• Ask Mark
    • Search the Library
    • Mark’s Blog
    • eNewsletter / Subscribe
    • Books
    • Links
  • Cullen’s Foods
  • Trees For Life
  • Events
    • Gardening Communities
  • About Mark
    • Mark and Ben’s Bio
    • Book Mark as a Speaker
    • Mark in the Media
    • Contact Us
June 1, 2011

The Secrets to a Successful Strawberry Patch

~ June 1, 2011

Growing strawberries is a delicious past time of many adults and children across Canada. Below are some tips and secrets to growing a successful strawberry patch.

Tip #1: Select an area with full sun and southern exposure. This is important as full sun will yield more and better quality fruit. If planting multiples, space plants 60cm apart in rows and 120cm between rows. Strawberries can be space hogs because of their runners.

Secret #1: Prepare the soil in the fall with plenty of organic matter like manure or well rotted compost and remove any weeds. Mound the soil into rows about 6 inches high and plant directly into the rows. This will help improve drainage and air circulation. Mounding the soil will also help the soil warm up quickly in the spring which is very important for good strawberry production. Apply a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer in the early spring.
Tip #2: Select a plant that is disease resistant especially to powdery mildew, this will save you a lot of time and aggravation in the future. Two good varieties are “Lateglow” and “Tristar”. Plant as soon as the ground can be worked.
Secret #2: In the first year remove all the flowers in the spring. Sacrificing the crop in the first year will make the plant larger and stronger and thus create a larger crop next year.

Tip #3: Once planted, apply about 1 inch of straw mulch over the planting area in order to keep the developing berries off the soil. Netting helps deter birds and animals from feeding on the berries while they are developing.

Secret #3: After berry production the plant will produce runners, also known as daughter plants. They can quickly overrun the patch if left unattended. Prune out some of the runners as they appear. Keep 3 or 4 of the daughter plants making sure they are evenly spaced around the mother plant.
Tip #4: After the first hard frost remove all leaves and destroy them. Apply 5 to 6 inches of straw mulch over the patch for winter protection.

← Previous post
Container Gardening with Specialty Plants

Next post →
Peonies

Search

Recent Posts

  • Signs of Spring March 27, 2021
  • Around the Acres This Week February 2, 2021
  • Around the Acres This Week January 11, 2021
  • Around the Acres This Week December 9, 2020

Mark’s Blog by Month

Ask Mark

  • eNewsletter
  • Radio/Podcast
  • Magazine article
  • Newspaper column
  • TV

Recent Tweets

Mark CullenFollow

Best selling Canadian gardening author as seen on TV, radio, online and print.

Mark Cullen
16 Oct

Tune into @1059TheRegion to hear Ben talk fall colors today with Ann Rohmer or listen online at http://1059theregion.com/ and look for THE FEED

Reply on Twitter 1449275767133773824Retweet on Twitter 14492757671337738241Like on Twitter 14492757671337738244
8 Oct

Thank you so much to @globalnewsto for having @MarkCullen4 on the "Making a Difference" segment this week. Take a look at the broadcast here: https://globalnews.ca/video/8248858/national-charity-committed-to-inspiring-tree-planting-initiatives-across-canada

Reply on Twitter 1446542309101867034Retweet on Twitter 14465423091018670342Like on Twitter 14465423091018670343
29 Jun

Bird watching isn't just a hobby, it’s an opportunity to help. Gardening expert Mark Cullen explains.

https://nexthome.ca/news/bird-watching-isnt-just-a-hobby-its-an-opportunity-to-help/1284617/

@MarkCullen4

#garden #flowers #gardens #gardenlife #nature #gardenlove #birdwatching #birding #wildlife #birdlovers #birdlife #naturelovers #birdlover

Reply on Twitter 1409878268090716161Retweet on Twitter 14098782680907161615Like on Twitter 140987826809071616117
18 Jun

Written by @MarkCullen4 for @TorontoStar, check out the top eight picks for planting in hot spots.

#LandscapeOntario #GreenforLife #GardeningTips #GardeningTrends #TorontoGardens #SouthernOntarioGardening

https://www.thestar.com/life/homes/2021/06/15/these-8-plants-are-heat-loving-sun-worshippers.html

Reply on Twitter 1405955991699701762Retweet on Twitter 14059559916997017622Like on Twitter 140595599169970176210

Comments are closed.

About Mark and Ben


Mark Cullen is an expert gardener, author & broadcaster and holds the Order of Canada. His son Ben is a fourth-generation urban gardener and graduate of Guelph and Dalhousie University.
More

Find Mark On

Sponsored Links

Highway of Heroes cullensfoods Share Agriculture Foundation Harrowsmith
© Mark Cullen. Go to top ↑