Fruit (perennial)
Strawberry
Fragaria × ananassa
Shallow-rooted and mat-forming — mulch and runner management matter more than feeding for a productive bed.
| Light | Full sun, 6-8 hours |
|---|---|
| Water | Consistent; shallow roots dry out fast |
| Spacing | 30-45 cm |
| Zones | Zones 3-10 depending on variety |
| Harvest | Year two onward for best yield; June-bearing crop in early summer |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Manage the runners
Strawberry plants send out runners that root and form new plants. Left unchecked, a bed becomes overcrowded within two seasons and yield per plant drops; snip most runners unless you are deliberately propagating.
Mulch to keep fruit clean
Straw mulch under ripening fruit prevents rot from soil contact and is the origin of the plant's common name.
More plant profiles
- TomatoThe most-grown vegetable in home gardens, and the one most improved by consistent water and a cage or stake set at planting time.
- LettuceA fast, forgiving crop that bolts to seed in heat, so timing and shade matter more than soil fertility.
- BasilThe most temperature-sensitive common herb — it sulks below 10°C and needs regular pinching to stay leafy rather than flowering.