When it comes to growing a bumper crop of juicy strawberries, we usually focus on sunlight, soil, and watering. But there’s one secret ingredient to success that often gets overlooked: spacing! If you crowd your plants, they’ll fight for nutrients; if you spread them too thin, you’re wasting prime garden real estate.
Finding that “Goldilocks” distance is key. Here’s everything you need to know about giving your berries the elbow room they need.
Planting Strawberries in Garden Beds: Getting the Distance Right
If you’ve got the space in your backyard, growing strawberries in dedicated beds or as part of a companion planting setup is the way to go. Both methods work beautifully, as long as you respect the plants’ personal space. The exact distance really depends on the variety you’re planting—some like to spread out, while others stay pretty compact.
- Large-growing varieties: Aim for 12 to 18 inches apart.
- Smaller or compact varieties: 8 to 10 inches is usually plenty.
If you’re planting in traditional rows, you’ll want to leave about 24 inches (2 feet) between the rows themselves. This might seem like a lot, but trust me, your back will thank you! It gives you enough room to step between the plants for weeding and harvesting without accidentally crushing your hard-earned berries.
Pro Tip: If you’re using strawberries as a groundcover to create a lush “berry carpet,” you can plant them much closer together. In that case, aim for about 4 to 5 plants per square yard to get that dense, green look.
What to Keep in Mind for Companion Planting
Strawberries are total sun-worshippers. They don’t do well in the shade, so you have to be careful about who their neighbors are. If you plant them next to something tall, they’re going to be pretty unhappy.
Too much shade means your berries won’t develop that deep, sugary sweetness we all love. Avoid planting them directly behind “sun-blockers” like tomatoes, leeks, or bush beans, which can grow tall enough to cast a shadow over your strawberry patch.
Growing Strawberries on a Balcony: Pot and Planter Spacing
Don’t have a big backyard? No problem! A sunny, south-facing balcony or patio is a fantastic spot for a “container garden.” Even in pots, though, the plants need room to breathe. Here’s a quick guide for common balcony varieties:
- Climbing Strawberries: 10 to 12 inches apart (and don’t forget to give them a trellis or support!).
- Trailing/Hanging Strawberries: 10 to 12 inches apart.
- Alpine and Everbearing Strawberries: 6 to 8 inches apart.
- Large-fruited varieties: 10 to 12 inches apart.
