Growing strawberries in Mississippi is rewarding, but success depends heavily on proper timing due to the region’s specific environmental conditions. Planting dormant crowns at the right time ensures the plants can develop a robust root system before facing the stress of a Southern summer. This strategic timing is paramount for maximizing the following year’s harvest.
Optimal Planting Windows for Mississippi
The most advantageous time to plant strawberries in Mississippi is during the fall, allowing plants to establish a strong root network over the cooler months. This primary planting window typically runs from late September through November, utilizing the mild autumn temperatures. Planting during this period benefits perennial June-bearing varieties, as they focus energy on subterranean growth rather than producing foliage or fruit. A well-established root system handles the heat and humidity of the subsequent summer better.
Fall planting allows the plants to enter winter dormancy with roots firmly set. When spring arrives, these plants send up vigorous new growth, leading to a much larger and higher-quality harvest the following May or June. For gardeners who miss this optimal fall window, a secondary planting time exists in early spring, generally March through May, after the danger of a hard frost has passed. This spring planting is usually necessary if you purchase potted plants or bare-root stock late in the season.
Spring-planted strawberries yield a smaller crop in their first year because they must divide energy between root development and immediate fruit production. To encourage long-term plant health, growers often remove the first set of flowers from spring-planted crowns, forcing the plant to prioritize root mass. Fall remains the preferred time for planting bare-root crowns, guaranteeing the best possible start for perennial production.
Selecting Suitable Strawberry Varieties
The high heat and humidity of the Deep South require careful selection of cultivars with natural heat and disease tolerance. June-bearing strawberries are the most successful type for Mississippi, producing a large, concentrated crop in the late spring before intense summer heat. Varieties known to perform well in this climate often include ‘Chandler’ and ‘Sweet Charlie,’ which are recognized for their flavor and ability to withstand warmer conditions.
While day-neutral and everbearing types offer the promise of continuous harvests, they frequently struggle in extreme summer heat and humidity, often resulting in lower total berry weight. The heat can suppress the flower initiation process in these varieties, leading to gaps in fruit production when temperatures exceed 85°F. Focusing on heat-adapted June-bearing cultivars helps mitigate the risk of fungal diseases and general plant stress.
Essential Ground Preparation and Planting Techniques
Proper site preparation is a major factor in strawberry success, beginning with a location that receives at least eight hours of full sunlight daily. Strawberries thrive in well-drained, loamy soil with a slightly acidic pH range, ideally between 5.5 and 7.0. Because many Mississippi soils contain heavy clay, constructing raised beds is highly recommended to improve drainage and prevent root rot.
Before planting, incorporate generous amounts of organic matter, such as compost or aged manure, into the soil to a depth of at least twelve inches. This action improves soil structure and enhances nutrient retention, providing the rich, loose medium strawberry roots prefer.
When placing the plant, ensure the crown—the central growing bud—sits precisely at the soil surface. Burying the crown too deeply can cause it to rot, while planting too shallowly leaves the roots exposed to dry out. Spread the roots out horizontally in the planting hole and gently firm the soil around them, ensuring each plant is spaced about 10 to 12 inches apart. Immediately after planting, water the area thoroughly and apply a layer of mulch, such as pine straw, which helps maintain consistent soil moisture and keeps the developing berries clean.