Growing juicy, sweet strawberries in your own backyard or garden in Georgia is easier than you think! With the right care and preparation, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of homegrown strawberries each summer. Here is a complete guide on how to successfully grow strawberries in Georgia.
Choosing the Best Strawberry Varieties for Georgia
With Georgia’s warm humid climate it’s important to select strawberry varieties that can thrive in these conditions. The most recommended varieties for Georgia include
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Chandler – Vigorous grower with large, firm, sweet berries. Tends to tolerate heat well.
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Camarosa – Bears lots of large, flavorful berries continuously. Heat tolerant.
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Sweet Charlie – Reliably produces very sweet, aromatic berries all season long.
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Earliglow – Cold hardy with great tasting berries. One of the most popular varieties.
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Albion – Everbearing variety good for summer and fall harvests. Disease resistant.
Look for varieties described as “heat tolerant,” “disease resistant,” or “everbearing” when choosing plants for Georgia. Avoid heirloom varieties, which are less suited to the climate.
When to Plant Strawberries in Georgia
Strawberries are planted in late fall in Georgia for best results. The ideal planting window is from late October through November. This gives plants time to establish themselves before the summer heat arrives.
For everbearing varieties that produce in summer and fall, some gardeners do a second smaller planting in early spring. But the main crop should always be planted in fall.
Preparing the Strawberry Bed
Pick a spot that gets full sun – at least 6-8 hours per day. Strawberries love sunshine!
The soil should be well-drained but able to hold moisture. Adding compost or other organic material can help improve the soil.
Beds should be raised 6-12 inches above ground level. This improves drainage and reduces risk of diseases.
Space plants 12-15 inches apart in all directions in the bed. They will fill out the bed as they grow.
Planting the Strawberry Plants
It’s best to purchase bare root or plug strawberry plants, rather than potted.
Prior to planting, soak bare root plants in water for 30 minutes to rehydrate.
Dig a hole for each plant wide and deep enough to accommodate the root system. Place plant in hole and fill with soil, covering the roots.
Gently press down soil and water thoroughly after planting.
Caring for Strawberry Plants
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Water 1-2 inches per week. Avoid watering flowers and leaves, target the roots.
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Use straw or pine needles as mulch to retain moisture and reduce weeds.
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Fertilize monthly with a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer or compost.
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Renew mulch and divide plants every 2-3 years to avoid overcrowding.
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Protect berries from birds with netting as needed.
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Remove old leaves, runners and weeds throughout season.
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Watch for pests like spider mites, aphids, slugs. Treat organically as needed.
Harvesting Strawberries
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Pick berries when fully red colored and firm. Leave caps on.
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Harvest every 2-3 days during peak season.
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Gently twist berries off, keeping stem and cap intact.
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Enjoy fresh or preserve by freezing, canning or making jams!
Growing Strawberries in Containers
Strawberries can also be grown successfully in containers for those with limited space.
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Use a 10-12” wide, 8-10” deep container with drainage holes.
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Use a quality potting mix, not garden soil.
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Plant 1-2 plants per container.
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Add slow release fertilizer beads to the soil.
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Water frequently, at least once per day. Strawberries in pots dry out faster.
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Follow other care guidelines above.
Common Problems and Solutions For Growing Strawberries
Frost damage – Protect plants with row cover fabric if hard freeze is forecasted after planting.
Weeds – Use pine straw or landscape fabric as mulch to suppress weeds. Hand pull any that get through.
Pests – Pick off insects by hand or use insecticidal soap. Avoid pesticides that will kill pollinators.
Diseases – Improve drainage and air flow. Remove and destroy infected plants.
Small berries – Can be caused by overcrowding or insufficient water.
Runners taking over – Clip runners to control spread if needed.
Enjoying the Harvest from Your Strawberry Patch
Growing strawberries in Georgia is a rewarding way to enjoy fresh, tasty berries straight from your backyard. With a little TLC and the right growing conditions, you can expect to harvest sweet, juicy strawberries from your own Georgia garden every summer! Freeze or can extras to enjoy all year long.
DIY: Planting a Strawberry Jar
Make edible ladybugs from strawberries and blackberries. Great for kids!
Planting Strawberries in Containers
- Strawberry Plants
- Pike Planting Mix
- Dr. Earth Root Zone
Georgia Grown Strawberries
How do strawberry plants grow in Georgia?
In the annual hill system, plants are set out in the fall and fruit the next spring. The planting is usually destroyed after the crop is harvested. This system works best in middle and south Georgia. The performance of strawberry varieties can be affected by climate and soil type. It is important to use varieties best suited to your area.
When should you plant strawberries in Georgia?
In middle and south Georgia (and during normal winters in north Georgia), strawberry plants can be set in the fall and harvested the next spring. This reduces the danger of diseases destroying your crop. The Chandler and Camarosa varieties are by far the best for the hill system, but other varieties will produce mediocre to fair results.
Do you need a fungicide to grow strawberries in Georgia?
You may need to apply a fungicide to prevent rots or an insecticide to control harmful insects. Your county extension agent is the person to call to find out which kinds to use. In middle and south Georgia (and during normal winters in north Georgia), strawberry plants can be set in the fall and harvested the next spring.
How do you grow a strawberry bed at UGA?
sent to your inbox with the latest UGA Extension news. Strawberry beds need a small area that receives full sun most or all day to get started. Strawberries will grow well in many types of soil, but the most desirable soil is fertile, medium-light in texture, well drained and with good moisture-holding capacity.