Growing Strawberries 
Strawberries are one of the easiest crops to grow. 
Good plants set at the proper season 
in good soil will thrive with ordinary care and cultivation. There is nothing complicated about 
growing strawberries, and by following these easy instructions the beginner can be sure of 
good results. 
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 and fertilizer: A good soil for strawberries 
is one that is slightly acid, in good condition, and 
reasonably free of weed seed. Newly plowed pas- 
ture land or sod may give poor results, but recently 
cleared woodland is excellent. If good soil is prop- 
erly prepared, it can be successfully replanted to 
strawberries a year after an old planting was 
plowed up. Important requirements for straw- 
berries are high organic matter and high fertility. 
Well-rotted barnyard manure is one of the best 
materials for good strawberry growth but other 
organic matter is very helpful. Well-rotted poultry 
manure can be used. Many growers plow under 
about 500 lbs. of complete fertilizer two or three 
weeks before planting, but if the soil contains a 
good supply of manure 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 be safely used at any time during the grow- 
ing season. 
Strawberries have a high requirement for nitro- 
gen, but it must be applied at the proper time or 
else very 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 fertilizer 
at this time. This is equal to about 1 lb. per 80 sq. 
ft. of strawberry bed. The fertilizer 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 usually used at the rate of 
4 lbs. per 25 ft. of strawberry row and will cause 
no injury or damage to the plants. It should be 
applied once in early spring, again in midsummer. 
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 quality. We believe this is one of the most 
common causes of poor strawberry yields and rec- 
ommend that fruiting beds should not be fertilized 
in the spring. 
18 BUY RAYNER’S PLANTS AND YOU BUY THE BEST 
Rayner’s registered virus-free stock is further assurance of success. 
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 will not harm 
newly planted strawberries. With Rayner’s dor- 
mant plants, there ts a definite trend to summer 
planting where irrigation ts available. This giwes a 
less crowded plant bed which yields unusually 
heavy crops of very large berries. In cold climates 
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 fertilizer 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. Slightly narrow fruiting 
beds will usually have better yields and higher 
quality than beds that are unusually thick. There 
are usually two extra plants per bunch, so set the 
extras at a row end and use if replacements are 
needed. 
Plants Required Per Acre 
Plants required per acre at various 
planting distances: 
Rows Distance in Row Plants per Acre 
3% ft. apart 18 in. 8,325 
31% ft. apart 24 in. 6,225 
3% ft. apart 30 in. 5,000 
4 ft. apart 15 in. 8,750 
4 ft. apart 18 in. 7,300 
4 ft. apart 24 in. 5,425 
4 ft. apart 30 in. 4,375 
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