Expert Tips on Growing and Planting Strawberry Crowns
If you dream of picking sweet, sun-ripened strawberries straight from your garden, planting bare root strawberries is one of the best ways to get started. Whether you’re a beginner gardener or a seasoned grower, learning how to plant strawberry crowns properly ensures healthy plants and a delicious harvest for seasons to come.
Bare root strawberries are shipped dormant and ready to grow once the soil warms up. With the right preparation, timing, and care, you can establish thriving strawberry patches that reward you with juicy berries year after year.
What Are Bare Root Strawberry Crowns?
Bare root strawberry crowns are dormant bare root plants shipped without soil. Each plant has a central crown with long roots attached, ready to wake up and grow once planted. When bare root strawberries arrive, it’s best to plant them right away or store them in a cool, dark place until planting time.
When you plant strawberry bare root, position the crown at the soil line—never buried too deep or sticking above the surface. Spread the roots evenly in the planting hole to encourage strong growth and prevent rot. For best results, choose a sunny spot with rich, well-draining soil, such as a raised strawberry bed or matted row system.
Why Plant Bare Root Strawberries?
Choosing to plant strawberry bare root offers several advantages over potted plants. Bare root plants are typically more affordable, establish faster, and develop stronger root systems. Because they’re planted dormant, they adapt quickly to your soil and climate once growth begins in early spring.
Bare root strawberries also allow you to purchase in bulk—often in bundles of 25 plants—making them ideal for expanding your garden or starting new strawberry patches. You can explore a variety of strawberry plants, from June-bearing varieties to everbearing and day neutral strawberry types, depending on your harvest goals.
When Is the Best Time to Plant?
The best time to plant bare root strawberries depends on your region. In most areas, early spring—after the last frost and when the soil can be worked—is ideal. For mild climates like Northern California, check out this guide on fall planting strawberries for extended growing opportunities.
If you’re unsure of the best timing for your area, your local nursery can provide region-specific advice and variety recommendations.
How to Plant Strawberry Crowns Step-by-Step
Learning how to plant strawberry crowns correctly is essential for success. Follow these easy steps to get your root strawberry plants off to a strong start.
Step 1: Prepare the Site
Select a location in full sun with well-drained, loamy soil. Strawberries thrive in soil with a pH of 5.5–7.0. Before planting bare root, clear weeds and loosen the soil at least 12 inches deep. Mix in organic compost or an amendment recommended in our soil and fertilization for strawberries guide for best results.
Step 2: Soak and Trim the Roots
Before planting your strawberries, soak the roots in water for about 30 minutes to rehydrate them. If the roots are excessively long, trim them slightly so they fit comfortably in the planting hole without crowding.
Step 3: Plant at the Correct Depth
Dig a wide planting hole deep enough to spread out the roots. Place the plant so that the crown sits exactly at soil level—too deep can cause rot, and too shallow can dry out the roots. Cover the roots with soil and gently press down to remove air pockets.
For June bearing varieties, plant 12–18 inches apart in rows spaced about 3–4 feet apart. For day neutral strawberry and everbearing types, plant 8–12 inches apart in narrower beds for continuous production.
Step 4: Water and Mulch
Water the newly planted crowns thoroughly. Use soaker hoses for sale or drip irrigation to deliver water directly to the roots while keeping foliage dry, reducing the risk of fungal diseases. Apply straw or mulch around plants to help conserve moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds.
Choosing the Right Strawberry Variety
Your choice of variety depends on your growing goals and climate. Explore June-bearing strawberries for large, flavorful harvests concentrated in early summer. If you prefer continuous fruiting throughout the season, everbearing strawberries or day neutral strawberry types are ideal.
To select the best type for your region, check our guide on selecting strawberries for your garden.
Caring for Bare Root Strawberry Plants
Once plants start growing, keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Avoid overhead watering, which can cause disease. Regular maintenance—including weeding, pruning runners, and fertilizing—helps keep your growing bare root strawberry plants healthy all season long.
Use organic fertilizers as described in how to grow big strawberries organically. After the harvest, follow this guide on how to renovate, renew, and maintain a strawberry bed to keep your patch productive year after year.
For seasonal advice, read seasonal care and maintenance of strawberry plants.
Bare Root vs. Potted Strawberry Plants
While potted plants provide a head start, bare root plants often establish stronger, deeper roots that adapt better to the soil. Bare root strawberry planting also offers flexibility—you can store the plants for a short time before planting, and they’re typically available in larger quantities, making it easier to start strawberry patches of any size.
Harvesting and Storing Bare Root Crowns
When the growing season ends, you can dig up healthy crowns with long roots to store for next season. Gently clean the roots, let them dry slightly, and store them in a cool, dark place. For step-by-step guidance, see storing bareroot strawberries.
By properly storing your crowns, you’ll have strong bare root plants ready for planting next early spring.
Conclusion
When you plant strawberry bare root, you’re setting the stage for vigorous, healthy plants and a sweet, plentiful harvest. With the right soil preparation, correct planting depth, and consistent watering, your growing strawberry patch will thrive for years.
To learn more, check out how to plant strawberries: a growing guide. Explore our strawberry plants collection to start your own berry patch today.
6 comments
I’ve grown everbearing strawberries aquaponically for years; depending upon the water temperature they can produce year-round in Kentucky.
Sergio, I am not familiar with growing strawberries hydroponically. I would try a google search of that topic to find out the time to fruiting.
I am planning on growing strawberries in hydroponic Dutch buckets do the same rules still apply. Aka two year to get berries. Our door in California my back yard is all cement.
Christina, you should definitely see some growth by now. Is your soil fertile? You might try giving them a little fertilizer and or kelp to help them out. Planting strawberries is tricky, if you plant them too deep the crowns will rot, too shallow the roots will dry out. Most likely the ones that don’t have leaves are probably dead, by now.
The soil is definitely fertile, and I did mix with organic plant food when I first planted. The ones with leaves seem to FINALLY be doing a bit better as of recently, but the others still do not have any growth. I’ll leave them for a bit longer, but sadly I think you are right about them being dead by now. They were already pretty dried out when I brought them home. Thanks so much for your response!