How to Grow a Strawberry Bush
- 1). Prepare a planting site. Strawberry bushes prefer full or partial sun, although they don't do well in areas that receive a large amount of afternoon sun. A location that receives sun in the morning and afternoon shade is ideal. They also tolerate shady conditions, according to the USDA Plant Guide.
- 2). Obtain a soil analysis from your local university extension. A soil analysis tells you the pH and nutrient status of your soil. Strawberry bushes grow well in soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5.
- 3). Improve your soil with organic matter. Although a strawberry bush tolerates poor soil conditions, it thrives in rich, fertile soil with good drainage. Organic matter increases drainage in clay soils and improves water retention in sandy soils, which makes it a versatile soil amendment.
- 4). Germinate seeds if you are not purchasing transplants. Strawberry bush seeds need to be stored in warm temperature for eight to 12 weeks, followed by eight to 16 weeks of cold stratification in the refrigerator. This process mimics the natural germination of strawberry bush seeds in their original habitat.
- 5). Transplant seedlings into pots once they are large enough to handle, and keep them in a greenhouse for their first winter, as recommended by the USDA Plant Guide.
- 6). Transplant strawberry bush plants after the threat of frost has passed, usually in late spring or early summer.
- 7). Water your strawberry bush regularly. In their natural habitat, the plants grow next to streams and prefer moist soil. Although the plants are drought-tolerant, they thrive with regular watering and moist soil conditions.
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