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How to Start a Strawberry Patch From Bare-Root Plants

If you’re looking to start a new strawberry patch, bare-root plants are a great way to go. They’re cost-effective, easy to establish, and come in a much wider variety than potted strawberries do.

You can also plant them much earlier in the season, giving your garden a head start.

Here’s your guide to planting bare-root strawberries for big yields.

Step 1: Soak the roots.

Soak the roots in a few inches of liquid kelp solution (following the recommended dilution on the bottle) for no more than 30 minutes. Try to keep the crowns above the solution so they’re less likely to rot.

Step 2: Prepare the soil.

Strawberry plants don’t like to sit in compacted soil that stays too wet, as it can lead to black root rot. So if your soil is on the heavier side, be sure to amend it with ingredients that’ll provide proper drainage.

Step 3: Dig your holes at the right depth and spacing.

You want to make the hole deep enough so that the roots hang straight, without bending one way or another.

Step 4: Plant your strawberries.

Strawberries are fussy about being too deep or too shallow, so when planting, make sure that only the roots and the base of the crown (a short, brown, thickened stem above the root mass) are covered with soil.

Pat the soil firmly to eliminate air pockets and ensure the roots have good contact with the soil, then water thoroughly. If the soil settles too much and the roots become exposed, cover them with more soil so they don’t dry out.

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