, while gray mold affects both fruit and leaves, turning them brown. Verticillium wilt attacks the plant's vascular system, causing wilting and yellowing. These diseases thrive in humid conditions and can quickly spread if not managed.

Poor Soil Drainage: Poor drainage can stunt strawberry growth and lead to root rot. Strawberries prefer well-draining soil, and without it, their roots may suffocate and rot, causing the plant to die while compacted or heavy soils trap water around the roots, increasing the risk of fungal diseases.

Insufficient Pollination: Without proper pollination, strawberries may produce little or no fruit. It's important to have a strong source of pollinating flowers nearby so bees and other pollinators can visit frequently, helping your flowers set fruit and become sweeter. Bad weather, pesticides, or a lack of surrounding flowers can reduce pollinator activity, leading to poor fruit set and misshapen berries.

Inadequate Sunlight: Strawberries need 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive. Without enough sun, the plants can become weak and leggy, and fruit production will suffer. This issue can worsen if the soil is left too moist and doesn't drain properly, leading to compacted soil that further limits the plant's ability to grow and produce healthy fruit.

Final Thoughts

Take your time to make thoughtful decisions, such as choosing the best location for your raised bed, selecting the right variety for your climate, and determining how many plants you’ll need. Once you’ve settled on these details, you can get to work. There are many strawberry varieties that will thrive in your region, and once your plants are established, the possibilities open up for delicious desserts, baked goods, jams, scents, and so much more—the options are endless!