How Deep to Plant Strawberries

Strawberries are a delicious addition to any garden and provide a sweet treat all summer long.

Strawberries are relatively easy to grow and can fit into tight spaces or fill large garden plots. 

Growing strawberries does not require any special equipment. 

And they can even be grown in a container or pot on a deck, porch, patio, or balcony.

This article teaches you how deep to plant strawberries.

How Deep Should You Plant Strawberries? 

Strawberry roots grow to an average depth of 15 cm. 

However, the roots of some strawberry plants can grow up to 23 cm. 

You should plant your strawberries so that the roots are completely covered. However, the earth cannot pass over the cup. 

Strawberry plants grow in just 15 cm of soil. 

Plant your strawberries with their roots completely covered. 

You can grow your plants in containers that are 6 inches high and 12 inches wide (15 x 30 cm).

Use larger containers to grow multiple strawberry plants in one pot. 

Strawberries grow well in shallow containers. 

For best results, choose a container that is at least 6 inches deep. 

The pot should be 30cm in diameter to accommodate all the roots as they spread. 

You can fit multiple plants in one pot by using a whiskey barrel style planter, planter, or large container.

Strawberry root systems reach just 12 inches (30 cm) below the soil surface. 

Your strawberry plants have primary and secondary roots. 

The tap roots grow back from higher up in the crown each year. 

Aid strawberry root growth by adding about an inch of soil around the plants each season.

Your strawberry plants have primary and secondary roots. 

The main roots last about a year. 

After this, new roots grow from the nodes further up the crown. 

Therefore, it is important to add an inch of soil around your strawberry plants at the beginning of each season.

Just make sure the soil stays level with the base of the crown and the top of the root system. 

What Happens If You Plant Strawberries Too Deep? 

When planting strawberry plants, you should make sure you plant them at the right depth. 

If the plants are too shallow, the roots begin to dry out, if they are too deep, they rot. 

Strawberry plants should be planted with the crown above the ground.

If strawberries are planted too deep, the crowns will rot. 

The crown will first stop producing more leaves and flowers.

Shortly thereafter, it turns brown and mushy. 

A rotten crown leads to the complete death of the plant. 

Strawberry plants should be planted with the crown above the ground. 

For best results, hold the crown in hand when planting and make sure it is not buried.

Planting strawberries too deep will result in crown rot. 

The crown first stops producing leaves and flowers before turning brown and mushy. 

A rotten strawberry crown will lead to the death of the plant.

The base of the crown should be just off the ground. 

For best results, all roots should be completely covered with soil. 

The base of the crown needs to sit on the floor. 

Proper positioning of the starter plant also keeps all of the roots underground. 

You should monitor your plants carefully throughout the growing season to ensure they are being maintained at the correct depth.

If not, remove or replace grounding as needed.

Steps To Plant Strawberries at the Right Depth

Strawberries are incredibly easy to grow if you follow a few steps to properly plant them. 

To plant your strawberries at the right depth, just follow these steps: 

Prepare a Garden Bed 

It is best to cultivate and till the area the year before you plan to plant your strawberries to eliminate competing grasses. 

If possible, it’s best to plant a cover crop the year before you plan to start growing strawberries to improve soil quality. 

When you’re ready to plant your berry plants, do your best to ensure the location is weed-free 

Add more organic matter before planting, especially if the soil doesn’t retain moisture very well. 

In addition, organic or inorganic fertilizer can further improve soil quality when reduced to 15 cm.

The pH of the soil in your location is also important for growing strawberries. 

To grow strawberries most effectively, the soil should be slightly acidic. 

Strawberries do best in acidic soil with a pH between 5.4 and 6. 

Test your soil with this pH meter. 

If you need to increase soil acidity for your strawberries, mix ammonium sulfate into the soil to create the perfect strawberry habitat.

Your strawberries need garden beds with 6 to 9 inches of loose soil for their roots to develop. 

Whether planting strawberries in the ground, in pots or raised beds, provide at least 15cm of soil. 

It helps to till the soil before planting in the ground as this loosens the soil and allows the strawberries to grow healthy roots. 

Plant your strawberries in beds with 15 to 23 cm of soil. 

Soil preparation is an opportunity to add this Ammonium Sulfate to increase soil acidity.

Tilling and preparing the soil is also the perfect time to mix soil amendments. 

Plan Your Strawberry Rows 

The row system for growing strawberries is most commonly used for varieties that produce in June and works well for any crop that sends out a lot of stolons. 

To grow strawberries with this system, space the plants about 24 inches apart (18 to 30 inches is acceptable) in rows about 4 feet apart. 

Allow the runners to spread freely, rooting in the row at will to form a criss-cross row about 24 inches wide. 

This allows their root systems to spread. 

If you plant strawberries too close together, the roots could become tangled and compete for nutrients. 

Create a strawberry plantation with a row spacing of 30 to 45 cm.

Individual strawberry plants in each row should also be 12-18 inches apart. 

Choose a sunny location for the best strawberry production. 

The following steps are easier. 

When choosing a planting location, be sure to follow our tips to help your strawberries bear more fruit.

Trim the Roots 

Cut the roots with pruning shears being careful not to damage the strawberry roots. 

Dispose of runners and small plants outside of the strawberry bed, preferably on your compost.

You can easily trim strawberry runners so your plants can focus their energy on berry production.

Cut the roots of strawberries. 

Remove the strawberry plants from their tray, pot, or container before planting. 

Then use sharp, clean secateurs to trim the roots of each strawberry plant. 

The length ideal for strawberry roots is 4 inches (10 cm) long. 

Use these pruning shears to trim strawberry roots to 10cm before planting.

Pruning the roots encourages new growth and prevents the roots of the strawberry plants from competing with each other. 

To make trimming easier, soak the roots of strawberry plants for 30 minutes before trimming. 

Pruning the roots of strawberries before planting encourages new growth and prevents tangled, crowded roots in the ground. 

To make trimming easier and less shocking to your plants, soak the roots of the strawberry plant in water for 30 minutes before pruning.

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Plant Your Strawberries 

Once you’ve cut off the roots of your strawberry plants, it’s time to plant them in the ground, in a pot, or a raised bed. 

Make the hole wide enough to fit the roots of the strawberry. 

Plant your strawberry in the hole.

Repeat the process for the remaining strawberry plants. 

Strawberries should be planted with the crown exposed. 

Find the crown by looking closely at your plants before planting them on the ground. 

The crown is the thickened stem in the center of the plant.

The crown should be off the ground and visible above the plastic layer. 

If you bury the crown when planting the strawberries, the plants will suffer. 

At the bottom of the hole, create a mound or mound of dirt that is flush with the surrounding ground level. 

Place the strawberry plant in the hole at the top of a mound so that the crown is at ground level and the roots spread out to the sides of the mound. 

Backfill the hole, making sure the bottom is level with the center of the cup. 

Once the plants are planted, press down to firm the soil around the roots, then water the well. 

Pine needles are a good choice as they slightly increase soil acidity when mined.

Mulch also keeps soil temperatures down, alleviates weed problems, and keeps fruit cleaner by keeping strawberries off the ground.

FAQ

Final Thoughts 

follow the steps highlighted above and you will deep plant your strawberries well.

Plant your strawberries at the right depth and they will produce well for several years. have you tried planting strawberries, what was your experience? tell us in the comments below.