Garden PlannerEvidence-aware. Garden with confidence.
Entire healthy mature strawberry plant in a real garden bed, showing growth habit and scale.Primary identification image. 15–25 cm tall, 30–45 cm wide at maturity.

Strawberry

Fragaria × ananassa (Duchesne ex Weston) Duchesne ex Rozier

Also called: Garden strawberry

Family
Rosaceae
Season
Perennial hardy perennial (replace every 3–4 years)
Best grown in
Portland, Oregon

A low perennial fruit planted from crowns or runners; productive for three years, then replaced, ideally in a different bed.

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Life cycle & growth stages

  1. 1. CrownPlant bare-root crowns with the crown at soil level.
  2. 2. EstablishmentRemove first-year flowers on spring plantings.
  3. 3. FloweringWhite flowers in spring; bees improve fruit shape.
  4. 4. Developing fruitGreen fruit swells over 3–4 weeks; mulch beneath.
  5. 5. Harvest readyFully red.
  6. 6. RunnersPin a few for replacements; cut the rest.
  7. 7. RenewalReplace plants after 3–4 years.

Growth stages are ordered chronologically; timing varies with cultivar, temperature, light and care.

Planting calendar for Portland, Oregon

transplant 4 weeks before to 2 weeks after last frost; 60–90 days to maturity from planting. Windows are derived from the region's average frost dates (last Apr 5, first Nov 5) and are estimates until you confirm your own dates in the calendar.

StrawberryFragaria × ananassa
PlantStart indoorsDirect sowAutumn sowTransplantTendHarvest
Strawberry——Sep 10–Oct 8 (estimate)Mar 8–Apr 19 (estimate)Apr 19–May 7 (estimate)May 7–Aug 15 (estimate)
  • Transplant outdoors: Mar 8 – Apr 19
  • Tend and monitor: Apr 19 – May 7
  • Harvest: May 7 – Aug 15
  • Autumn sowing: Sep 10 – Oct 8

Spacing & support

In-row 30–45 cm; rows 60–90 cm. Planner footprint: 1 cell of 30 cm.

Side-profile diagram of mature strawberry: canopy 15–25 cm tall, 30–45 cm wide, shallow root zone, support and harvest-access envelope.

Soil & water

Soil
Fertile, well-drained, slightly acid loam
pH
5.5–6.5
Fertility
moderate
Water
Steady water while fruiting; avoid wetting fruit.
Frost
hardy; tolerates frost

Support & training

No support structure needed.

Strawberry mid-season before harvest, showing branching, vining, rosette or upright habit and space occupied.

Harvest signs

  • Fully red to the tip
  • Pick with the green cap attached
  • Harvest every 2 days in season
Strawberry at harvest readiness, showing the visual cues: fully red to the tip; pick with the green cap attached.

Common problems

Pests: slugs, birds, spotted wing drosophila, aphids, vine weevil

Diseases: grey mould (Botrytis), Verticillium wilt, powdery mildew

Appearance alone is not a diagnosis; confirm with a regional extension guide.

Side-by-side: healthy strawberry leaf or fruit and an example of grey mould.

Container growing

  • Minimum 5 L (20 cm deep)
  • Use quality potting mix and water more frequently
  • Hanging baskets, towers or 5 L pots per plant.
Mature strawberry in a correctly sized container (5 L or more) with drainage visible.

Companion overview

10 reviewed relationship records (evidence: low).

Supported or conditional

Sweet alyssum

Avoid or separate

Potato, Tomato

Traditional claims only: Borage, Chives, Spinach.

4 popular pairings reviewed with no verified relationship.

Full companion profile

Crop rotation

Avoid planting strawberry or other rose family crops in the same spot for 3 years. Rotation is about previous seasons, not about live neighbours.

Year 1Year 2Year 3RosaceaeOther familyOther familyback after 3+ years

Shared risks in Rosaceae: grey mould (Botrytis), Verticillium wilt, spotted wing drosophila.

Crop rotation hub

Sources, reviewer & update

Sources

Reviewer: Garden Planner editorial team (pending independent horticultural review)

Last reviewed: August 15, 2026 · version 1

Found an error or have feedback? Let us know.

Growing strawberry

Strawberries are planted as bare-root crowns in early spring or as potted runners in late summer, with the crown exactly at soil level. June-bearers give one large crop; everbearers crop lightly through the season. Remove flowers in the first spring of spring-planted crowns so plants establish.

Strawberry planting material (crown, set, clove, slip or tuber) beside a ruler or coin for scale.
Strawberry seedling at cotyledon and first-true-leaf stage, in soil, distinguishable from common weeds.
Strawberry mid-season before harvest, showing branching, vining, rosette or upright habit and space occupied.

Plants are shallow-rooted, need steady water while fruiting, and spread by runners; pin a few to make replacements and cut the rest. Straw or mulch under fruit prevents rot and slugs. Birds, slugs and spotted wing drosophila are the main pests; grey mould takes fruit in wet weather.

Two or more mature strawberry plants with a tape measure showing in-row spacing (30–45 cm).
Strawberry flower detail or bolting stage.
Immature fruit of strawberry developing on the plant.

Strawberries share Verticillium wilt with tomato, potato and pepper, so do not plant them where nightshades grew in the last three years. Traditional pairings with borage and alyssum have no controlled evidence, though both flowers are visited by pollinators.

Edible parts and safety

Edible: fruit.

Hands or tool harvesting strawberry correctly (cut, pull, twist or pick) without damaging the plant.

Pests and diseases

Common pests: slugs, birds, spotted wing drosophila, aphids, vine weevil. Common diseases: grey mould (Botrytis), Verticillium wilt, powdery mildew. These vary by region; a photograph is an example, not a diagnosis. See the pest and disease guides and your local extension service.

slugs on strawberry, with a wider damage-context view.

Timeline

Season timeline for strawberry: sowing, transplanting, flowering, harvest and bed occupancy aligned to frost dates.Text alternative: Transplant outdoors Mar 8–Apr 19; Tend and monitor Apr 19–May 7; Harvest May 7–Aug 15; Autumn sowing Sep 10–Oct 8.

Related plants

See also: Rosaceae family page · crop rotation · regional calendar · guides

Our Methodology & Sources

We synthesize peer-reviewed research, university extension publications, and trusted horticulture resources. Our evidence levels help you understand how strong the science is behind the guidance.

Evidence tiers

Supported evidenceConsistent results from multiple robust studies
Traditional claimHistorical use reported, limited scientific support
Context dependentMixed or variable results across conditions
No verified relationshipNo reliable evidence identified

Primary source types

  • Peer-reviewed journal articles
  • University extension publications
  • Government & research institute reports
  • Systematic reviews & meta-analyses

Last updated

August 24, 2026

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