STRAWBERRY TROUBLESHOOTING
Looking to grow beautiful, healthy strawberries in your garden? You’ve come to the right place. This troubleshooting guide covers common reasons strawberry plants don’t produce fruit—and what to do next.
QUICK FACTS
- Sun: Full sun is best (6+ hours daily)
- Soil: Well-draining, organic-rich soil; keep evenly moist (not soggy)
- Suitable for Canadian growing conditions
- Follow package instructions for best results
- Contact T&T Seeds for personalized growing advice
WHY ARE MY STRAWBERRY PLANTS NOT PRODUCING FRUIT?
It’s frustrating when strawberry plants grow well but don’t produce berries. This is common and usually tied to plant age, growing conditions, watering habits, pests/disease, or fertilizing. Here’s how to identify the issue and fix it.
1. AGE OF THE PLANT
Many strawberry varieties produce lightly in their first year while they focus on establishing roots.
What to do: In year one, consider pinching off early flowers to encourage stronger root growth. By the second year, plants are typically more productive.
2. POOR GROWING CONDITIONS
Strawberries grow best in well-draining, organic-rich soil and full sun. They also prefer steady conditions—extreme heat can reduce flowering, and late frosts during bloom can damage blossoms (which means fewer berries).
What to do: Improve drainage, add compost, and protect blossoms during cold snaps (row cover or frost cloth). During heat, water consistently and consider light mulch to help regulate soil temperature.
3. WATERING ISSUES
Strawberries have shallow roots, so they dry out quickly. Underwatering Say produce fewer flowers and berries, while overwatering can lead to crown or root rot.
What to do: Keep soil evenly moist—not soaked—especially during flowering and fruiting. Water at the base of the plant to help keep foliage dry.
4. PESTS & DISEASES
Pests (like lygus bugs) and diseases (like root/crown rot or fungal issues) can reduce flowering and fruit set.
What to do: Inspect plants regularly (undersides of leaves and developing buds). Remove damaged growth, improve airflow, and water early in the day at soil level to reduce fungal risk. Treat issues promptly if you identify pests or disease.
5. IMPROPER FERTILIZING
Too little fertilizer leads to weak plants, but too much nitrogen can cause lots of leafy growth with few flowers or berries.
What to do: If plants are large and green but not fruiting, reduce nitrogen-heavy feeding and use a more balanced or bloom-supporting approach. Adding compost can improve soil health and steady nutrient availability.
READY TO START GROWING?
Browse our selection of high-quality strawberry seeds and plants and get everything you need to grow with confidence.
Shop now at T&T Seeds for the best selection of plants, seeds, and gardening supplies.
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