When To Plant Strawberries In Louisiana

If you’re a gardener in Louisiana, knowing when to plant strawberries is the first step to a succesful harvest. Getting the timing right is crucial for a strong crop, and this guide will cover the best planting times for your area.

Strawberries are a fantastic crop for Louisiana, but our unique climate means you can’t just follow any national calendar. The goal is to get plants established in the fall so they develop strong roots over the winter, leading to a bountiful spring berry harvest. Let’s break down the schedule and methods that work best here.

For nearly all of Louisiana, the primary strawberry planting window is from mid-October through mid-November. This is the golden rule for getting the best results.

Planting in fall allows the strawberry plants to focus on root growth during the cooler months. When spring arrives, these well-established plants can pour their energy into producing flowers and fruit instead of just trying to survive. Missing this window and planting in late winter or spring often leads to small, disappointing yields because the plants are playing catch-up.

Why Fall Planting is Non-Negotiable

The science is simple. Strawberries need a period of cooler temperatures to initiate flower buds. This process is called vernalization. By planting in October or November, you give the plants time to settle in and then experience the natural chill of a Louisiana winter. This triggers them to prepare for a major fruiting season when days lengthen and warm up.

If you plant to late, the plants might not get enough chill hours, resulting in fewer flowers. They’ll also be more susceptible to heat stress as our spring quickly turns to summer.

Regional Timing Variations in Louisiana

While mid-October to mid-November is the standard, you should fine-tune based on your specific location.

North Louisiana (Shreveport, Monroe, Ruston): Aim for the earlier side of the window, from early to late October. Frosts arrive earlier here, so getting plants in the ground promptly gives them more time to establish roots before the coldest weather.
Central & Florida Parishes (Baton Rouge, Alexandria, Hammond): The classic mid-October to mid-November timeframe is perfect for these areas.
South Louisiana (Lafayette, Lake Charles, New Orleans): You can plant on the later side, from late October through mid-November. Your milder fall allows for a slightly later start, but don’t procrastinate past Thanksgiving.

Choosing the Right Strawberry Varieties

Not all strawberries are created equal for our climate. You want “short-day” or “June-bearing” varieties, which are specifically bred to fruit in our spring conditions. Avoid “everbearing” types for main cropping, as they struggle with our summer heat.

Camarosa: An early producer with large, firm fruit. It’s a top commercial choice and great for home gardens.
Chandler: Very popular for its excellent flavor and good yield. It’s a bit more susceptible to disease but worth the extra care for its taste.
Festival: A reliable, high-yielding variety with good disease resistance and solid flavor.
Sweet Charlie: Known for its exceptional sweetness and early ripening. A fantastic choice if flavor is your top priority.

Most local nurseries will carry these adapted varieties as bare-root plants or plugs right at planting time. It’s best to source them locally to ensure they’re acclimated.

Step-by-Step Planting Guide

Follow these steps for planting success.

Prepare the Site: Choose a location that gets full sun—at least 6-8 hours daily. Strawberries need excellant drainage, so raised beds are highly recommended. Work in 3-4 inches of compost or well-rotted manure into the soil to improve fertility and texture.
Plant Correctly: Space plants about 12-18 inches apart in rows that are 3-4 feet apart. Dig a hole wide enough to spread the roots out. The critical part is planting at the right depth: the crown (where the leaves meet the roots) must be level with the soil surface. Burying the crown will cause rot, and planting to high will dry out the roots.
Water and Mulch: Water the plants thoroughly immediately after planting. Then, apply a generous layer of pine straw mulch. This is essential in Louisiana to suppress weeds, retain soil moisture, and most importantly, keep the developing fruit clean and off the damp soil.
Initial Care: Water regularly if fall is dry, keeping the soil consistently moist but not soggy. You do not need to fertilize heavily at planting if you amended the soil. A light application of a balanced fertilizer a few weeks after planting is sufficient.

Managing Plants Through Winter and Spring

Your fall-planted strawberries will seem to just sit there over winter. That’s okay! They’re growing roots. Water during extended dry spells in winter. In late February or early March, as new growth begins, apply a balanced fertilizer to support leaf and flower production.

Keep an eye out for runners (long stems with new plantlets). For June-bearing varieties grown in matted rows, you can allow some runners to root to fill in the bed. For maximum berry size, however, its often better to pinch off most runners so the mother plant focuses on fruit.

Common Challenges and Solutions

Louisiana gardeners face a few specific issues.

Diseases: Fungal diseases like anthracnose and leaf spot are common in our humidity. Prevent them by choosing resistant varieties, ensuring good air circulation, using mulch, and avoiding overhead watering. Rotate your strawberry patch to a new location every 2-3 years.
Pests: Watch for slugs, snails, and spider mites. Birds will also want your berries. Netting is the most effective way to protect ripening fruit from birds.
Weather: A late frost can damage early spring blossoms. Have row cover fabric ready to drape over plants if a frost is forecasted after blooming begins.

Harvesting Your Bounty

Your patience pays off! Harvest typically begins in March in South Louisiana and April in the north, lasting for 4-6 weeks. Pick berries when they are fully red, including the tip. Harvest every other day during peak season, and pick in the cool of the morning for the firmest fruit. Gently twist the stem rather than pulling on the berry itself.

FAQ: Strawberry Planting in Louisiana

Can I plant strawberry seeds instead of plants?
No, for a harvestable crop, you should always start with bare-root or plug plants. Growing from seed takes much to long and is unreliable for getting a good harvest in our climate.

What if I missed the fall planting window?
You can sometimes find potted plants in spring, but your harvest will be very small. It’s better to wait until next fall and prepare your bed in the meantime. You could try a few everbearing plants in containers for a small treat, but manage your expectations.

How long do strawberry plants last?
In Louisiana, strawberries are treated as annuals or over-wintered annuals. You plant in fall, harvest in spring, and then usually remove the plants after harvest as the summer heat declines their health and disease pressure increases. Replant fresh, healthy plants each fall for the best results.

Can I grow strawberries in containers?
Absolutely. Use a large pot or strawberry jar with excellent drainage. Plant with a quality potting mix, and be vigilant about watering, as containers dry out faster. The same fall planting timeline applies.

By following this schedule and tips, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying sweet, homegrown strawberries. Remember, the key is getting those plants in the ground during that crucial fall period for a rewarding spring harvest.