How Can You Trellis Strawberries in Your Garden?

There is nothing sweeter than a warm strawberry fresh out of the garden. To help you get that first fruit, we’re here to answer the question “How can you trellis strawberries in your garden?”

​Can You Trellis Strawberries

Yes, you can trellis strawberries to help keep the plants off the ground, which can reduce disease, pests, and rotting of the fruit. 

By trellising your strawberries, you can optimize space, which is especially helpful in limited space or container gardening. Trellising also makes it easier to harvest the strawberries. 

Additionally, you can use alternative methods for your vertical gardens, such as a strawberry tower or a hanging basket to allow strawberry plants to dangle downwards.

Climbing Strawberries

While strawberries are not typically known as climbing plants, there are varieties that produce long runners that can be trained upwards with support. You’ll have to help them attach to a trellis as the runners grow.

Different Varieties

Here are a few varieties of strawberries that are known for their vigorous runners and ability to be trellised:

1. Alpine Strawberries (Fragaria vesca): Alpine strawberries are smaller and more delicate compared to traditional strawberries. They produce numerous runners that can be trained along a trellis or allowed to cascade over the edges of containers.
2. Everbearing or Day-Neutral Varieties: Some everbearing or day-neutral strawberry varieties produce long runners that can be trained vertically. Examples include ‘Tristar’, ‘Seascape’, and ‘Tribute’.
3. Albion: Albion is a popular variety known for its high yields and sweet flavor. It also produces runners that can be trained upwards.
4. Seascape: Seascape is another variety that is suitable for trellising. It produces large, flavorful berries and sends out plenty of runners.
5. Fraises des Bois (Woodland Strawberries): These are wild or semi-wild varieties of strawberries that can be quite vigorous in their growth habit. They’re often grown for their intense flavor and can be trained along trellises.

Planting Climbing Strawberries

First, plant your strawberry plants along the base of the trellis in garden beds. Make sure to space them according to the recommendations for the variety you’re planting.

Next, as the strawberry plants grow, gently guide them towards the trellis. You may need to tie them to the trellis with soft garden twine or clips to help support them.

Last, regularly prune the strawberry plants to remove runners and keep the growth under control. Also, ensure that the plants are adequately watered and fed throughout the growing season.

Trellis System for Climbing Strawberries

There are various trellis systems you can use for strawberries, including V-shaped trellises, T-shaped trellises, or even vertical trellises. Choose the one that suits your space and needs.

Depending on the type of trellis system you’re using, you may need to install support posts. These posts should be sturdy enough to hold the weight of the trellis and the plants.

Attach the trellis material to the support posts. For example, if you’re using a V-shaped trellis, you might use wires or strings stretched between the posts.

Unique Growth Habits

One of the most distinctive growth habits of strawberries is their production of runners or stolons. These are long, thin stems that emerge from the main plant and grow horizontally along the ground or just above it. At intervals along the runner, new baby plants called “daughter plants” form. These daughter plants can eventually root themselves and grow into new, independent strawberry plants.

The crown of the strawberry plant is where the leaves emerge and the flower clusters develop. It’s a central point from which the runners extend and new leaves and flowers emerge.

While strawberries are typically grown as annuals in many regions, they are actually perennials. The crown of the plant persists from year to year, and with proper care, the plant can continue to produce fruit for multiple years.

Strawberry plants have a low-growing habit, with leaves and flowers emerging close to the ground. This makes them well-suited for ground cover or container planting.

Many strawberry varieties exhibit indeterminate growth, meaning they continue to produce new leaves, flowers, and fruit throughout the growing season as long as conditions are favorable. This is opposed to determinate growth, where the plant has a set growth period and produces fruit all at once.

In addition to producing runners, some strawberry plants also produce suckers. These are shoots that emerge from the base of the plant and can develop into new crowns if left unchecked. Suckering can contribute to the spread of strawberry plants in a garden bed.

