There should also be good “air drainage” below the planting site. A dense hedge, windbreak or other obstruction can hinder the flow of cold air down the slope. Aspect is important. A northerly aspect is better for early fruit, and a southerly aspect for late crop. A north-easterly aspect is the best.

Protect the plot from hot northerly winds by planting a windbreak on the north or north-west boundaries. Northerlies during the cropping season can reduce the size of fruit and can even cause wilting and death of the plants.

Soil Preparation

Strawberries do best on a soil well supplied with organic matter. Heavy soils seem to give the best results if properly prepared and used. The soil must be well prepared and free from weeds at planting time.
Do not use lime on alkaline soils; for strawberries the Ph of the soil should be in the range of 5.5–6.5.

Preparation of lands

One of the main factors limiting yield is root rots. These rots develop under wet conditions, so provide adequate drainage, particularly on heavier soils. Use a fertiliser such as chicken/cow manure and work the soil into a fine tilth, ready for planting.

Time of planting

All prerequisites for obtaining an optimum yield, such as soil preparation, raised beds, use of mulch, and use of certified runners, are important. However, the benefits can be lost if the runners are planted at the wrong time.
There are two planting times, autumn-winter and summer. Most growers plant their runners in autumn-winter.
Planting made in mid-May will yield better than those planted late winter. The earliest plantings in autumn-winter give the highest yields.

Plant material and planting method

Buy certified plants grown on fumigated or clean soil.
Plant the runners as soon as possible after arrival and do not keep them out of the ground for any longer than needed. If the runners have to be held at all, make certain that they are not sweating in the bags.

Any fungi which may be present will develop quickly when the plants sweat, and will cause casualties in the field.
Water the individual plants in at planting time. Do not expose roots to the sun; keep the plants under wet bags while planting.

Runners may be held by placing them upright in a case and covering the roots with sand. They also maybe held in the field, or placed in a cool store at 0° to 2°C. Do not put runners back into cool storage once they are thawed out. Thaw runners out slowly before planting. Do not plant frozen runners. Plant the runners in two rows, 300 mm apart and the plants in the row 450 mm apart.

Set the plants with the base of the crown at soil level and press the soil firmly against the roots. Crown rot could develop if the plants are planted too deeply and growth may be retarded if they are too high.

Weed control

Mulch gives the best weed control on raised beds. Weeds on the uncovered parts in between the beds can be sprayed with a weedicide whenever they become troublesome. Do not allow the spray or spray drift to touch the strawberry plants.

Irrigation

Apply the water slowly, preferably in the morning, if overhead sprinklers are used on mulched beds.

However, most of the water will be wasted as it runs off with this method. Try and get the water to the roots of the plant, keep roots moist but not wet. Do not water strawberries more than twice a week.