The recommended spacing for planting strawberry plants varies depending on the type of strawberry and your gardening goals, but general guidelines are as follows:
- June-bearing strawberries: Space plants about 18 inches (45 cm) apart within rows, with rows 30-36 inches (75-90 cm) apart. This allows room for runners and healthy growth
- Everbearing strawberries: Space plants approximately 12 inches (30 cm) apart, with similar row spacing. These plants are more compact and produce fruit throughout the season
- Day-neutral strawberries: Space about 10-12 inches (25-30 cm) apart. They also produce fruit throughout the growing season and have a compact habit
For tighter spacing to fill beds quickly and get earlier harvests, plants can be placed as close as 8 inches apart, but this may reduce berry size and increase disease risk due to crowding
. Conversely, planting farther apart (2 to 3 feet) allows runners to fill in the space over time, which is more economical but requires patience
. In raised beds, a common approach is to plant strawberries in rows spaced 18-24 inches apart, with plants spaced according to their variety (10-18 inches), thinning runners as needed to maintain good air circulation and plant health
. Summary table:
Strawberry Type| Plant Spacing (inches)| Row Spacing (inches)| Notes
---|---|---|---
June-bearing| 18| 30-36| Allows room for runners and growth
Everbearing| 12| 30-36| More compact, fruit throughout season
Day-neutral| 10-12| 18-24| Compact, continuous fruiting
Close spacing option| 8| Varies| Faster bed fill, smaller berries, more
disease risk
Proper spacing ensures good air circulation, reduces disease risk, and allows plants to access nutrients and sunlight for a bountiful harvest
