How far apart to plant strawberries
It depends on the type. June-bearing strawberries in a matted row go 18 to 24 inches apart in rows 3 to 4 feet apart, as University of Maryland Extension and Utah State University Extension both give it. These are mother plants: their runners root and fill the row. Day-neutral and everbearing plants make few runners and sit closer, 8 to 12 inches apart with 30 to 36 inches between rows, per Ohio State University Extension. In a hill system, Utah State sets plants 12 to 15 inches apart in staggered rows 12 to 15 inches apart.
The calculator opens on June-bearing mother plants at 21 inches. Pick day-neutral or the hill system in the variety menu to switch.
How many strawberry plants fit a raised bed
| Bed | June-bearing, 21 in | Day-neutral, 10 in | Hill system, 14 in | Square foot method (4 per sq ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 × 4 ft | 4 | 16 | 9 | 64 |
| 4 × 8 ft | 8 | 36 | 18 | 128 |
| 3 × 6 ft | 3 | 21 | 10 | 72 |
| 4 × 12 ft | 12 | 56 | 30 | 192 |
The first three columns set plants the same distance each way and keep half a spacing clear at the bed edges, the way the calculator counts. The June-bearing count looks low because those plants are only the start: their runners root and fill the gaps. The square foot count from the UC Master Gardeners guide packs every square, so it is the most you could fit.
In a garden row, a 25 ft row takes 14 June-bearing mother plants at 21 inches or 30 day-neutral plants at 10 inches.
June-bearing or day-neutral?
- June-bearing plants set flower buds in the short days of autumn and bear one crop a year. Utah State says a matted row bears its first crop in the second spring and stays productive for several seasons; Ohio State notes each plant may give up to one quart in the first fruiting year. Utah State lets runners fill a row 12 to 18 inches wide.
- Day-neutral plants set buds whenever temperatures stay below about 70 °F, so they can fruit in the planting year once the first flowers are removed. Utah State's hill system with these plants is usually replanted after one or two seasons.
Planting depth and timing
Set each plant so the soil covers the roots and only the base of the crown; Maryland says half the crown goes below the soil line, with the roots fanned out. Plant in early spring: Ohio State does not recommend fall planting because of frost heaving. For June-bearers, Maryland removes the flowers for the entire first season so the plants build roots and runners; day-neutral plants lose only their first 4 to 6 weeks of flowers.
How many plants to buy
For a household count, see how many strawberry plants per person. To plant strawberries alongside other crops, use the raised bed planner or the square foot gardening calculator.