Growing Strawberries in December: Tips and Advice for Winter Planting

Strawberries are one of the most popular and rewarding fruits to grow in the garden, and the good news is that you can start planting them as early as December. While it may seem unusual to plant strawberries in the cold of winter, getting them into the ground during their dormant period allows them to establish strong roots, giving you a head start on the growing season and a bountiful harvest come summer.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about planting and growing strawberries in December, including tips on variety selection, soil preparation, winter care, and advice for maximizing your strawberry harvest.

Why Plant Strawberries in December?

Planting strawberries in December offers several key advantages. While strawberries go dormant in the winter, their roots continue to develop beneath the surface, setting the stage for strong growth and high yields in the spring and summer. Winter planting also helps strawberries acclimatize to the soil and climate, reducing the risk of transplant shock in the spring.

By planting strawberries in December, you’ll enjoy a larger and earlier harvest, often months ahead of strawberries planted in the spring. This gives you more time to enjoy the sweet, juicy berries and allows you to extend your fruit-growing season.

Benefits of Planting Strawberries in December:

Early Establishment: Winter planting gives strawberries time to establish strong root systems, preparing them for rapid growth in the spring.
Cold Hardiness: Strawberries are naturally hardy plants that can survive cold temperatures, making them perfect for winter planting.
Reduced Transplant Shock: By planting while the strawberries are dormant, you minimize the risk of transplant shock, helping your plants grow stronger when spring arrives.
Earlier Harvest: Strawberries planted in December typically produce fruit earlier in the summer, giving you a head start on the growing season.

Choosing the Right Strawberry Varieties for Winter Planting

When planting strawberries in December, it’s important to select the right variety for your climate and growing conditions. There are three main types of strawberries: June-bearing, everbearing, and day-neutral. Each type offers different fruiting times and growth patterns.

June-Bearing Strawberries:

Cambridge Favourite: A classic variety that produces a large crop of sweet, medium-sized berries in early summer. Cambridge Favourite is known for its hardiness and reliability.
Honeoye: This June-bearing variety is cold-tolerant and produces large, bright red berries with a delicious flavor. It’s one of the earliest varieties to fruit.
Elsanta: A popular variety that produces large, juicy berries in early summer. Elsanta is widely grown and performs well in most climates.

Everbearing Strawberries:

Evie 2: A robust everbearing variety that produces berries from early summer until the first frosts. Evie 2 is known for its high yields and sweet flavor.
Albion: A high-yielding variety that produces fruit continuously from late spring to fall. Albion is known for its firm, large berries and excellent flavor.
Seascape: Another everbearing variety, Seascape produces large, flavorful berries and is highly resistant to disease, making it a great choice for winter planting.

Day-Neutral Strawberries:

Mara des Bois: This French variety is known for its exceptional flavor and continuous fruiting throughout the season. It’s well-suited for growing in containers or small garden beds.
Tribute: Tribute produces berries throughout the growing season and is known for its high disease resistance. It’s a great choice for those who want a steady supply of strawberries.

For winter planting, June-bearing varieties are often the best choice because they will produce a heavy crop in early summer, after taking advantage of their early establishment during the winter months. However, everbearing and day-neutral varieties can also be planted in December for a longer harvest period.

Preparing the Soil for Strawberries

Strawberries prefer well-drained, fertile soil with plenty of organic matter. They also thrive in slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. Proper soil preparation is key to helping your strawberry plants establish strong roots during the winter.

Steps for Preparing the Soil:

Test the Soil: Before planting, test the soil’s pH. If the pH is too high, you can lower it by adding sulfur or peat moss. If it’s too low, apply lime to raise the pH to the optimal level for strawberries.
Improve Drainage: Strawberries do not tolerate waterlogged soil, which can lead to root rot. If your soil is heavy clay or poorly drained, consider planting strawberries in raised beds or incorporating sand or grit to improve drainage.
Amend with Organic Matter: Incorporate plenty of well-rotted compost or manure into the soil to improve fertility and structure. Strawberries are heavy feeders and will benefit from the extra nutrients.
Fertilize: Apply a balanced fertilizer to the soil before planting to give your strawberries the nutrients they need to establish strong roots. Avoid using fertilizers high in nitrogen, as this can promote excessive leaf growth at the expense of fruit production.

