Sprinkling can provide protection on frosty nights as long as temperatures warm sufficiently after sunrise. The chosen site must drain well, because strawberries will not tolerate wet feet. Standing water or water-logged soils contribute to below ground disease problems and drive oxygen that is necessary for proper plant development from the soil. It is critical that the planting be located in an area that is not lower than that surrounding it. Low sites often have frost problems in the early spring when strawberry plants are in bloom.
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.