Strawberries are a popular crop for Michigan home gardens, offering a rewarding harvest that signals the start of summer. Achieving a successful yield relies heavily on precise timing and preparation. Planting at the correct time ensures the dormant plant establishes a robust root system before summer heat arrives and develops flower buds for future fruit production. Since strawberries are perennials, first-year care is crucial to guarantee a harvest in subsequent seasons.
Timing Based on Strawberry Type
The best time to plant strawberries in Michigan is generally early spring, as soon as the soil is workable. This period typically ranges from late March through May, depending on the region. The goal is to plant bare-root stock when the soil temperature reaches approximately 50°F, allowing roots to establish before high summer temperatures. Planting too late significantly reduces the plant’s ability to develop sufficiently for the following year.
June-bearing varieties, which produce one large crop over a two-to-three-week period, are the most common type for Michigan gardens. These plants must be set out in the earliest part of spring to maximize runner and flower bud production later in the year. The first year for June-bearers focuses entirely on vegetative growth, not fruit production, to build a strong patch for the next season.
Day-neutral and everbearing varieties can also be planted in early spring, coinciding with the June-bearers. These types are less sensitive to day length and produce smaller harvests throughout the summer and fall of their first year. Although they can be planted slightly later, early planting remains beneficial for root development. Day-neutrals are sensitive to warm soil, making an early start and immediate mulch application advantageous for establishment.
Preparing the Site and Selecting Varieties
A successful strawberry patch requires a site that receives full sun, ideally six or more hours of direct light daily. The location must also offer excellent drainage, as the shallow root systems are susceptible to rot in waterlogged conditions. Building raised beds or incorporating organic matter, like well-rotted compost, can significantly improve drainage in heavy clay soils.
Strawberries thrive in slightly acidic soil, with an optimal pH range of 5.5 to 6.5. It is beneficial to conduct a soil test the year before planting, as adjusting the pH level with amendments can take many months. Incorporating phosphorus and potassium fertilizers based on soil test results is also best done before planting, since these nutrients do not move easily through the soil profile.
Selecting cold-hardy, disease-resistant varieties is important for a perennial crop in Michigan’s climate. Recommended June-bearing cultivars include ‘Honeoye,’ known for its cold tolerance and high yields, and ‘Earliglow,’ prized for its flavor and early ripening. For gardeners who prefer a season-long harvest, day-neutral varieties like ‘Tribute’ and ‘Tristar’ are reliable producers that perform well in the Midwest.
Essential Planting Techniques
When planting bare-root stock, proper crown placement is the most important technique for ensuring survival. The crown is the compressed stem structure from which the roots grow down and the leaves grow up. The plant must be set so the midpoint of the crown is exactly at the soil surface, with the roots fully covered and the growing bud exposed. Planting too deeply smothers the crown, while planting too shallowly allows the roots to dry out.
Before placing the plants, the roots should be trimmed slightly to about five or six inches long and fanned out in the planting hole to encourage outward growth. Planting is best done on a cloudy day or late in the afternoon to minimize transplant shock. June-bearing varieties are typically planted using the matted row system, requiring 18 to 24 inches between plants to allow runners to fill the row.
Day-neutral plants are spaced more closely, generally five to nine inches apart, and are grown in a hill system where runners are removed. Regardless of the system, gently firming the soil around the newly set plant ensures good contact between the roots and soil particles. Immediate watering after planting settles the soil and provides the moisture needed for the plant to begin active growth.
First-Year Care and Overwintering
Careful management during the first growing season is important for establishing a productive patch in Michigan. For June-bearing plants, every flower that appears in the first year must be pinched off immediately to divert energy into root and runner development. This practice ensures a much larger crop the following year. Day-neutral plants should also have their flowers removed until late June, allowing them to establish before beginning a modest summer and fall harvest.
Watering is important during the first year, as strawberries have a shallow root system and are sensitive to drought. Consistent moisture is necessary, particularly during dry spells. June-bearing plants should be allowed to produce runners to form the matted row. Conversely, runners must be continually removed from day-neutral plants to maintain their energy focus on fruit production.
Overwintering
Overwintering preparation is required for strawberry survival in Michigan’s cold climate. A protective layer of mulch, preferably clean wheat straw, must be applied once the plants are completely dormant, typically in late November or early December. The ideal time is after the ground surface has frozen slightly, often following several nights with temperatures in the low 20s. Applying mulch too early can cause the plants to rot or become susceptible to cold damage.
The straw should be applied loosely to a depth of four to six inches to insulate the crowns and prevent freeze-thaw cycles. In the spring, when new growth emerges, the mulch should be raked off the plants and moved into the aisles to suppress weeds and keep berries clean.