There should be at least four feet between strawberry rows.
Plants should be set at least sixteen inches apart.
Care
Flowers will appear on the plants shortly after being set in the ground. These should be pinched off the first year to allow plants to mature on June Bearers. Pinch off all flowers that appear before July 1st on Day Neutral and Ever Bearing species. This also gives a boost to the production of runners. Though June Bearers will produce no fruit the first year, the removal of flowers will bring a larger harvest the following year and extend the life of your plants for several years.
Mulch
Mulch cools the soil temperature and stops weed dead. Add mulch to areas between your plants as soon as they are planted. Mulch also keeps berries off the soil and prevents rotting. Straw is an excellent mulch to use for strawberry plants. Never use plastic to cover strawberry plants. It heats the soil and prevents the development of fruit.
Frost
If you live in a northern climate, strawberry plants should be covered with straw before the first frost in the fall. This will prevent the crowns of the plants from being damaged. The straw should be removed early in the spring as soon as there is no chance of frost overnight.
Water
If you want your strawberry plants to yield lots of large, juicy berries, they will need two inches of water each week. Extra water should be given from the flowering to the fruit bearing stage.
Fertilizer
Strawberry plants should be planted in fertile soil and a balanced fertilizer applied. Most strawberry producers use 10-10-10, which is perfect. Spread one pound of fertilizer per 100 square feet for best results. Fertilize June Bearers after the harvest and Ever Bearers and Day Neutrals after the second harvest. Over fertilizing will result in lush leaf growth but few flowers. If you live in northern regions, never fertilize strawberry plants in the fall. This will result in new leaf growth that will be killed over the harsh winter.