How to Plant Strawberries in December

Once your soil is prepared, you can start planting your strawberry crowns or potted plants. Whether you’re planting in garden beds, raised beds, or containers, proper planting techniques will help ensure your strawberries thrive during the winter months.

Planting Bare-Root Strawberry Crowns

Dig the Hole: Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the roots of the strawberry crown. Make sure the hole is deep enough so that the crown sits at soil level. The roots should spread out naturally in the hole without being bent or cramped.
Planting Depth: Set the strawberry crown in the hole with the roots fanned out, ensuring that the crown (the point where the roots meet the leaves) is level with the soil surface. If the crown is buried too deep, it may rot. If planted too shallow, the roots may dry out.
Spacing: Space the strawberry plants about 30-45cm (12-18 inches) apart, with 60cm (24 inches) between rows.
Watering: Water the plants well after planting to help the roots settle. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, as excess moisture can lead to rot.

Planting Potted Strawberries

Loosen the Roots: If you’re planting strawberries from pots, gently remove the plant from the pot and loosen the roots if they appear root-bound.
Planting Depth: Dig a hole large enough for the root ball and place the plant so that the crown is level with the soil surface.
Watering: Water thoroughly after planting to help the roots establish in the new soil.

Caring for Strawberries Through Winter

Once your strawberries are planted, they require minimal care during the winter. Since the plants will be dormant, the focus is on helping them establish strong roots while protecting them from the cold.

Watering

While strawberries are dormant, they still need occasional watering, especially if the weather is dry. Keep the soil moist, but avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot. Check the soil regularly, and water if the top 2-3 inches feel dry.

Mulching

Mulching is essential for protecting strawberry plants from freezing temperatures and maintaining soil moisture. Apply a thick layer of mulch—such as straw, pine needles, or shredded leaves—around the base of the plants. Mulching will also help suppress weeds and improve the soil structure as it decomposes.

Frost Protection

Strawberries are generally frost-tolerant, but young plants may need extra protection during severe cold spells. Cover the plants with fleece or row covers if heavy frost or snow is expected. This will help insulate the plants and protect them from freezing.

Fertilizing in Early Spring

As soon as the weather begins to warm up in early spring, your strawberries will start to come out of dormancy. This is the time to apply a high-potassium fertilizer to encourage flowering and fruiting. Be careful not to over-fertilize with nitrogen, as this can lead to excessive foliage growth rather than fruit production.

Harvesting Strawberries

Strawberries planted in December will be ready to harvest in early summer, depending on the variety. June-bearing strawberries will produce a heavy crop over a few weeks, while everbearing and day-neutral varieties will provide a more extended harvest.

Harvesting Tips:

Pick When Fully Ripe: Strawberries are best harvested when they are fully red and ripe. They should come off the stem easily with a gentle tug.
Harvest Frequently: Check your plants regularly during the harvest period and pick the berries as soon as they ripen. This encourages more fruit production and prevents overripe berries from attracting pests.
Storage: Fresh strawberries can be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days. If you have a large harvest, strawberries can also be frozen—simply wash them, remove the stems, and freeze them on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer bag.

Conclusion

Planting strawberries in December is a great way to get a head start on the growing season. By giving your plants time to establish strong roots during their dormant period, you’ll set them up for vigorous growth and a plentiful harvest in the spring and summer. With proper soil preparation, winter care, and protection from frost, your strawberries will reward you with sweet, juicy berries year after year.

Follow the tips in this guide to ensure your strawberries thrive, and enjoy

the satisfaction of growing your own delicious fruit from early summer through fall.

Find out more things you can grow in December here