Growing Strawberries 



Strawberries are one of the easiest crops to grow. Good plants set out at the proper 

 season In good soil will thrive with ordinary care and cultivation. There is nothing com- 

 plicated about growing strawberries, and by following these easy Instructions the beginner 

 can be sure of good results. Rayner's registered virus-free stock Is further assurance of success. 



Where strawberries can be grown: In every 

 state of the Union strawberries are grown at least 

 to some extent. They are quite hardy and will 

 give good results in any reasonably fertile soil 

 that has good moisture. Like other fruit, straw- 

 berries require almost full sunlight for good fruit 

 production. 



Soil: A good soil for strawberries is one that is 

 slightly acid, in good condition, and reasonably 

 free of weed seed. Newly plowed pasture or sod 

 may give poor results, but recently cleared wood- 

 land is excellent. All good garden soils will pro- 

 duce strawberries successfully. 



Fertilizer: Important requirements for straw- 

 berries are high organic matter and high fertility. 

 Before planting, plow down well-rotted barnyard 

 manure, which is one of the best materials for good 

 strawberry growth. If this is not available, other 

 organic material is helpful. If you wish to use a 

 commercial fertilizer, plow down 500 pounds to 

 the acre of a complete fertilizer (8-8-8 or 10-10-10). 

 This is equal to about 13^ pounds per 100 sq. ft. If 

 the soil contains a good supply of manure and is in a 

 ver}' high state of fertility, this is not necessary. 



Use of a good soluble fertilizer at time of plant- 

 ing is recommended. It will not burn the plants 

 and can safeh' be used at any time during the 

 growing season. 



In poor soils an apphcation of cottonseed meal 

 or a complete commercial fertilizer may be neces- 

 sary 4 to 6 weeks after planting. 



Strawberries have a high requirement for nitro- 

 gen, but it must be apphed at the proper time or 

 else verj^ adverse effects may result. Fruit buds, 

 which determine the spring crop, are developed in 

 the plant during August and September. There- 

 fore, this is the most important time to apply fer- 

 tilizer. ]Most successful growers apply about 500 

 lbs. per acre of a 10-6-4, 8-8-8, or similar fertihzer 

 at this time. This is equal to about 1 lb. per 80 sq. 

 ft. of strawberry' bed. The fertihzer should be 

 spread directly on the plants when dry and then 

 brushed off the leaves. If applied when the leaves 

 are wet, injury may result. 



An excellent organic plant food for strawberries 

 and nearly all other plants is cottonseed meal. It 

 is obtained entirely from ground cottonseed and 

 is thus entirely organic in nature. Usually it con- 

 tains about 6% nitrogen, 3% phosphoric acid, and 

 2% potash plus other important elements. Thus, 

 cottonseed meal is a perfect plant food for those 

 who follow the highly commendable practices of 

 organic gardening. It is usualh' used at the rate of 

 4 lbs. per 25 ft. of strawberry- row and will cause 

 no injurj- or damage to the plants. 



In general, it is best not to apply fertilizer dur- 

 ing the spring on fruiting beds. This can cause 

 excess plant growth, reduced fruit production, and 



poorer quahty. We beUeve this is one of the most 

 common causes of poor strawberrj' yields and rec- 

 ommend that fruiting beds should not be fertilized 

 in the spring. 



When to plant: Early spring is usually the best 

 time to plant strawberries. In northern states it is 

 best to wait until May or even June when the soil 

 is in good condition. Frost or snow -^ill not harm 

 newly planted strawberries. With Rayner's dor- 

 viant plants, there is a definite trend to summer 

 ■planting where irrigation is available. This gives a 

 less crowded plant bed which yields unusually 

 heavy crops of very large berries. In cold chmates 

 we do not recommend planting after mid-July. Fall 

 plantings are sometimes successful but are often 

 damaged or completely destroyed by winter injury. 



How to plant: It is important not to set the 

 plant too deep or too shallow — see photo below. 

 Do not clip the roots but spread them out full 

 length and press soil around the plant so that the 

 roots are firmly anchored in the soil. About a pint 

 of water or soluble fertihzer solution should be 

 poured around each plant when it is put in the hole. 

 A good planting distance is 2 ft. apart in the row, 

 with 4 ft. between rows. Shghtly narrow fruiting 

 beds will usually have better }-ields and higher 

 quality than beds that are unusually thick. There 

 are usually two extra plants per bunch, so set the ex- 

 tras at a row end and use if replacements are needed. 



ALL RAYNER'S STRAWBERRY PLANTS ARE VIRUS-FREE 



