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Growing your very own strawberry plants? Then you will need to invest in the best fertilizer for strawberries so your plants produce plump and juicy fruit, better than the grocery shop ones! Luckily for you, our extensive gardening guides provide you with all the information you need to pick the best strawberry fertilizer for your garden.
At Your House Your Garden, you can learn all about the best liquid fertilizers overall to the top fertilizers for your fruit trees, we offer information and details about all things related to effective gardening.
Picking the right fertilizer for strawberry plants encourages a better yield and a sweeter fruit, so if you are interested in growing strawberries in containers or in your backyard, keep on reading to learn all about fertilizing strawberry plants effectively!
Top picks for Best fertilizer for strawberries
- 1. Best Choice - Espoma Organic Berry-Tone Strawberry Plant Food
- 2. Best Budget - Jobe’s Organics Fruit & Citrus Fertilizer
- 3. Best Overall - Miracle-Gro Performance Organics Plant Nutrition 7-6-9
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1. Down to Earth All Natural Acid Mix Fertilizer 4-3-6
Strawberries, much like other berries, thrive in soil with a pH of 6-7, making it slightly more acidic than ordinary soil. The Down to Earth’s All Natural Acid Mix fertilizer for strawberries is a terrific option for your strawberry plant as it lowers the pH levels of the soil just enough to make it perfect to grow these delicious fruits.
It’s also a wise choice for other garden plants, such as blueberries, raspberries, azaleas, and evergreens, which prefer a low pH.
Additionally, this strawberry plant fertilizer also consists of cottonseed meal, which is typically used for plants that thrive in acidic soil and it forms the basis of this all-natural 4-3-6 mix. Fish bone meal, langbeinite, kelp meal, humates, etc., are some of the other premium ingredients in this fertilizer that encourages steady and robust growth whilst also infusing them with enough nutrients to survive winter stress.
2. Espoma Organic Berry-Tone Strawberry Plant Food
When it comes to organic fertilizers, nothing matches the Espoma Organic Berry-Tone Strawberry Plant Food. It has received rave reviews from gardeners all around for its ability to help produce a bigger yield and also improve berry taste.
It has an NPK rating of 4-3-4, making it one of the best organic fertilizers in the market that can be used all year round. This fertilizer can also be used for other edible plants such as raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries.
A slow release fertilizer is typically more effective for soft berries, providing a constant flow of micronutrients so that your strawberries can grow plump, sweet, and packed with delicious juice instead of burning and rotting away due to over-fertilizing over a short period of time.
A single 4lb bag is sufficient as you only need a cup for every plant during the growing season. This also makes this berry strawberry plant fertilizer a budget-friendly option.
3. Miracle-Gro Performance Organics Plant Nutrition 7-6-9
One of the best granular fertilizer for strawberries is the Miracle-Gro organic fertilizer. It is known for its versatility and its granules do not need to be mixed with water for it to work on your strawberry plants. Whether you’re planting trees and shrubs, growing fruit or vegetables, or hoping to get your flowers to bloom, this healthy plant growth formula is the answer to it all.
Its most impressive advantage is that it does not need to be mixed with any compost or liquid. Its granules dissolve on their own, ensuring that the key nutrients are infused thoroughly with your growing strawberries. It strengthens the roots and ensures a steady berry production.
This is an organic fertilizer that can be safely used on all types of strawberry plants including June bearing strawberries and day neutral varieties.
4. Triple 10 All Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
Looking for the best liquid fertilizers for your strawberry plants? Look no further than this Triple 10 All Purpose strawberry fertilizer.
Liquid fertilizers are unique as they absorb quickly and infuse with the soil and roots faster than granular fertilizer. This is especially handy for strawberry plants that are weak, wilting, and dying. This liquid fertilizer is an all-purpose plant food to help you grow organic strawberries regardless of the growth cycle stage.
One bottle contains enough concentrate is enough to use with up to 32 gallons of fertilizer. You can add or subtract to prepare a balanced fertilizer formula with a 10-10-10 nitrogen phosphorus and potassium ratio for larger or smaller batches.
This bottle also comes with a handy measuring device so you don’t have to get a measuring cup or spoon.
5. Jobe’s Organics Fruit & Citrus Fertilizer
As the name suggests, this Jobe’s Organics Fruit & Citrus fertilizer for strawberry plants is specially designed to infuse your fruit trees and plants to produce larger yield and sweeter fruit. It is 100% organic and works exceptionally well with strawberry plants.
Unlike inorganic fertilizers, this organic alternative contains Jobe’s patented Biozome that helps to create the ideal soil conditions for healthy crop and fast growth during early spring.
You can use this to fertilize strawberries as well as a range of other fruit including apples, oranges, lemons, cherries, etc. It consists of a 3-5-5 NPK ratio that is ideal for strawberry plants and other soft berries.
However, it cannot help to create acidic soil. If your soil is already between 5.4-6.5 pH levels, then this is an excellent choice to fertilize strawberries.
6. Scotts All Purpose Plant Food
If you are on the hunt for one of the best all purpose fertilizer for strawberries and other berry plants, then we highly recommend this Scotts All Purpose Granular Plant food that works wonders!
It helps inject key nutrients in all kinds of garden plants, vegetables, and fruit including strawberry plants. More importantly, it is a budget-friendly, balanced fertilizer for strawberries with an NPK ratio of 10-10-10. This helps to grow larger yields and sweeter fruit.
The granules are continuous-release which are easy to sprinkle and spread and can be poured into your strawberry plants directly. One round of fertilization is enough for 2 months. It also releases slowly so your plants don’t burn.
