Home-grown strawberries are a popular choice for Arkansas gardeners. The state’s diverse climate, spanning USDA Hardiness Zones 6b in the north to 8a in the south, requires specific timing for successful planting. Understanding the two primary planting windows is the first step toward establishing a productive berry patch. The goal is to provide plants enough time to develop a strong root system before facing the environmental extremes of the Arkansas year.
Optimal Planting Times Based on Arkansas Climate
The most traditional planting window for June-bearing strawberries in Arkansas is early spring, typically from mid-February through March. This timing gets bare-root plants into the ground just as the soil warms and after the risk of a hard, late-season freeze has passed. Planting in this window allows the root system to establish itself fully before the intense heat and dry spells of summer arrive. Although a small, first-year harvest is possible, the primary goal of spring planting is vegetative growth and root development for a full crop the following year.
The second viable planting window is late summer or early fall, generally spanning from late August through October. This timing is often favored by commercial growers using the annual hill system. This period is ideal for starting with potted or “plug plants,” as milder temperatures allow for immediate, vigorous root growth. Fall planting provides the plants the entire cool season to mature, encouraging the development of flower buds before winter dormancy sets in. Planting too late risks the young plants not being sufficiently established to survive winter freezes, while planting too early can subject them to severe summer heat.
Site Selection and Preparing the Soil
Strawberries thrive when they receive at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily, making a full-sun location a prerequisite. Beyond light, the quality of the soil and its drainage capabilities are important, especially in regions of Arkansas with heavy clay content. Since the plants have a shallow root system residing in the top six to eight inches of soil, they are highly susceptible to waterlogged conditions.
For areas with naturally poor drainage, creating raised beds is an effective solution to prevent root rot and improve aeration. Strawberries prefer a slightly acidic soil environment, with a target pH range between 5.5 and 6.5 ideal for nutrient uptake. Incorporating generous amounts of organic matter, such as well-aged compost or manure, several months before planting will enrich the soil and enhance its structure and water retention. A soil test should be conducted prior to planting to determine if amendments are needed to adjust the pH or nutrient levels.
Proper Planting Techniques for Establishment
Planting begins by preparing bare-root plants, which should be soaked in water for one to two hours to rehydrate the root tissue. Once rehydrated, the roots should be spread out in the planting hole to prevent curling or bunching up, which inhibits proper growth. If the roots are excessively long, they can be trimmed back to about four to five inches to encourage new, fibrous root development.
The placement of the crown, the point where the leaves emerge from the root system, is the most important technical detail during planting. The crown must be set precisely at the soil surface level. If planted too deep, the crown will likely rot; if planted too shallow, the exposed roots will dry out. For home gardens, the matted-row system is often recommended, spacing plants 18 to 24 inches apart and allowing runners to fill the space. Immediately after planting, the soil around each plant should be firmed gently and thoroughly watered to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets.
Essential First-Year Maintenance
The first growing season is dedicated to establishing a robust plant, not harvesting fruit. This requires the removal of all flowers on June-bearing varieties. Pinching off these initial flowers redirects the plant’s energy away from fruit production and into developing a strong root system and a larger crown. Allowing a first-year plant to bear fruit depletes the resources needed for next year’s heavy crop.
All runners, the horizontal stems that produce new daughter plants, should also be removed as they appear during the first year, particularly for plants grown in the hill system. This pruning ensures the plant focuses energy on increasing the size and vigor of the original mother plant, leading to higher yields later. Throughout the growing season, strawberries require approximately one inch of water per week, either from rainfall or supplemental irrigation. For winter protection, a layer of clean straw mulch, two to four inches deep, should be applied over the plants only after the ground has frozen to prevent early thawing and shield the crowns.