Plants should be set so that the top of the crown (which 
is the fleshy part of plant from which new leaves unfold) is even 
with the ground surface. 
PLANT DISTANCES 
Plants should be set in rows about 314 feet apart and about 
24 inches apart in the row. Runner plants should be spaced about 
8 inches apart. This calls for much patience and work but plants 
properly spaced will result in maximum yields especially in the 
everbearing variety. It also results in a much higher quality of 
fruit. 
COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS 
Summer application of nitrate fertilizer may be desirable 
to stimulate plant growth. The fertilizer should be placed along- 
side the plants and must be thoroughly washed in by irrigation 
or rains. If rains do not come and irrigation is not available this 
treatment may even be harmful. In general we have found no 
increased benefits of fertilizers (nitrates, phosphate, or potash) 
to our soils. 
LIME APPLICATIONS 
Strawberries prefer an acid soil. Applications of lime have 
been found generally harmful to plants in this area. The optimum 
pH for strawberry plants ranges from 5.7 to 6.0 according to those 
who have investigated this phase of strawberry production. 
MULCHING 
Mulching should be applied for two main purposes. 1. To 
keep the fruit free from soil. 2. To protect the plants in winter 
from low temperature injury. In addition mulch helps to hold 
down weeds and conserves moisture. 
Mulch should be selected that is free from weeds. Good 
marsh hay, rye straw, and shredded corn have been used satisfac- 
torily. Recently growers of everbearing strawberries have been 
using ground corn cobs and sawdust to protect berries from the 
soil. For winter covering 3 to 5 tons of straw or marsh hay per 
acre should be used. 
For a fall crop, mulch should be worked in around plants as 
