How to Grow Big Juicy Strawberries?

There’s nothing like a bowl of juicy strawberries in the morning, or perhaps you want to start making your own fruit smoothies. The only thing that makes these simple pleasures better is growing your own strawberries.

What if we told you that there is a way you could naturally increase your strawberry harvest? And what if there was a way to get more juicy strawberries while at it?

Well, you're about to discover a few ways to simultaneously improve your yield by volume and quality in this guide on how to grow big juicy strawberries.

From choosing the right varieties to using the best strawberry fertilizer, maximizing sun, and optimizing soil conditions, we’re here to get you set up for a juicy bountiful summer harvest.

First things first - give your crop the specialized nutrition it needs with our world-renowned strawberry fertilizer. The NPL ratio of 8-12-32 is perfect for this plant and it’s enriched with other essential secondary and micronutrients. See for yourself what a difference it can make!

How to Grow Big Juicy Strawberries: Tips to Maximize the Taste, Quality, and Quantity of Your Next Harvest

Let’s get right into how to grow juicy strawberries so you can feel more confident supporting your crop from seed to harvest, bringing out its full potential. First, pick the right variety.

Plant the Right Variety of Strawberries

There are three common types of strawberries planted in the United States.

The June bearing, ever-bearing and day-neutral.

While some people plant just one variety, others plant all three types.

The variety you choose should go well with your local climate and when you would like to get your harvest.

Strawberry varieties in the June bearer's categories yield fruit earlier in the warm climate, so you typically start harvesting in April.

However, for the maximum harvest, you want to go with the overbearing types such as the Quinault.

Proper Planting Techniques

Start by ensuring your soil is loose and enriched with organic compost to promote healthy root development. 

For June-bearing varieties, space plants about 18-24 inches apart, with rows spaced 3-4 feet apart. Ever-bearing and day-neutral strawberries can be spaced closer, about 12 inches apart. 

Plant the strawberries so that the roots are well covered but the crown remains just above the soil surface to prevent rotting. Use a ruler or a planting guide to maintain consistent spacing and depth across your strawberry bed.

Use the Right Fertilizers

Optimizing nutrient intake is critical for hydroponic strawberry cultivation, and selecting the right fertilizer can significantly enhance both the quality and quantity of your harvest. You need a balanced ratio of the big 3, which make up the NPK ratio:

• Nitrogen is crucial for vigorous leaf growth and the development of a strong root system, which is vital in hydroponic setups where root health directly influences water and nutrient uptake. 
• Potassium supports overall plant health, aiding in the function of photosynthesis, nutrient absorption, and enzyme activation, which collectively improve the size and sweetness of the berries. 
• Phosphorus contributes to the development of robust root systems and increases the number of flowers, directly boosting fruit production.

You also need certain secondary nutrients and micronutrients to fill in the gaps left by the big three, similar to how you need to take a multivitamin to fill in the gaps from your existing diet. We’ll talk about how our specialty fertilizer fits this need perfectly later on.

Watering Strategies

Aim for about one inch of water per week, more in extremely hot or dry weather. Water early in the morning to allow leaves to dry out during the day, reducing the risk of fungal diseases. 

Consider a drip irrigation system for efficient water usage that directly hydrates the roots without wetting the foliage. During rainy periods, reduce watering to prevent oversaturation and the potential for root diseases.

Provide Optimal Soil Conditions for Your Berries

Poor soil conditions will affect your yield and strawberry quality in the long run.

You want to ensure you use top-quality potting soil and the best fertilizer.

If your local soil is naturally alkaline, you want to use soil with well-aged compost.

In addition, when planting your strawberries, you should pay attention to how deep you place the seed or seedling.

You want the plant's crown to sit above the soil's surface.

Too deep and the roots will rot, and too high and the crop will wilt.

Here are a few other soil types you may encounter in your garden.

• Soil silt- Soil with silt is good soil for strawberry planting because it has good water retention.
• Clay soil- Clay soil takes time to warm up and retains heat longer. Because it is densely packed, the soil does not drain well, which may affect your strawberry yield.
• Sandy soil- this soil type is warm and cools quickly. It has the added advantage of good drainage and is less dense, so it's easy to work.
• Loam soil- Loam soil has good water retention and drains well in most areas. It is also easy to work with, so it is a common favorite for many gardeners.

