Gardeners with poorly drained soils should plant strawberries in raised beds. Select a planting site where strawberries, tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, and eggplants have not been grown within the last 5 years to minimize the risk of Verticillium wilt, red stele, and other root diseases. Plant only disease-free strawberry plants obtained from a reputable mailorder nursery or garden center. Plants from an old bed are often disease infested. Control weeds in and around the strawberry planting.
Weeds reduce air circulation.
Poor air circulation increases the drying time in the planting, resulting in greater disease problems. Also, some weed species harbor insects and are hosts for Verticillium wilt and nematodes. Apply a layer of straw mulch between rows and around plants. The mulch prevents soil from splashing onto the berries. The mulch also keeps the fruit off the soil surface and helps control fruit rots.