How Do You Start Everbearing Strawberry Plants?
Everbearing strawberry plants, plants that produce more than one crop, produce a crop in early summer, a light crop during the summer and a larger crop in late summer to fall. Everbearers should be planted in early spring or late fall. Everbearers are great for gardens with limited space because they produce few runners. According to the University of Illinois Extension, the hill system is best for growing everbearers because all “runners are removed so only the original plant remains.” The mother plant develops more flowers and crowns in response to removing runners. Select a sunny location with well-drained soil to plant strawberries. Till the top of soil with a rake or rototiller 3 to 4 inches deep. Spread manure or compost and 5-10-10 fertilizer (1 lb. per 50 feet) on top of the soil. Rake or rototill in manure/compost and fertilizer, mixing evenly. Create rows spaced 4 feet apart; elevate soil into hills about 8 inches high by 2 feet wide. Trim roots of plants to 6 inches. Soak ro