You also want to plant your strawberries in soil that was previously growing peppers, tomatoes, eggplant and potatoes.

Give Your Strawberries Plenty of Sun

This tip may be one of the most underrated ones for strawberry growers.

Strawberries love the sun, so you want to plant them in a sunlit area.

The more sun they get, the juicier they get.

But, it is essential to ensure that sun exposure does not dry out the soil by keeping it moist.

Pollination Enhancement

Strawberries are self-fertile, but supporting pollination can increase your yield. 

Encourage pollinators by planting bee-friendly flowers nearby or by setting up a bee house. Avoid using pesticides that can harm these beneficial insects. 

For larger gardens, consider introducing bumblebees, which are more effective pollinators for strawberries than honeybees. 

Gently shaking the plants during flowering can help distribute pollen, especially in enclosed spaces like greenhouses.

Harvesting Tips

Harvest strawberries when they are fully red, with no white tops, typically early in the morning when they are still cool. This ensures the best flavor and extends shelf life. 

Cut the stem about a half-inch above the berry rather than pulling the berry off the plant to avoid damaging both the fruit and the plant. 

Regular picking encourages the plant to produce more fruit throughout the season.

Post-Harvest Care

Cool your strawberries as soon as possible to preserve their freshness. Store them in the refrigerator and wash only right before use to prevent spoiling. 

For long-term storage, strawberries can be frozen on a baking sheet and then transferred to airtight containers. This method prevents the berries from clumping together and allows for easy portioning. 

For those interested in preserving, strawberries can also be made into jams or syrups, which capture the peak sweetness and flavors of your harvest.

Supercharge Your Next Harvest With Greenway Biotech’s Strawberry Fertilizer!

Our premium blend is meticulously crafted to enhance the growth, flavor, and yield of your strawberries and other fruit-bearing plants. 

It features a finely tuned balance of nitrogen (8%), phosphorus (12%), and potassium (32%) for robust root development, strong plant structure, and vigorous fruit production. 

It’s also enriched with chelated micronutrients such as iron, zinc, manganese, and copper, ensuring optimal absorption and utilization by plants. These support chlorophyll production and enzyme activation, leading to healthier, more vibrant plants. 

We’ve even included boron and sodium molybdenum for better flower formation and fruit set, increasing your yield and improving the quality of each fruit. 

The use of chelated micronutrients also means that your strawberries will not only grow larger and taste better but will be packed with more nutritional value, making each bite healthier.

Suitable for use in soil, hydroponic, and foliar feeding systems, our Strawberry Fertilizer 8-12-32 is versatile and easy to use, making it ideal for both novice gardeners and experienced growers. 

We also have the other specialty fertilizer you need for any other crop, ranging from the best tomato fertilizer to the best fertilizer for peppers. Here are some of our most popular varieties:

• Best nitrogen fertilizer
• Best organic fertilizer for vegetables
• Best fertilizer for fruit trees
• Best fertilizer for onions
• Best fertilizer for apple trees
• Best water soluble fertilizer

No matter your needs, you can trust that our organic fertilizer here at Greenway Biotech will bring out the full potential of your crop. Don’t just take our word for it, though. Get our Strawberry Fertilizer and experience the difference in your next harvest.

Final Thoughts on How to Grow Sweet, Juicy Strawberries

Strawberries make for a great accompaniment to many meals. They also make for a healthy and delicious snack for the whole family. Planting giant juicy strawberries has never been this easy, thanks to our specially formulated strawberry fertilizer.

We have more tips on growing strawberries in raised beds specifically if you want more guidance on how to grow big juicy strawberries. You can also learn about the difference between organic vs synthetic fertilizer in our blog. We’re passionate about equipping you with the knowledge necessary to grow your best.

At this point, though, the only thing left to do as we wrap up our guide on how to grow sweet, juicy strawberries is set yourself up for success with the water soluble fertilizer or hydroponic nutrients your crop needs to reach its full genetic potential.