Strawberry Cultivation (How to)

Here’s a brief run-down on how to grow your own strawberry plants.

​1. Prepare the Site

Choose a site with well-drained soil and full sun exposure. Avoid areas prone to waterlogging or where strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, or potatoes have been grown in the past three years to minimize disease risks. A raised bed is a good idea for your strawberry plants.

Prepare the soil by removing weeds and debris, and incorporate organic matter such as compost or aged manure to improve soil structure and fertility. Conduct a soil test to determine pH and nutrient levels, aiming for a slightly acidic soil pH around 6.0 to 6.5.

2. Select the right plants

Select healthy, disease-free strawberry plants from reputable nurseries or garden centers. Consider the type of strawberries you want to grow: June-bearing, everbearing, or day-neutral varieties. 

Purchase certified disease-free plants for best results. An easy way to find a good choice is to simply pick up plants from your local big box store, like Home Depot, for that disease-free certification.

3. Planting

Plant strawberries in early spring or late summer to early fall, depending on your climate and the type of strawberries you’re growing. Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart in rows spaced 2 to 3 feet apart. Not giving strawberries much space will result in overcrowding quickly.

Strawberry plants have shallow root systems, and they don’t like to be smothered. Ensure the crown of the plant is level with the soil surface and firm the soil around the roots. Don’t bury the crowns.

4. Watering

Provide consistent moisture to newly planted strawberries to encourage establishment. Water deeply and evenly, aiming to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses to deliver water directly to the roots and minimize moisture on the foliage, which can lead to diseases.

5. Mulching

 Apply a layer of mulch, such as straw or shredded leaves, around the plants to suppress weeds, conserve soil moisture, and prevent fruit from contacting the soil. Mulching also helps regulate soil temperature and reduces the risk of fruit rot.

6. Fertilization

Fertilize strawberries according to soil test recommendations or with a balanced fertilizer formulated for fruit-bearing plants. Apply fertilizer, such as worm castings, in early spring before flowering and again after harvest. Avoid over-fertilization, which can lead to excessive vegetative growth at the expense of fruit production.

7. Pest and Disease Management

Monitor strawberries regularly for signs of pests such as aphids, mites, slugs, and snails, as well as common diseases like powdery mildew, gray mold (Botrytis), and anthracnose. 

Employ cultural practices such as proper spacing, adequate airflow, and removal of diseased plant material to minimize disease pressure. Consider using organic or chemical controls as needed.

8. Pruning and Runner Management

During the first year of planting your young strawberry plants, prune off the white flowers so they don’t set fruit. This will help the plants to establish roots as perennial plants in your garden beds. This is extremely difficult to do, but the potential benefits in the longevity of production later is worth the cost.

​Remove runners as they appear to prevent overcrowding and maintain plant vigor. You can pot these runners or give them a new home in your garden, adding to your strawberry stock. Trim back older leaves and runners after harvest to encourage new growth and improve airflow around the plants.

9. Harvesting

Harvest ripe strawberries as soon as they reach full color and flavor. Pick berries gently, leaving the stem attached to the fruit to prolong shelf life. Harvest regularly to prevent overripe fruit and encourage continued production throughout the growing season.

Can You Trellis Strawberries Over Winter

Home gardeners can take these steps to winterize strawberry plants:

1. Remove any dead or diseased foliage from the strawberry plants. This helps reduce the risk of pests and diseases overwintering and provides a cleaner environment for the plants. 
2. Apply a thick layer of mulch to insulate your berry plants.
3. Ensure that the crowns of the strawberry plants are not buried under the mulch. Excessive mulch piled directly on top of the crowns can lead to rotting. Gently lift the foliage and place the mulch around the plants, leaving the crowns exposed.
4. If you’re growing strawberries in containers, move the containers to a sheltered location such as a garage, shed, or unheated greenhouse for the winter. Provide some insulation around the containers, such as bubble wrap or straw, to protect the roots from freezing temperatures.

