Bed dimensions and recommended fertilizer placement for two- and four-row strawberry beds. Center-to-center spacing of beds is 40 to 52 inches for two-row beds (a) and 60 to 68 inches for four-row beds (b). Row spacing (c) is 12 to 16 inches and plant spacing within rows is 12 to 18 inches). Slow-release fertilizer or monoammonium phosphate type fertilizer may be placed 1 to 1 1/2 inches below the level of transplant roots. Fertilizer may also be placed to the side of the planting slot and slightly above the level of the transplant roots (x) or below the drip line (y), positioned so that irrigation will move nutrients into the root zone. Placing the fertilizer to the side of the planting slot decreases the risk of fertilizer burn, while placing fertilizer higher in the bed increases the likelihood of salinity problems. Fertilizer also may be broadcast and incorporated into the bed.

Illustration from Integrated Pest Management for Strawberries, 2nd edition. UC ANR Publication 3351.