The small crown between a strawberry’s leaves and roots determines its planting depth. Get that detail right before thinking about the first bowl of berries.
Give strawberries sun and drainage, spreading roots below the soil while keeping the crown at the surface. Use the plant’s type—June-bearing or day-neutral—to decide how to handle first-season flowers and runners.
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Before you begin
Buy healthy plants suited to your climate. A crown buried too deeply may rot; roots left exposed can dry. Identify the short thick crown between leaves and roots before planting.
What you’ll need
- Healthy strawberry plants
- Sunny bed or draining container
- Small trowel
- Water source
- Suitable container mix if growing in pots
Optional tools & supplies
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Use what you already have. Choose supplies that fit your task, and check instructions and current prices.
Back to the Roots organic potting mix, 1 cu ftLowe’s · ProductFor suitable plants in draining containers. Not orchid bark, and not an amendment to automatically add to every garden bed.
Kings County Tools 17-in garden hoe and trowelLowe’s · ProductUse shallow strokes near plant roots and keep hands and feet clear of the edge.
NeverKink FLX 5/8-in x 50-ft garden hoseLowe’s · ProductChoose the length and fittings for your garden. Follow the hose’s drinking-water and temperature restrictions.
Corona Precision floral scissorsLowe’s · ProductFor light stems and herbs within the tool’s capacity; clean before and after use.
Let’s do this
Step by step
- 01
Choose the harvest pattern
June-bearing varieties give a concentrated seasonal crop. Day-neutral types can produce over a longer period in suitable conditions. Check the label so later flower and runner management matches the plant.
- 02
Prepare a clean, sunny space
Remove weeds and loosen draining soil before planting. Give each plant the spacing recommended for its type and growing system. Containers need drainage and enough root room.
- 03
Place the crown at the surface
Spread roots down into the planting hole without sharply bending them. Set the crown at the soil line, with roots covered and leaf bases above ground. Firm gently and water in.
- 04
Help the plant establish
Check moisture regularly, especially in pots. For new June-bearers, removing first-season flowers supports establishment. Day-neutral plants commonly have a shorter initial flower-removal period; follow local guidance.
- 05
Manage runners and protect the crop
Do not let runners turn a small planting into a crowded mat. Retain or remove them according to your chosen growing system. Keep fruit off wet soil with suitable clean mulch and inspect for slugs or damage.
Check the planting after the first watering
Soil can settle and change the crown’s position. Recheck it rather than assuming the depth stayed correct. A visible crown with covered roots is more useful than another application of fertilizer to a badly planted strawberry.
A quick final check
- Type identified
- Roots covered
- Crown at soil level
- Runner plan chosen
Common questions & sticking points
Why should I remove flowers from a new plant?
It can direct energy into establishment. The duration depends on the strawberry type; do not apply a whole-season rule to every plant.
Can strawberries grow in pots?
Yes. Use sun, drainage and sufficient root room, then plan for more frequent moisture checks and climate-appropriate winter protection.
Sources & further reading Optional
References used to check this guide. Follow your product’s own safety instructions where its design differs.
Last source check: September 24, 2026
