June vs everbearing
June-bearers give one big flush for jam; everbearers give smaller pickings all season. Grow to your goal.
Sweet berries a step from the door — plant once and, cared for, a strawberry bed feeds you for years.
June-bearers give one big flush for jam; everbearers give smaller pickings all season. Grow to your goal.
Set plants so the crown sits at soil level — buried crowns rot, exposed roots dry out. This detail matters.
Full sun and a straw mulch to keep berries off the soil, hold moisture, and cut down on rot and slugs.
Peg a few runners to make new plants, and replace tired 3-year-old crowns to keep the bed cropping heavily.
For berries plus the whole backyard food plan, The most complete beginner's manual we've found is The Self-Sufficient Backyard — Ron & Johanna Melchiore's 40 years off-grid distilled into food, water, power and 75+ DIY projects. Our honest take:
Garden beds, rainwater sizing, pantry days-of-supply and the weekly rhythm — free spreadsheet, straight to your inbox.