Strawberries should be planted in the spring as soon as the soil is dry enough to be prepared.
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Do strawberries grow well in Massachusetts?
Growing strawberries in Massachusetts can be a great way to enjoy fresh fruit in the summer months! With the right climate and soil conditions, you can have a successful and bountiful strawberry harvest. It is important to know your local climate and soil conditions before planting, as well as the necessary maintenance and harvesting techniques.
Are strawberries perennial in Massachusetts?
A beginner’s guide to growing strawberries Strawberries are one of the gardener’s favorite crops. There is no comparing a fresh-picked, homegrown strawberry to most supermarket fare. Strawberries are also one of the fruits that require a small amount of space but can produce abundantly. Like other berries, most strawberries are perennials, which means their roots stay from year to year and expand with each passing year, although any particular plant will begin to decline after about two or three years. On the other hand, some types will not even produce fruit in the first year they are planted. So keep this in mind when choosing which strawberries you will plant. When to plant strawberries Spring is the perfect time to plant strawberries, but not the only time. Depending on what type of strawberries you plant, they may produce their first summer or they may need an overwintering period in order to start producing their second summer. If you want fruit in your first season, make sure you buy “dayneutral” or “everbearer” types of strawberries, which can produce in their first summer, although be patient as it can take up to 12 weeks from the date of planting for fruit to form. Also, you can buy mature potted plants that will be ready to produce. If choosing Junebearing-type plants, they will produce their second summer. While they don’t provide instant gratification, Junebearers are reputed to produce the most flavorful strawberries, so the wait may be worth it. Soil and sun Strawberries need full sun and prefer a sandy loam soil with ample organic matter and a pH of 6.0-6.5, but they can really grow in many types of soil as long as there is good drainage. You should prepare your soil by adding ample compost, well-composted manure, or garden soil to the area you plan to use, or if using pots, fill with fresh potting soil. Soil should also be kept free of weeds. Buying a potted strawberry plant If you’re buying a mature strawberry plant in a pot, it’s probably ready to produce strawberries and all it needs from you is watering and a place in the sun. This is the most convenient and practical way to grow strawberries for most people. Planting strawberries in the garden When planting in the garden, space plants about 18-24 inches apart in single rows. Dig holes deep enough so that the crown (base) of each plant will be at surface level, not below it, which would encourage disease. Fill the soil around the roots and press firmly, being careful not to leave any roots exposed. Water in the transplants. When and how to water strawberry plants Water strawberry plants regularly, and more often in hot, dry weather. Water at the base of the plants, not on their leaves or fruits, and also don’t let water splash on the leaves or fruit, as this can encourage disease. Also, try to water in the morning so the surface water can evaporate by evening. How to water strawberries without splashing the leaves and fruit: Use drip lines; use direct-point watering (put hose on low pressure and water at base of plants); use drip tape; or if you don’t have time or patience to do those things, mulch (e.g., straw, thus the name “strawberries”) which then you can water however you want and the soil won’t splash. General care It’s a very good idea to keep your strawberries off the soil. If you’re growing in the ground, that means placing straw, plastic, or some other kind of mulch under your plants. This will protect them from weeds, will retain moisture in the soil and prevent disease. It is also a good idea to place netting over your plants to prevent birds from eating your crop. Strawberry variety Before we talk about choosing varieties, the easiest thing to do is go to your local nursery or garden center, see what they’re carrying, and ask them which variety will work best for what you want. If you’d like to know the nitty gritty, there are three categories of strawberries: the Junebearer, the everbearer, and the “dayneutral” type. Dayneutrals and everbearers can be grown as annuals. They prefer long summer days and will produce fruit the first summer they are planted, while Junebearers will only start producing the second summer after planting. They generally hibernate during the winter and so are good for cold regions. All types are ideally planted in spring. For young Junebearers and everbearers, the experts suggest pinching off any flowers that form for the first three to four months after planting. For dayneutrals, they suggest pinching flowers for the first six weeks. Dayneutrals will then produce strawberries for the rest of summer and fall, everbearers will produce a fall crop, and Junebearers will produce their first crop the next June. By preventing flower growth, you let your plants grow their runners and it will ensure a strong plant and good production. Dropping names Some varieties worth mentioning: Earliglow is an early ripening Junebearer. It is very sweet and disease resistant. Ozark Beauty is a heavy-producing everbearer. Its berries are good for eating fresh, canning and freezing, and it’s resistant to leaf rot. Seascape is a heavy-producing dayneutral. It is disease resistant and produces firm, appealing fruit. It will produce a heavy crop in late spring and a lesser crop until fall. Which to choose? There are many varieties within each of the three strawberry types to consider. Some are known for their flavor (Alpine Yellow tastes like pineapple), some for disease resistance, and some for abundance. If you plan to freeze or can most of your berries, Junebearers make sense since they produce most of their fruit all at once. If you prefer fresh strawberries and an extended strawberry-growing season, everbearers and dayneutrals are the way to go. Jordan Laio is a writer for, a networking site for those with home-improvement projects. : A beginner’s guide to growing strawberries
Can you grow strawberries in New England?
Bulletin #2067, Growing Strawberries – Cooperative Extension Publications – University of Maine Cooperative Extension Prepared by David T. Handley, vegetable and small fruit specialist, University of Maine Cooperative Extension For information about UMaine Extension programs and resources, visit, Find more of our publications and books at, Table of Contents: Strawberries are an excellent crop for both home gardeners and commercial farmers in New England.
How long is strawberry season in Massachusetts?
Strawberry Season generally lasts from early June through early July, with variations every season due to weather conditions. –
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