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Fertilizing strawberries is different from many other edible crops.
Heres what you’re gonna wanna know about fertilizingstrawberries for healthy growthand maximum crop size.
Before You Fertilize
Always plant strawberries in rich, nutrient-dense soil first and foremost.
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Maintainingthe right pHis essential for the fertilization process to benefit your strawberry crop.
To fertilizepotted strawberry plants,use a combination of quality potting mix, compost, and granular fertilizer.
A slow-release NPK 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 is the best choice starting out.
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Plenty of organic alternatives are available includingblood meal, which contains a good percentage of nitrogen.
When to Fertilize June Bearing Strawberries
Fertilize June-bearing strawberries in mid to late summer.
Strawberry seedlings are planted in spring but berries grow from buds formed the previous autumn.
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All flowers are removed and plants are fertilized once in August.
In subsequent years, beds are renovated following harvest.
(Renovating a strawberry bedmeans thinning existing plants and allowing the runners to become new plants.
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If you don’t renovate at least every other year, the roots choke each other out.)
Feed plants in mid to late July, after renovating, to encourage healthy bud production in autumn.
Tip
June-bearing cultivars should not be fertilized in spring.
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Fertilizing this kind of variety in spring results in small, soft berries vulnerable to disease and rotting.
First flowers are removed so add the first feeding in mid-summer.
If flowering is spotty,bonemealsupports root growth and encourages flowering.
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Organic products can be applied every six weeks but should be discontinued at the end of the growing season.
In subsequent years, fertilize day-neutral strawberries in early spring as soon as new leaves appear.
Use a balanced NPK 10-10-10 or 20-20-20.
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Apply a second feeding when fruit starts to develop.
Foliar sprays and compost tea can be added as often as every two weeks to boost fruit production.
If you plan to overwinter your pot for a second season, dont fertilize during winter months.
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How to Fertilize Strawberries
Strawberries are short-lived perennial plants that grow from shallow-rooted crowns.
They mature rapidly andproduce runnersthat terminate in new crowns.
Beds are planted using a matted row or hill method, though strawberries are commonly grown in containers.
The best way to fertilize strawberries depends on the method of planting.
Fertilizing strawberries during their growing season can be tricky, especially when grown in matted rows.
Adding nutrients at the wrong time can result in pH levels unsuited to strawberries.
June-bearing plants are usually grown in matted rows.
It is used more often with day-neutral and everbearing varieties.
Hilled strawberry plants are fertilized to support the continued health of the initial planting.
Water the bed well following tool.
Container Method
Choose day-neutral strawberries to grow in containers.
Strawberries grown in pots need to be fertilized every two weeks.
Use a water-based product and water the pot first.
Compost tea and foliar sprays are good choices.
Water and fertilize at soil level early in the day to allow any wet foliage to dry before nightfall.
Balanced fertilizers with an NPK 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 are best for strawberries.
There are plenty of organic alternatives including blood meal which provides a good percentage of nitrogen.
Avoid fertilizing June-bearing strawberries in spring.
This can lead to overly soft berries and encourage the spread of disease.
Instead, feed them after harvest, usually in mid-summer.
Fertilize day-neutral berries the first year when fruit forms from the second flowering.
Tomato feed can also work well on the plants because the two fruits have similar nutrient needs.
Fertilizer for tomatoes is typically high in potassium and phosphorous and has added magnesium.
These minerals all help strawberries to flower and set fruit.
