Strawberry care guide: when & how to prune, fertilize and spray

When: from 2 weeks before to 4 weeks after the last spring frost.

• zones 6–7: about Apr 1 – May 13
• zones 8–10: about Feb 11 – Mar 25

Strawberry trees need very little pruning. Late winter to early spring, after the winter flowers fade, is best: cuts heal quickly as growth starts, and you avoid removing next season's flower buds.

1. Remove dead, damaged or diseased branches back to healthy wood.
2. Remove suckers from the base and crossing or rubbing branches.
3. To grow it as a small tree, gradually remove lower branches over a few years to show off the peeling bark. Never take more than a quarter of the canopy in one year.
4. To keep it as a dense shrub or hedge, lightly trim the outer growth. Avoid hard cuts into old wood, which regrow slowly.
5. Disinfect pruners between cuts if you're removing diseased wood.

Tools: Bypass pruners, Loppers, Pruning saw

When: from the last spring frost to 3 weeks after.

• zones 6–7: about Apr 15 – May 6
• zones 8–10: about Feb 25 – Mar 18

Strawberry trees grow well in poor soil. A single light feeding in spring is plenty, and too much fertilizer makes weak, disease-prone growth.

1. Scatter an acid-loving or balanced organic fertilizer at half the label rate around the drip line, or just top-dress with compost.
2. Water it in. Skip feeding entirely for established, healthy plants.

What to use: 🌿 Organic acid-loving plant food (e.g. Espoma Holly-tone 4-3-4) · 🌿 Balanced organic granular fertilizer (e.g. Espoma Plant-tone 5-3-3) · 🌿 Finished compost or composted manure

When: 2–6 weeks after the last spring frost.

• zones 6–7: about Apr 29 – May 27
• zones 8–10: about Mar 11 – Apr 8

Mulch keeps roots cool and moist, suppresses weeds and slowly feeds the soil. Applying it after the soil warms lets roots wake up first.

1. Spread 2–3 in (5–7 cm) of mulch over the root zone.
2. Keep mulch 2–3 in (5–7 cm) away from stems and trunks. Mulch piled against bark invites rot and rodents.
3. Don't go deeper than 3 in (7 cm) in total. Too much mulch suffocates roots.

What to use: 🌿 Shredded hardwood or pine bark mulch

When: 3–7 weeks after the first fall frost.

• zones 6–7: about Nov 15 – Dec 13

Strawberry trees can be damaged around 10–15°F (−12 to −9°C), especially young plants and in cold, drying winds.

1. Mulch the root zone 3–4 in (8–10 cm) deep.
2. For young plants, cover with frost cloth on nights forecast below 15°F (−9°C).
3. Plant in a spot sheltered from cold winter winds if possible.

When: 8–10 weeks after the last spring frost, then every 4 weeks (3 times a season).

• zones 6–7: about Jun 10–24
• zones 8–10: about Apr 22 – May 6

Deep roots form in the first two summers. After that the plant needs little water.

1. For young plants, water deeply about once a week in hot, dry weather. Let the top few inches dry out between waterings.
2. Established plants: water only during long droughts. Overwatering causes root rot.

When: from 2 weeks before to 6 weeks after the first fall frost.

• zones 6–7: about Oct 11 – Dec 6
• zones 8–10: about Nov 17 – Jan 12

Fruit ripens in late fall and winter, about a year after flowering. It's sweet and slightly gritty, best for jams, jellies and liqueurs (such as Portuguese medronho).

1. Pick fruit when it's deep red and slightly soft. Orange or yellow fruit isn't ripe.
2. Gather fallen ripe fruit promptly to avoid wasps and mess on paths.
3. Eat in moderation when fresh. Very ripe fruit can ferment slightly.

When: from the first fall frost to 4 weeks after.

• zones 6–7: about Oct 25 – Nov 22
• zones 8–10: about Dec 1–29

Spores of leaf spot overwinter on fallen leaves and splash back up in spring. Removing them is the single best way to prevent next year's outbreak.

1. Rake up and remove fallen leaves and dropped fruit from under the plant.
2. Bag diseased material or put it in the trash. Don't compost it unless your pile gets hot (140°F/60°C+).
3. Cut out any dead or obviously diseased twigs you can see.

Tools: Rake, Bypass pruners