Strawberries are a wonderful addition to any garden. Besides being colorful, they are easy to grow. Normally planted in the spring, their germination period is quick. As a result, you will pick them first before any of the other fruits and vegetables in you garden. Although there are several ways to plant strawberries, the easiest method is by planting them in rows. It doesn’t require a lot of elbow grease and can be accomplished in a day. Here’s how to do it in six simple steps.

Supplies:

• Strawberry plants
• Fertilizer
• Soil
• Compost
• Garden trowel
• Shovel
• Gloves
• Watering can
• Trash bag

Step 1: Buy strawberry plants.

You can get them at any nursery store. Select the ones that are stamped and certified as “disease-free”. This simple mark can preserve your entire crop. Strawberry plants can carry viruses, which will inevitably kill them.

Step 2: Select a site for your garden.

A small strawberry garden would be 3×3 ft. in size. It should sit on a sloped area in order to allow any excess water to drain from the soil. Also, your garden should get a lot of sunlight and very little wind. Windy areas will blow away any seeds and stunt the germination process.

Step 3: Prepare the ground for your plants.

With a shovel, dig up the ground of your garden until it is 12-inches deep. Afterward, look for any leftover grass or weeds and pull them up. Then, add a mix of soil and compost to the area. (The PH balance of your soil should be between 5.5 and 6.5.) Smooth and level out the area with your hands.

Step 4: Dig holes for your strawberry plants.

Use your trowel and dig 5×7 inch holes. The holes within each row should be 6-inches apart from each other. The space between each row should be 18-inches apart from the next one. Strawberry plants need lots of room to grow and spread their roots.

Step 5: Set strawberry plants into a hole.

The crown of each plant should stick up and above the ground along with ¼-inch of the stem. Be meticulous. If too much of the stem is sticking out, the roots will dry out. Conversely, if too much of the stem under ground, your strawberry plant will rot. So, go slow. Take your time and plant your strawberries right.

Step 6: Water your strawberry plants daily.

In order grow healthy strawberries; you need to water them regularly. They should receive at least an inch of water every week. Also, during your daily watering, check for weeds and other pests that may be attacking your plants. Remove them right away so your crop will remain healthy and vibrant.

These six steps are the ones you need to use in order to plant strawberries. Follow them and you will have delicious juicy ones to eat or preserve before summer ends.

Special Note: In order to grow bigger and juicier strawberries each year, you will want to pull off the berry buds of your first crop. This is recommended regardless of your planting method. Therefore, don’t expect to eat, fresh homegrown strawberries the first year. Expect to satisfy your taste buds in year two.