Strawberries (Fragaria): Complete Guide to June-Bearing, Everbearing, Day-Neutral & Alpine Types

Four Types, One Core Culture

June-bearing (‘Allstar’, ‘Earliglow’, ‘Sparkle’) – one large crop in June.
Everbearing (‘Tristar’, Berries Galore®) – spring and fall crops.
Day-neutral (‘Mara des Bois’) – flowers and fruits continuously regardless of day length.
Alpine (Fraises des bois) – tiny, intensely flavored berries all season; no runners.

Universal Planting Rules

• Plant dormant bareroot stock ASAP; store cool & moist up to 7 days if needed.
• Full sun (afternoon shade in hot areas); alpine types tolerate part shade.
• Well-drained, compost-rich soil, pH 6.0–6.5. Avoid verticillium-prone beds (tomato, potato, pepper, eggplant history).
• Set crown exactly at soil level—critical to prevent rot or desiccation.
• Mulch with straw to keep fruit clean, soil cool, and weeds down.

Type-Specific Management

Day-Neutral (‘Mara des Bois’)

Grow in matted rows: 12–24″ apart in 48″ rows; allow runners to fill 12–15″ width; thin to 6″ minimum. Renovate by replacing declining plants with rooted runners.

June-Bearing

Remove all flowers year one. After harvest year 2+: mow foliage 1″ above crown, narrow rows to 12″, thin plants to 3–5″, fertilize.

Everbearing & Alpine

Pinch flowers 6 weeks after planting. Alpine: divide crowns every 3 years in spring.

Containers & Hanging Baskets

Use quality potting mix; water when top inch dry; fertilize every 2–3 weeks until August. Overwinter at 30–45 °F in cold climates.

Winter Protection

After ground freezes, cover with 4–6″ straw, salt-marsh hay, or pine needles (lightly on crowns). Remove gradually at daffodil bloom.