When to plant strawberries

In Illinois, plant strawberries in March or April so they establish before hot summer weather, or in the fall (mid-September to mid-October) if you want fruit the following spring.

• Plant as soon as the ground can be prepared in the spring.
• Do not plant if the soil is wet.
• If possible, set plants during cloudy weather or in the late afternoon or evening.
• When transplanting, the temperature should be 40 to 50 °F; frost generally will not harm new plants.