When to Use the Best Fertilizer for Strawberries
Firstly, it is important to know that there are 3 primary types of strawberries that you can grow and each variety must be fertilized at different times.
1. June-Bearer Strawberries
June-bearers, the most popular variety of strawberry, are typically available at your neighborhood grocery shop or supermarket. These strawberry types only produce one crop per year.
Right after you have harvested the group is the ideal time to collect June-bearers. As a result, the plants can recover all through the fall and winter and produce a fresh crop of juicy, plump fruit by the following spring.
2. Day-Neutral
Day-neutral strawberry plants are more tenacious and will persist until the freezing winter eventually kills them, even though they don’t yield quite as many berries as June-bearers.
If they get the appropriate quantity of fertilizer at the right time, which is during the summertime between June, July, and August, they’ll come back to life as the weather heats up again.
3. Ever-Bearers
This variety of strawberries produce a good yield of small fruit during early summertime and fall. It is recommended that you fertilize them after each crop for best results.
How Often Should You Fertilize Your Garden Strawberries?
Before planting any new strawberry plants, you should fertilize your soil.
By doing this, you can make sure that your plant receives all the nutrients that it requires to begin growing without becoming overly stressed.
Then you’ll discover that while some high quality fertilizers guarantee that you only need to treat the ground once per season, it’s always worthwhile checking on the directions as some do need frequent reapplication over time.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Fertilizer for Strawberries
Strawberry plants can grow to their greatest potential with fertilization. Consider the type of fruit, the fertilizer’s composition, convenience of application, and whether it is organic or inorganic when selecting the best fertilizer for strawberries.
1. Strawberry Varieties
As stated above, you should always first determine the type of strawberry plant you want to grow before investing in the best fertilizer for strawberries. Each of the 3 types has different fertilization requirements so remember to do your research first.
2. Types of Fertilizers for Strawberries
Fertilizers are available in granular, powder, and liquid forms. In a water-based solution, liquid fertilizers are simple to apply and readily absorbed by plants. Because liquid fertilizers are easily washed away by rain or irrigation, they could require more regular application.
Fertilizers that come in the form of powder yet function similarly to liquid fertilizers. To create the finished product, gardeners combine the powder with water. Because powdery fertilizer is more compact, it is simpler to store.
Hand application of granules or use of a shake-feed bottle or tool are also options for applying granules to the ground around strawberry plants. The release of micronutrients into the soil occurs as the granules break down as a result of irrigation or rainfall.
3. NPK Ratio for Strawberry Fertilizer
The NPK ratio, which is presented as three integers separated by dashes, is often displayed on the exterior label of a strawberry fertilizer bag. Each figure represents the amount of that nutrient in the fertilizer as a percentage.
You can use fertilizers with a variety of NPK ratios. Strawberries are resilient plants that thrive almost anywhere and will utilize any nutrients that are provided. Gardeners can choose an NPK ratio by doing a soil test to identify the nutrients their soil is deficient in.
A balanced 1-1-1 fertilizer is usually a recommended choice for overall strawberry plant health. Such strawberry fertilizers can aid in preventing excessive leaf growth and promoting higher fruit production.
4. Easy to Use Fertilizer for Strawberries
A good strawberry fertilizer is one that is easy to use even for amateur gardeners. It takes a lot of effort growing a fertilizing strawberries; thus, there is no need to make things more complicated.
Although some require only simple instruments, most strawberry fertilizers are simple to apply. The easiest to use and sprinkle by hand are granules. For an equal dispersion, many granule fertilizers are available with shake-top containers which makes it a lot easier to spread.
Liquid and powdered fertilizers require an additional step of mixing with water in a big container. To achieve equal application around the plants, liquid and powder fertilizers are best sprayed with a sprayer or watering pot.
5. Organic or Inorganic Best Fertilizer for Strawberries
The decision to use organic or inorganic fertilizers is entirely up to the individual grower. Both varieties have the nutrients necessary to produce strong strawberry plants. While inorganic fertilizers may contain artificial elements, organic fertilizers are created from natural materials.
Inorganic fertilizers are inexpensive and simple to locate. They can be either fast-acting or slow-release formulations, and they are especially designed to give plants the nutrients they require. Additionally, certain nutrients are present in them in larger quantities.
Animal or plant sources are used to make organic fertilizers. They don’t function as quickly and instead work gradually to improve the soil. Organic nutrients that are high in nitrogen are an excellent choice for strawberries. Blood meal and alfalfa meal are a few alternatives for ingredients; all of them offer a respectable amount of nitrogen.
FAQs on the Best Strawberry Fertilizers for Your Garden
Can Epsom salt be used to fertilize strawberries?
Yes, Epsom salt can be used to fertilize strawberries as it helps the plant grow more food whilst also helping with the growth and overall health.
Is it possible to over fertilize strawberries?
Yes, it is possible to over fertilize strawberries. Too much fertilizer might damage your strawberry plants’ roots and make it difficult for them to absorb the nutrients they require from the soil. Making your own compost tea is another fertilizer alternative to help you prevent over fertilizing.
What is one of the best ingredients for organic strawberry fertilizers to maintain nitrogen levels?
One of the best ingredients for organic strawberry fertilizers to maintain nitrogen levels is bone meal. Bone meal consists of 13% nitrogen which helps strengthen the strawberry plant roots and it is all-natural.
Abigail Clemente
To say that Abigail is passionate about gardening and landscaping would be an understatement. Abigail came to Your House Your Garden team with an already exceptional portfolio as an experienced writer.
Abigail Clemente
To say that Abigail is passionate about gardening and landscaping would be an understatement. Abigail came to Your House Your Garden team with an already exceptional portfolio as an experienced writer.