​Strawberry Propagation

​Aside from starting strawberries from seed, there are three common ways to propagate new plants.

Runner Division

This is the most common method of propagating strawberries. Strawberries naturally produce runners, which are long, thin stems that emerge from the mother plant and produce new plantlets, or “daughter plants,” along their length. To propagate using this method:

• Allow the runners to grow until they develop roots at the nodes (where the daughter plants form).
• Once the daughter plants have established roots, sever the runner connecting them to the mother plant.
• Carefully dig up the daughter plants and transplant them to their new location in the garden or containers.

Sucker Division

Some strawberry varieties produce suckers, which are shoots that emerge from the base of the plant. Suckers can be carefully detached from the mother plant and replanted to create new strawberry plants.

Crown Division

Established strawberry plants by carefully separating the crowns into smaller sections. Each section should have healthy roots and foliage. Replant the divided crowns in new locations.

Companion Plants for Strawberries

Not only can you trellis strawberries, but there are several companion plants to place near the trellis that can help improve soil quality, attract beneficial insects, repel pests, and provide shade or support. Here are some companion plants for strawberries:

1. Lettuce: Lettuce is a great companion plant for strawberries because it has shallow roots that won’t compete with the strawberries for nutrients. Lettuce also provides shade to the soil, helping to keep it cool and moist.
2. Bush Beans: Bush beans fix nitrogen in the soil, which can benefit the growth of strawberries. Planting bush beans near strawberries can help improve soil fertility and overall plant health.
3. Borage: Borage is a beneficial companion plant for strawberries because it attracts pollinators such as bees and provides natural pest control by repelling harmful insects like tomato hornworms.
4. Marigolds: Marigolds are known for their ability to repel nematodes and other soil-borne pests. Planting marigolds around strawberry plants can help protect them from pests and improve soil health.
5. Nasturtiums: Nasturtiums are another flowering plant that attracts beneficial insects and repels pests. They also help to deter aphids, which can be a common problem for strawberries.
6. Chives: Chives are members of the onion family and can help deter pests such as aphids, mites, and Japanese beetles. Planting chives near strawberries can help protect them from these pests.
7. Thyme: Thyme is a low-growing herb that can help suppress weeds and improve soil drainage when planted around strawberries. It also attracts beneficial insects such as bees and parasitic wasps.
8. Comfrey: Comfrey is a dynamic accumulator, meaning it has deep roots that mine nutrients from the soil and bring them up to the surface. Planting comfrey around strawberries can help improve soil fertility and overall plant health.

Can You Trellis Strawberries for Better Fruit Production?

Providing a trellis for your strawberries doesn’t directly produce more fruit. However, by allowing better air circulation, you can reduce fungal diseases to keep healthier plants.

To ensure higher yields from your plants, make sure that you continue to harvest berries and make sure they get enough nutrients and water.

Trellising Strawberries in Your Garden Conclusion

Remember, when determining can you trellis strawberries, that you’re really aiming to keep the healthiest plants possible. Maybe that means trellising for you, or maybe you’d prefer a vertical tower. For me, I’m going to continue to grow in my raised beds, but offer plenty of pine needles to keep foliage out of the soil. However you choose to grow your perennial strawberries, take these steps to grow healthy plants for a bountiful harvest.

You may also enjoy reading: How to Build An Arch Trellis

Happy Growing!

Donna and her family have been homesteading for most of their 20+  years together in some shape or fashion. She currently lives on their 20 acre farm where they grow as much food as possible. What started as a just a few laying hens, has grown into large gardens, pastured poultry, pork, and lamb. They are continuously evolving their small farm to not suit their family’s needs, but also providing to their local community. Donna’s favorite part of the family farm is her self-built micro-dairy, where she gets to love on dairy cows while serving her local community. Milking, cheesemaking, and processing dairy have become the soul of their homestead and the center of their farm.