Strawberries are a highly sought-after crop in South Carolina, but a successful harvest depends on precise timing and selecting the correct cultivation method for the Southern climate. Maximizing fruit production requires understanding the specific needs of different strawberry types in the context of the state’s warm seasons and mild winters. This guide helps home gardeners and small-scale growers determine the optimal schedule and care practices for growing strawberries in South Carolina.
Determining the Optimal Planting Schedule
The optimal time to plant strawberries in South Carolina revolves around the plant’s need for a chilling period to set fruit buds for the following spring. For the dominant June-bearing varieties, fall planting is the recommended approach. Setting out bare-root or plug plants between mid-September and mid-November allows the roots to establish before winter dormancy.
Planting earlier in the Upstate region, often during September, is preferred due to cooler temperatures and earlier frost dates. Conversely, in the Coastal Plain, where the warm season extends longer, October is the ideal month for setting plants. This timing ensures the plants receive the necessary cool temperatures and short days to initiate flower bud formation, which leads to the spring harvest.
While fall planting is best for June-bearing types, a secondary window exists in early spring (February or March) for day-neutral or everbearing varieties using the matted row system. These types generally do not perform as well in the heat of the central and coastal regions. Therefore, the fall-planted, annual hill system remains the most reliable method for a large, single spring crop. Planting should occur when the soil is workable and the temperature is between 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit for bare-root stock.
Selecting Suitable Strawberry Varieties
The climate in South Carolina favors varieties that can handle heat and humidity while producing a quality crop. June-bearing varieties are the main type suited for the state, despite their name being misleading; the majority of the crop is usually ready for harvest in April and May. These varieties produce a single, concentrated harvest of large berries in the spring, which is ideal for processing or market yield.
Cultivars such as ‘Chandler,’ ‘Sweet Charlie,’ ‘Florida Brilliance,’ and ‘Ruby June’ are popular choices known to perform well in the Southern heat. Day-neutral types, like ‘Albion’ or ‘Monterrey,’ are less common and better suited to the cooler conditions of the western Upstate region. While these plants produce smaller harvests throughout the season, they are more susceptible to diseases like anthracnose in the Coastal and Central regions due to extended warm, humid conditions.
Preparation and Planting Technique
Successful establishment begins with preparing the right medium for the plant’s shallow root system, which thrives in well-drained, sandy loam soil. The soil should be tested several months before planting to ensure the pH is slightly acidic, ideally maintained between 6.0 and 6.5. Incorporating organic matter, such as compost or chopped straw, helps improve the soil structure and fertility.
The recommended method for planting June-bearing types in the South is the annual hill system, which utilizes raised beds covered with black plastic mulch. These raised beds should be approximately 8 inches high at the center to ensure excellent drainage and prevent crown rot. Plants are set out in double rows, spaced about 12 inches apart within the row.
A precise planting depth is necessary for the plant’s survival. The crown, the compressed stem where the leaves emerge, must be set so its midpoint is level with the soil surface. Planting too deep will smother the crown, while planting too shallow will expose the roots to drying out. Immediately after placing the roots vertically, the area should be pressed firmly and watered thoroughly to eliminate air pockets.
Essential Post-Planting Care
Once established, consistent care is required to support the development of a robust root system. Freshly set plants need frequent watering during the first week to ensure establishment. Strawberries generally require about one to one-and-a-half inches of water per week throughout the growing season. Drip irrigation is effective, especially when using plastic mulch, as it delivers water directly to the root zone while keeping the foliage dry, which reduces the risk of fungal diseases like Botrytis.
Mulching is a standard practice that provides multiple benefits: conserving moisture, suppressing weed growth, and protecting the plants through the winter. In the annual hill system, black plastic mulch serves this purpose. Home gardeners using matted rows should apply a layer of straw mulch for insulation. Fertilization should follow soil test recommendations, but generally, incorporate a third to a half of the total nitrogen and all the phosphate before planting.
Ongoing monitoring for common pests and diseases is necessary, especially for signs of spider mites or anthracnose. Appropriate controls should be applied before the onset of colder weather. For fall-planted, June-bearing varieties, removing spring blooms is not necessary, as the goal is a full harvest in the first season. Conversely, spring-planted, day-neutral varieties should have their first flower clusters removed to encourage root development over initial fruiting.