STRAWBERRY TIME: How I’m Prepping for Sweet Success with Bare Root Berries

Spring is in the air, and that means it's almost strawberry season in the garden! There’s something special about growing your own berries — the excitement of spotting that first white blossom, the joy of plucking a sun-warmed strawberry, and the satisfaction of tasting the literal fruits of your labor.

This year, I’m eagerly waiting on my shipment of bare root strawberry plants, and I’ve already started prepping my garden beds to make sure they’re ready for a sweet season ahead. If you’re thinking about adding strawberries to your garden, here’s how I’m getting started — and a few tips you can use too.

Why Bare Root Strawberries?

Bare root strawberries are dormant plants that ship without soil, usually in early spring. They may not look like much when they arrive — more like a tangle of roots and brown crowns than a berry plant — but give them a little care, and they’ll bounce back quickly.

They’re affordable, easy to plant, and give you a head start before temperatures really warm up.

Step One: Picking the Perfect Spot

Strawberries love sunshine. I made sure to choose a spot in my garden that gets at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Good drainage is also key — strawberries hate having “wet feet.” If your soil tends to stay soggy, consider raised beds or even large containers.

Since I’m planting everbearing varieties (which produce berries a few times throughout the season), I want to give them plenty of room to settle in and grow strong.

Step Two: Prepping the Soil

Strawberries prefer loamy, slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.8. I worked in some compost and aged manure to enrich the soil, loosened it about 8–10 inches deep, and removed any weeds or rocks. My goal is to create a bed that drains well but still holds enough moisture to support those shallow roots.

If you’re not sure about your soil’s pH or texture, a quick test kit from the garden center can help — and a little prep now goes a long way toward a healthy harvest.

SHOP MERCH

Step Three: Spacing and Bed Design

Strawberries like a bit of space to stretch out. I’m planting mine about 12–18 inches apart, leaving 3–4 feet between rows. This spacing helps with airflow, reducing the chance of disease and making it easier to pick those juicy berries when the time comes.

I’ve also mulched my beds lightly with straw (no surprise there!) to help suppress weeds, keep the soil moist, and protect the crowns once they’re planted. You can also use pine needles or shredded leaves.

Step Four: Planting Bare Root Strawberries

Once my bare root plants arrive, here’s how I’ll plant them:

1. Soak the roots in water for about 30 minutes before planting. This helps rehydrate them after shipping.

2. Dig a small hole wide enough to spread out the roots.

3. Set the crown (the part where the roots meet the leaves) just above soil level. Burying the crown too deep can cause it to rot, while planting it too shallow can dry it out.

4. Water them in well after planting, and keep the soil evenly moist while they get established.

A Few Bonus Tips:

• Pinch off the first flowers for new plants — this encourages stronger root development so your plants can produce better fruit later in the season.

• Protect young plants from birds and slugs — a little netting or copper tape goes a long way.

• Don’t let them dry out! Keep the soil consistently moist, especially in the first few weeks after planting.

I can’t wait to watch these little crowns come to life. There’s something magical about starting the season with bare roots and ending with a bowl of fresh strawberries on the table. If you’re planting along with me this spring, let me know — I’d love to hear what varieties you’re growing!

Happy planting — and here’s to a berry sweet summer.