Strawberries prefer a loamy soil with a good mix of sand, silt, and clay. Light soils consisting mostly of sand will require frequent irrigation and a regular fertilizer program to maintain soil nutrition. Heavy clay soils, on the other hand, often hold too much moisture and can cause wet feet and root rot. A soil test should always be run before planting to determine nutrient availability. Soil pH should be around 5.8 to 6.2 for best results, although strawberries can tolerate a slightly higher pH. Phosphate and potassium should be corrected before planting.
Strawberries respond best in medium-textured soils.
Light, sandy soils dry out too easily, while heavy soils can retain too much water, particularly in the early spring. Organic matter is important for healthy plants. Soils with less than 3 percent organic matter should have material such as composted leaves, straw, or sawdust incorporated. Organic matter can also be increased by growing cover crops such as oats, barley, or sudangrass the year before and tilling in the residue. There are numerous strawberry varieties to choose from and many will perform reasonably well in Maryland.