Clean cultivation, planting a green manure crop or planting a crop in which weeds can be controlled using chemical herbicides or by cultivation can help control weeds before planting. Consult herbicide labels to avoid potential carry-over problems in the new strawberry planting. Test soil pH and fertility levels and incorporate phosphorus and potassium, if needed, before planting. Have orders delivered between April 15 and May 1 for spring planting in South Dakota. Obtaining plants from old beds or neighbors' gardens is not recommended since a number of diseases may be brought with these plants into the new bed.
Early spring is the best time to plant strawberries.
Set the plants as soon as possible after they arrive. 33F. The crisper compartment of your refrigerator can be used for short-term storage of strawberry plants if the roots are kept barely moist. Bare root plants, shipped from nurseries, will not tolerate planting temperatures of 22F or below in the field. However, don't wait too long to plant, as the earlier the plants are planted the more quickly they will become established and become productive. It is critical that plants are put in the ground at the right depth.