How to Root Strawberry Plants

Strawberries, or Fragaria ananassa, are a hybrid of two naturally occurring species. This plant has a high resistance to pests and disease and produces a large amount of fruit. Strawberries are generally hardy and easy to plant in a home garden.

Things You'll Need:

• Spade


• Fertilizer spreader


• 6-24-24 fertilizer

1. Select a planting site for strawberries in sandy soil or loam with good drainage and full sun. The best time to plant strawberries is early in the spring, as soon as you can work the soil. This is typically late March to early April.


2. Loosen the soil to a depth of at least 6 inches with a garden spade.


3. Fill a spreader with 1 pound of 6-24-24 fertilizer for every 50 square feet of planting area. Spread the fertilizer over the planting area and mix it into the loose soil.


4. Place the strawberry plants in the ground so that the soil barely covers the roots. Space the plants at least 1.5 feet apart in rows at least 3 feet apart if they produce fruit once per growing season. Space strawberry plants at least 1 foot apart in rows at least 2 feet apart if they produce fruit more than once per season.


5. Water the strawberry plants thoroughly and add more soil if necessary to level the soil. Keep the soil moist, but not wet, throughout the growing season. The plants should take root and begin growing vigorously within a few weeks.