When To Fertilize Everbearing Strawberries

If you want a great harvest from your everbearing strawberries, knowing when to fertilize is the most important thing you can do. For optimal fruit production, feeding your plants at the right times makes all the difference between a few berries and a continuous, plentiful supply.

Everbearing strawberries are unique. Instead of one big spring harvest like June-bearing types, they produce fruit in flushes from late spring right through to fall. This constant effort requires steady nutrition. Get the feeding schedule wrong, and you might get lots of leaves but few berries, or worse, harm the plants. This guide gives you the simple, practical steps to fertilize correctly.

Your fertilization schedule revolves around three key periods: early spring, during the growing season, and late summer for next year’s buds. Let’s break down each one.

1. The Early Spring Feeding (The Growth Starter)

This is your first and most crucial application. Timing is everything. You want to fertilize just as the plants wake up and show new green growth, but before flower buds form. For most regions, this is early to mid-spring.

Look for signs: New, bright green leaves emerging from the crown.
Why then? This boost supports the initial surge of leaf and root growth, which powers the first wave of flowering.
What to use: A balanced, slow-release organic fertilizer is ideal. It feeds the plants gently over weeks.

2. The Growing Season Feedings (The Maintenance Doses)

After the spring feeding, switch to lighter, more frequent applications. Everbearing strawberries are working hard producing berries and new runners simultaneously.

Frequency: Every 3 to 4 weeks during the main growing season.
Method: Use a diluted liquid fertilizer. It acts quickly to support the next flush of flowers.
Key Rule: Stop fertilizing about 6-8 weeks before your first expected fall frost. Late feeding promotes tender new growth that winter frost will kill.

3. The Late Summer Feeding (The Future Investment)

This final feeding is often forgotten but is vital. After the heavy summer production, plants are tired. This meal isn’t for more fall fruit; it’s for the flower buds that will become next spring’s strawberries.

Timing: Apply in late summer, after the last major berry harvest but well before frost.
Purpose: It helps the plant store energy and develop robust buds for the following year, ensuring a strong start.

What Fertilizer Should You Use?

Choosing the right type is as important as timing. Everbearers need a balanced diet.

Understanding the N-P-K Ratio

Look for three numbers on the package, like 10-10-10 or 5-5-5. These represent Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K).

Nitrogen (N): For healthy leaf and runner growth. Too much gives you huge plants with no fruit.
Phosphorus (P): For strong root development and flower/fruit production.
Potassium (K): For overall plant health, disease resistance, and sweeter fruit.

A balanced ratio is perfect for everbearers. Organic options like compost, well-rotted manure, or commercial organic blends are excellent because they improve soil structure too.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply Fertilizer

Water First: Always water your strawberry plants thoroughly a day before fertilizing. This prevents root burn.
Measure Carefully: More is not better. Follow the package directions based on your planting area size. Over-fertilizing is a common mistake.
Apply Evenly: For granular fertilizer, sprinkle it around the base of each plant, keeping it about 2 inches away from the crown (the central stem). The crown is sensitive and can rot if fertilizer sits on it.
Work It In: Gently scratch the granules into the top inch of soil with a hand fork.
Water Deeply Again: Water well after application to help move the nutrients down to the roots.

Signs You’re Fertilizing Wrong

Your plants will tell you if the schedule or amount is off.

Too Much Fertilizer (Over-fertilization): Lush, dark green leaves with little to no flowering, burned leaf edges, or excessive runners at the expense of fruit.
Too Little Fertilizer (Under-fertilization): Pale green or yellowish leaves, stunted growth, small berries, and weak flower production. The plant just looks tired.

If you see signs of over-fertilization, stop feeding and leach the soil by watering deeply several times to flush out excess salts.

Special Tips for Containers and Raised Beds

Potted strawberries need a slightly different approach. Nutrients wash out faster with frequent watering.

Use a quality potting mix with slow-release fertilizer already blended in.
Supplement more often: Because they are contained, you may need to use a diluted liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season.
Don’t forget to feed: It’s easy for container plants to become nutrient-depleted quickly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here’s a quick list of pitfalls so you can steer clear of them.

Fertilizing at planting time: Never add strong fertilizer directly to the planting hole. It can damage new roots. Instead, mix compost into the soil beforehand.
Ignoring soil health: Fertilizer isn’t food; it’s more like vitamins. The real “food” comes from healthy soil full of organic matter. Add compost annually.
Feeding too late in fall: This encourages soft growth that won’t survive winter, wasting the plant’s energy.
Getting fertilizer on leaves: Always aim for the soil. Wash off any granules that land on the foliage to prevent leaf scorch.

FAQ: Feeding Everbearing Strawberries

Q: Can I use the same fertilizer for my everbearing strawberries as I do for my vegetable garden?
A: Often, yes. A balanced vegetable garden fertilizer (like a 10-10-10) works well. Just ensure you follow the specific rates and schedule for your berries, as they are more sensitive to over-feeding than some vegetables.

Q: Is chemical or organic fertilizer better for everbearing strawberries?
A: Both can work, but organic fertilizers (compost, fish emulsion, alfalfa meal) are generally safer and improve soil health over time. They release nutrients slowly, which matches the needs of everbearing strawberries well and reduces the risk of burning the plants.

Q: How often should I fertilize everbearing strawberry plants in pots?
A: Potted plants need feeding more frequently. After the initial spring dose, plan on a light feeding with a liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks throughout the growing season, stopping in early fall.

Q: Should I fertilize my strawberry plants in the winter?
A: No. Once the plants are dormant, they are not actively growing and cannot use nutrients. Fertilizing in winter is ineffective and can harm the environment as nutrients leach away.

Q: What’s the best natural fertilizer for strawberries?
A: Well-aged compost or manure top-dressed around plants is fantastic. Other great options include worm castings or a diluted fish and seaweed emulsion during the growing season for a quick boost.

Getting the timing right for feeding your everbearing strawberries is simple once you know the three-part schedule. Remember: a strong start in spring, consistent support through summer, and a thoughtful investment in late summer. Pair this with a balanced fertilizer and good watering practices, and your plants will reward you with a steady, sweet harvest for months. Paying attention to your plants’ signals is the final key—they’ll tell you exactly what they need.