The ideal location for strawberries: 6 facts

Strawberries are one of our favorite sweet and useful fruits. For the best possible harvest, the location should be chosen ideally. You have to pay attention to these things.

Table of Contents

Sun

The more sun strawberries get, the better they ripen and the more sugar the plant develops in each individual fruit – the strawberries become sweet. A location in full sun is therefore ideal, where the strawberries receive sunlight without shading from the morning until late afternoon.

Tip: If you plant strawberry plants in tubs, the tanning in early spring can be optimized by changing the location.

water

Strawberries cannot thrive without water. The plant does not tolerate drought, so the soil should always be kept slightly moist. Water in smaller amounts at short intervals to avoid waterlogging and the associated threats of pathogens, bacteria and rot.

Earth

In principle, strawberry plants can be cultivated on almost any soil. However, for optimal growth conditions, the soil should have the following properties:

  • loose for good ventilation
  • permeable to waterlogging
  • rich in humus for a good nutrient supply

If your substrate does not have the necessary properties, you can improve the soil significantly with simple means:

  • Work in sand or mulch for better permeability
  • Loosen up and work in sand, straw or mulch for better aeration
  • Mix in humus, compost or horse manure for optimal nutrient supply

You should also check the condition of the soil during the growing season and, in particular, maintain the nutrient supply through manure, compost or universal fertilizer.

The pH

In their location, strawberries love soil with a neutral to slightly acidic character. Parameters that deviate too much lead to poorer nutrient utilization and increased susceptibility to diseases. In order to achieve the ideal soil pH value, this can be influenced with simple means by incorporating various substances into the soil:

To lower the pH value:

  • Rindenmulch
  • Oak leaf compost
  • horse manure

To increase the pH value:

  • stone flour
  • garden lime
  • kieselguhr

Wind

The strawberry likes a sheltered, but not completely windless location. Avoiding wind prevents cooling and promotes the growth of plants and fruits. Some air movement will quickly wick moisture away from the delicate leaves and prevent mold and other effects of standing moisture on the plant. Outdoors, a location in the lee of buildings or other structures is ideal. Alternatively, a green windbreak can be created in the form of strong perennials or shrubs in the main wind direction. On windy days, the pot offers a change of location to more sheltered places, while windless days guarantee optimal tanning in a free, secluded location.

warmth

Strawberries love warmth. To a large extent, this location factor can be brought about by the wind-protected and intensively sunny location already described. On the other hand, you can actively create other benefits yourself:

  • Cover plants with transparent film on cool nights
  • Cover with permanent planting tunnels until weather and temperatures appear more favorable in late spring
  • Enclosing the plant base with straw, thus thermal insulation without affecting ventilation and moisture wicking

Kira Bellingham

I'm a homes writer and editor with more than 20 years' experience in publishing. I have worked across many titles, including Ideal Home and, of course, Homes & Gardens. My day job is as Chief Group Sub Editor across the homes and interiors titles in the group. This has given me broad experience in interiors advice on just about every subject. I'm obsessed with interiors and delighted to be part of the Homes & Gardens team.

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