Suggestions For 
Strawberry Culture 
SOIL AND SOIL PREPARATION 
The first requirement for successful strawberry growing 
is thorough preparation of suitable soil. We must keep in 
mind that this is a type of very intensive farming where a 
relatively large amount of labor and expense is expended on 
a small acreage, and choose the best soil we have for the 
purpose. 
Berries are grown successfully in a wide 
variety of climates, and in many kinds of soils. 
We generally think that a sandy loam is most 
favorable, partly because it is more easily 
worked and kept in shape. Good drainage is 
important. Whatever the type of soil it should 
be high in fertility and humus content. This 
condition is best obtained in the years prior 
to setting the berries by the use of barnyard 
manure, legumes, green manure crops, and the 
other methods of good handling familiar to 
most farmers. Top dressing with well rotted 
manure is a very excellent practice. 
Fall plowing is good for berries. Certainly the soil must 
be well worked down to eliminate all clods, and to make the 
plant bed firm but friable. It is best not to have had the 
ground in heavy sod the previous year on account of cut 
worms and white grubs. These pests may do a great deal of 
damage in early season by eating off the plants at ground 
level. 
Extensive experiments have shown that berries do best 
on a soil that is slightly acid, therefore in most cases the 
application of lime is not necessary or advisable. 
COMMERCIAL FERTILIZER 
Commercial fertilizers must be used carefully. They can 
do a great deal of good, but may do serious damage if not 
properly handled. Definitely, commercial fertilizer must not 
5 
