When Should You Fertilize Strawberries

Knowing when should you fertilize strawberries is the key to a healthy, productive patch. Get the timing wrong, and you might end up with lots of leaves but few berries, or even harm your plants. This guide will walk you through the simple schedule that gives your strawberries exactly what they need, right when they need it.

Strawberries are not heavy feeders, but they do have specific nutritional demands that change with the seasons. Feeding them properly supports strong roots, lush growth, and most importantly, those sweet, juicy fruits. Let’s break down the optimal fertilization plan for both new and established berry plants.

This is the core schedule you should follow for most common strawberry types, like June-bearing and everbearing. The main feeding times are at planting, after harvest, and in late fall for a boost before winter.

The Best Times to Feed Your Strawberry Plants

Follow this annual timeline for the best results. It covers the critical windows for applying fertilizer.

At Planting: This is your first and most important feeding. Mix a balanced, slow-release fertilizer into the soil at the time you plant your strawberries. It gives them a gentle, steady supply of nutrients as they establish.
After Harvest (For June-Bearers): Right after you finish picking your summer crop, feed your plants. This helps them recover and produce strong runners and buds for next year’s fruit.
Late Summer / Early Fall (For Everbearers & Day-Neutral): Since these types produce berries into fall, a light feeding in late August can support continued production. Avoid feeding them too late in fall, however.
Early Spring (A Light Touch): A very light application of a balanced fertilizer as growth resumes can be helpful, especially if your soil is poor. But be cautious—too much spring nitrogen leads to leafy plants with few flowers.

What Type of Fertilizer Should You Use?

Choosing the right food is just as important as the timing. Strawberries generally prefer a balanced blend or one slightly higher in phosphorus.

NPK Ratio: Look for a balanced fertilizer like a 10-10-10 or one with a higher middle number (phosphorus), such as 5-10-10. Phosphorus promotes good root and flower development.
Organic Options: Well-composted manure, alfalfa meal, or a balanced organic fertilizer blend are excellent choices. They feed the soil as well as the plant.
Slow-Release vs. Liquid: Granular, slow-release fertilizers are great for the main annual feedings. Liquid fertilizers, like fish emulsion, can be used for a quick mid-season boost if needed, but are not usually necessary.

Step-by-Step: How to Fertilize Properly

How you apply the fertilizer matters. Doing it wrong can burn the plants or waste nutrients.

Test Your Soil First: If possible, a simple soil test tells you exactly what your patch needs. It prevents over-fertilizing, which is a common mistake.
Keep it Off the Crowns: Always apply granular fertilizer around the base of the plant, keeping it a few inches away from the central crown. Fertilizer touching the crown can cause rot or burn.
Water it In Thoroughly: After applying any dry fertilizer, water the area deeply. This helps dissolve the nutrients and carries them down to the root zone where they’re needed.
Follow Label Rates: More is not better! Always follow the recommended application rates on the fertilizer package. It’s easy to give them to much.

Special Care for New Strawberry Plants

Your first-year plants have different needs. The goal is to establish strong roots and leaves, not necessarily fruit.

At planting, use that balanced slow-release fertilizer mixed into the soil. For June-bearing strawberries, you should actually remove the first-year flowers. This directs all the plant’s energy into growing sturdy, which leads to a much bigger harvest the following year. Everbearing types can be allowed to produce their fall crop.

Caring for Established Strawberry Beds

Beds in their second year and beyond need a focus on renewal. The post-harvest feeding is absolutely critical for them.

After you’ve picked the last berry, mow or cut back the leaves (avoiding the crowns), weed thoroughly, and then apply your balanced fertilizer. This fuels the growth of new leaves and the formation of next year’s flower buds during the late summer. A light top-dressing with compost in the fall provides extra protection and nutrients.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Steer clear of these errors to keep your plants thriving.

Over-Fertilizing: This is the number one error. Excess nitrogen, especially in spring, creates huge plants with little to no fruit. It can also burn the plants.
Fertilizing Too Late in Fall: Late feeding promotes tender new growth that will be killed by frost, weakening the plant. Your last feeding should be at least 4-6 weeks before your first expected frost.
Using the Wrong Formula: A lawn fertilizer high in nitrogen (like 20-5-5) is terrible for strawberries. It will give you a beautiful green patch with no berries.
Ignoring Soil Health: Fertilizer isn’t a substitute for good soil. Adding compost annually improves soil structure, moisture retention, and provides trace nutrients naturally.

Signs Your Strawberries Need Food (or Less of It)

Your plants will tell you if the fertilization schedule is working.

Signs of Nutrient Deficiency: Pale green or yellowish leaves, especially older ones; stunted growth; small fruit; and few runners. These can indicate a lack of nitrogen or other key elements.

Signs of Too Much Fertilizer: Extremely dark green, lush foliage with few or no flowers; burned leaf edges; or excessive runner production at the expense of fruit. If you see this, hold off on feeding and leach the soil with extra water.

Seasonal Fertilizer Checklist

Early Spring: Light application only if needed. Focus on weeding and clearing winter mulch once growth starts.
Planting Time: Incorporate balanced, slow-release fertilizer into the soil.
Late Spring/Summer: For everbearers, a light feeding may support fruit set. For June-bearers, focus on watering during fruiting.
After Harvest (June-Bearers): Mow leaves, weed, and apply main fertilizer dose.
Late Fall: Apply a thin layer of compost as a protective mulch after the ground has chilled.

FAQ: Your Strawberry Fertilizer Questions Answered

Is Miracle-Gro good for strawberries?

Yes, a balanced, all-purpose Miracle-Gro (like their 10-10-10) can be used according to the schedule above. Just be sure to follow the instructions carefully to avoid over-application.

Can I use tomato fertilizer on strawberries?

It’s not ideal. Tomato fertilizers are often higher in potassium to support fruit development, but they may lack the balanced nutrition strawberries prefer throughout their cycle. A dedicated berry or balanced fertilizer is a safer bet.

How often do you fertilize strawberry pots?

Potted strawberries need feeding more often because nutrients leach out with frequent watering. Use a half-strength liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during the growing season, stopping in late summer.

What is the best natural fertilizer for strawberries?

Composted manure is an excellent natural choice. Other great options include alfalfa meal, bone meal (for phosphorus), and kelp meal (for trace minerals). A simple top-dressing of finished compost each year works wonders to.

By sticking to the simple schedule of feeding at planting, after harvest, and with compost in fall, you provide a perfect foundation. Paying attention to your plants’ signals and avoiding over-fertilization will ensure your strawberry patch remains healthy and productive for seasons to come. The reward is a plentiful harvest of sweet, home-grown berries that taste better than anything you can buy.