Which strawberry plants are best for me?

The best strawberries for your area depend on a mix of climate, soil, and growing conditions. Start with your USDA Growing Zone — every variety is bred to thrive within certain temperature ranges, so knowing your zone helps you choose plants that are winter-hardy and productive where you live. Strawberries also grow best in well-drained, slightly acidic soil (pH 6.5–6.8) with plenty of sunlight and some natural wind protection.

If your area is prone to late frosts, early-season varieties may need extra bloom protection, while mid- and late-season types can be more forgiving. Your goals matter, too: early varieties give the first berries of the season, mid-season plants are reliable workhorses, and late-season varieties extend your harvest into summer. Finally, consider your site’s disease pressure — certain varieties offer resistance to red stele, powdery mildew, Verticillium wilt, or botrytis, which can make a big difference depending on your soil and climate.

What do I need to know before I grow?

Strawberries grow best in soil that’s been well-rested and hasn’t carried disease from previous crops. Because berries and certain vegetables can leave behind soil pathogens, it’s important to avoid planting strawberries in areas that recently grew strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, eggplants, or brambles. If your soil has hosted any of these, rotate with a clean, non-susceptible crop like oats or wheat for a few years to refresh the ground.

At Shively Farms, we never leave our strawberries in the same field for more than five years, and we always let the soil rest for at least three years before planting berries again. It keeps the fields healthy, the plants vigorous, and the harvests that much sweeter. .

Where do the strawberry plants ship from?

Our bare root strawberry plants ship directly to you from our farm in Manistee, Michigan.

How do I properly space my strawberry plants?

Strawberry plants should be spaced  12”–18” in the row and 3’–4’ between rows.

How much sunlight do strawberry plants need?

Strawberry plants like direct sun, ideally, for at least eight hours per day. However, if eight or more hours of direct sunlight is not possible, the absolute minimum is six hours per day.

When will my strawberry plant bear fruit?

June-bearing strawberry plants bear fruit one year after planting.

Day-neutral or Everbearing strawberry plants begin bearing fruit 12–14 weeks after planting, depending on conditions.

What kind of strawberry plants are there?

Strawberry plants come in a few different forms, and choosing the right type makes a big difference in how well your patch takes off. Most home gardeners and field growers like us use “bare-root” plants — these are dormant plants grown in nursery beds and shipped without soil. They wake up quickly once planted and are the most affordable way to start a strawberry patch.

You’ll also see “plug plants,” which are small rooted starts grown in clean trays. Plugs transplant very easily and tend to grow more uniformly, making them a great choice for planting on black plastic mulch.

Then there are “tray plants,” which are larger, multi-crown plants designed for soilless or controlled growing systems. They aren’t recommended for field soil, so most outdoor growers stick to bare-root or plugs.