Strawberries Planting Guide
April is for strawberries
Everything below applies to strawberries broadly. For a plan that's dialled into your county's frost dates and soil, tap your location.
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How to water strawberries
About an inch of water a week keeps strawberries happy. Check your weather forecast before watering — skip if rain is coming.
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Where to put strawberries
strawberries wants at least 6 hours of direct sun. Less than that and you'll get leggy plants with weak yields.
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Check your local forecast before planting
Your zone determines the exact week to plant strawberries. Pick your county below and we'll line everything up against your frost dates.
Strawberries are a beloved perennial fruit available as June-bearing, ever-bearing, and day-neutral types. They are one of the easiest fruits to grow in containers or garden beds.
Fragaria x ananassa · Fruit · Rosaceae family · 90–365 days to maturity
Get Your Personalized Strawberries Planting Dates
Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.
Where Can You Grow Strawberries?
Strawberries Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Strawberries planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3a | — | — | Jun 12 | Sep 11 – Oct 16 |
| Zone 3b | — | — | Jun 7 | Sep 6 – Oct 11 |
| Zone 4a | — | — | Jun 3 | Sep 2 – Oct 28 |
| Zone 4b | — | — | May 29 | Aug 28 – Oct 23 |
| Zone 5a | — | — | May 16 | Aug 15 – Oct 31 |
| Zone 5b | — | — | May 9 | Aug 8 – Oct 24 |
| Zone 6a | — | — | May 1 | Jul 31 – Nov 13 |
| Zone 6b | — | — | Apr 24 | Jul 24 – Nov 6 |
| Zone 7a | — | — | Apr 15 | Jul 15 – Nov 25 |
| Zone 7b | — | — | Apr 8 | Jul 8 – Nov 18 |
| Zone 8a | — | — | Mar 29 | Jun 28 – Dec 13 |
| Zone 8b | — | — | Mar 18 | Jun 17 – Dec 2 |
| Zone 9a | — | — | Feb 24 | May 26 – Dec 22 |
| Zone 9b | — | — | Feb 8 | May 10 – Dec 6 |
| Zone 10a | — | — | Jan 15 | Apr 16 – Jan 14 |
| Zone 10b | — | — | Jan 15 | Apr 16 – Jan 14 |
Why are some columns showing "—"?
Start Indoors shows "—" because Strawberries is typically direct sown outdoors rather than started indoors. It germinates quickly and doesn't transplant well.
Direct Sow shows "—" because Strawberries benefits from being started indoors first, then transplanted after the last frost.
How to Plant Strawberries
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistent moisture produces the best results.
🧪 Soil pH
5.5 – 6.8
Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.
🗺️ Hardiness Zones
Zone 3a – 10b
📅 Days to Maturity
90–365 days
Medium-season crop. Start early for best results in shorter seasons.
👪 Plant Family
Rosaceae
Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Rosaceae family crops grew last year.
How Much Strawberries to Grow
Each strawberries plant produces approximately 1 lb. For a family of 4, plant around 40 plants.
Companion Planting for Strawberries
✅ Good Companions
❌ Keep Away From
Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Growing Tips for Strawberries
Plant with crowns at soil level. Remove runners the first year to strengthen plants. Mulch with straw to keep fruit clean and suppress weeds. Renovate June-bearing beds after harvest.
💧 Watering: Strawberries needs approximately 1 inches of water per week during active growth. Adjust based on your local rainfall — check your county page for a monthly watering guide specific to your area.
Saving Strawberries Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Sharp bypass pruners for clean cuts on fruit trees, berry bushes, and woody herbs.
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Seed Saving & Storage Guide
Most saved seeds go bad before next season. This shows exactly when to pick, how to dry, and where to store seeds from 200 plants so yours don't.
- 200 plants, step-by-step: life cycle, pollination type, isolation
- Exact temperature + humidity ranges that keep seeds viable
- Bonus: searchable Google Sheets tracker + custom GPT assistant
Strawberries by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Strawberries?
Strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa) takes 90 to 365 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Strawberries grow in?
Strawberries can be grown in USDA zones 3a through 10b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Strawberries need?
Growing Strawberries requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 5.5 to 6.8.