How to Manage Pests

Watering strawberries

Drip irrigation works best for strawberries once plants have formed several leaves. It helps prevent diseases and insect problems. Place a drip line or drip tape between rows of plants if you have two rows planted on each bed or alongside plants of single-row beds. You can place drippers appropriate for the soil type (1 or 2 gallons per hour rate for well-drained sandy loam soil) about 2 inches (5 cm) away from the crown of each plant. Run the drip system twice a week, long enough to wet the planting bed thoroughly.

Furrow irrigation also can be used for raised bed plantings. Make rows no longer than 20 feet (6 meters). Dam the ends of the furrows between planting beds, then fill each furrow half to two-thirds full with water and let it soak into the bed. Repeat furrow irrigation weekly. Be sure to remove the dams at the ends of furrows after the beds have been thoroughly wetted, so that water can drain away from the planting beds.

If salt accumulation becomes a problem, use sprinklers to rinse salts from the beds. Sprinkle heavily at least twice during the summer; in the morning so that plants can dry off.