Reapply in mid-August. Avoid fertilizer applications before harvest in the second, third and fourth years. Spring applications may produce excessive vegetative growth, increase disease susceptibility, reduce yield, delay ripening and produce poor quality fruit. Keep fertilizer off leaves to prevent foliage burn. Their shallow root systems make plants susceptible to damage during hot, dry weather.
Water is important for fruit set and development and flower formation for the following season.
Water frequently, up to once a day, if weather during harvest is hot and dry. This will improve fruit size and firmness. Continue to water June-bearers after harvest. Contrary to the watering recommendations for many other plants, give strawberries frequent light watering. The soil should not be saturated for more than a few days.