Are Strawberries Perennials in California?

The addition of a clean layer of mulch also helps keep the plants protected from pests and diseases. Some commercial growers use plastic mulch to protect the fruit, but you can also use organic materials such as pine needles, straw, or hay. Strawberry plants need a constant moisture level to thrive, so watering overhead is not a good idea because this can cause fungal disease.

Strawberry plants are perennials, so they don’t need to be transplanted each year. If you’re planting strawberries in containers, remember to use double rows of weed-block cloth. You can space them six inches apart, and double rows should be placed a foot apart. Runners should be trimmed off to promote better fruiting. If you are growing strawberry plants in a garden bed, place the runners six to eight inches apart to ensure a good crop.

When growing strawberries, make sure to keep them well watered. Because they have shallow roots, they do best when watered regularly. Ideally, you should plant them every three to four years. When planting, be sure to plant them after the last frost has passed. Depending on your zone, this could be late winter or early spring. It is best to plant strawberry seeds in a sunny location where they will receive full sunlight. You should also ensure the soil is free from any previous crops of potatoes.