Growing strawberries is achievable across Maryland, but obtaining a successful yield depends heavily on planting the correct variety at the optimal time for the regional climate. This guidance focuses on the standard, most reliable method for establishing a thriving strawberry patch.
Choosing Your Strawberry Variety and Planting Season
The choice of strawberry type determines the ideal planting window and the pattern of your harvest. The two main categories suitable for Maryland are June-bearing and everbearing, which often includes day-neutral varieties. June-bearing plants are the standard recommendation for gardeners seeking one large, concentrated harvest, typically occurring over a three-week period in late spring or early summer.
June-bearing plants form flower buds in the previous fall, making them well-suited to Maryland’s climate. Everbearing and day-neutral types produce multiple, smaller flushes of fruit throughout the growing season, from spring until late summer. Both types are most commonly established using bare-root plants set out in the early spring, coinciding with the soil warming up after winter.
Detailed Guide to Spring Planting in Maryland
Planting bare-root strawberries in Maryland should occur as soon as the ground is workable, typically between early March and early April. This timing allows the plants to establish a robust root system before the heat of summer arrives. While eastern Maryland may plant as early as mid-March, western and higher-elevation areas should wait until closer to mid-April, or when the threat of a hard freeze has passed.
Bare-root plants should be ordered in winter for early spring delivery. Before planting, soak the roots in water for 30 to 60 minutes to rehydrate them. If the roots are excessively long, trimming them to about six inches encourages new root growth and simplifies the planting process.
Planting requires careful attention to the crown, the thickened stem where new growth emerges. The crown must be set precisely at the soil line; burying it too deep can cause the plant to rot, while planting it too high will dry out the roots. Dig the hole deep enough to allow the roots to hang straight down, then gently firm the soil around the roots to eliminate air pockets. A thorough initial watering immediately after planting settles the soil.
Essential Site Preparation and Initial Establishment
Successful strawberry growth requires careful site selection and soil preparation. Strawberries need full sun exposure, meaning a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal development. The soil must also be well-draining, as the shallow root system is susceptible to rot; raised beds are a simple solution for areas with heavy clay or poor drainage.
Strawberries thrive in slightly acidic soil, with a preferred pH range between 5.5 and 6.8. Conduct a soil test the previous fall to determine if amendments like lime or sulfur are needed to adjust the pH level before planting. Once planted, especially for June-bearing varieties, remove all blossoms that appear during the first year.
Pinching off these first-year flowers directs the plant’s energy toward developing a robust root system and strong crown instead of producing fruit. This practice ensures a significantly larger and healthier harvest in the second and subsequent years. Consistent watering for the first few weeks after planting is necessary to help the newly set roots establish themselves.