6 Best Fertilizers for Strawberries: Boost The Fruit Harvest
We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
Not only are strawberries a very slow growing berry, requiring a full winter before they’re ready to produce fruit the next summer, but they’re also very nutrient-heavy. This means it’s essential to get your hands on one of the best fertilizers for strawberries in order to get them everything that they need to grow lots of delicious berries.
In general, strawberries do best when their nutritional needs are met through a fertilizer that has a relatively balanced N–P–K (i.e. one that contains roughly equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium). Luckily, there are plenty of fertilizers that have been specifically formulated for aiding berry cultivation.
In this article, we’re going to go over the 6 best fertilizers for strawberries that you can easily order and add to your gardening routine. I’m sure you’ll be able to find a product that fits your needs to a T.
Let’s get right into it!
Key Takeaways
When putting together this list, I had the opportunity to look back on all the different strawberry fertilizers that I’ve used over the years. After lots of trial and error, I’ve determined that Espoma Berry-Tone Natural & Organic Fertilizer and Plant Food is the best fertilizer for strawberries that you can order online.
Espoma is an excellent brand that puts out incredibly consistent products, whether you’re buying soils or fertilizers. You can always count on getting a quality bag of fertilizer from them. It’s also an easy product to use. All you have to do is spread out some granules twice during the growing season.
I’ve also included products that take a couple of different approaches, like the liquid TPS NUTRIENTS Strawberry Fertilizer for Fruit and Berry Gardens and the powder Big Ass Berries Organic Nutrients for Indoor and Outdoor Berries.
miraclegro / Instagram
Best Overall: Espoma Berry-Tone Natural & Organic Fertilizer and Plant Food
Why this is a quality choice: Espoma Berry-Tone Natural & Organic Fertilizer and Plant Food is my top pick among the best fertilizers for strawberries. Its comprehensive formula simplifies the fertilization process, eliminating the need to combine multiple products. With just two applications required throughout the growing season, this fertilizer is hassle-free. Additionally, its bio-active ingredients provide numerous benefits for soil health.
Who is this for? This product is perfect for gardeners tending to a few berry bushes and seeking an easy fertilizing solution.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The mix contains only 5% sulfur for soil acidification, which may not be sufficient for plants in highly alkaline soil. However, for most gardeners, this sulfur level meets their soil’s needs effectively.
Active ingredients: Feather meal, poultry manure, bone meal, alfalfa meal, greensand, sulfate of potash, sulfate of potash magnesia, and elemental sulfur, plus various strains of beneficial bacteria | Herbicides: None | N–P–K: 4–3–4 | Package size: 4 lbs |
Best Budget: True Organic Berry Food Granular Fertilizer
Why this is a quality choice: This fertilizer for strawberry plants provides a great value proposition at an affordable price point. With an NPK ratio of 5–4–4, it offers ample nitrogen to promote plant growth and enhance berry size. Its child- and pet-safe formulation further adds to its appeal.
Who is this for? This fertilizer is suitable for supporting strawberry plant growth in various soil conditions, making it a versatile choice for a wide range of gardeners.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The formula lacks bioactive ingredients like bacteria or fungi, which may necessitate soil renewal after a few seasons of use.
Active ingredients: Poultry Manure, Soybean Meal, Seabird Guano, Sulfate of Potash, Fish Bone Meal, Crab Shell Meal and Shrimp Shell Meal | Herbicides: None | N–P–K: 5–4–4 | Package size: 4 lbs |
Best Fertilizer Powder: Big Ass Berries Organic Nutrients for Indoor and Outdoor Berries
Why this is a quality choice: Despite its bold name, Big Ass _____ is a reputable brand known for producing excellent fertilizers. Big Ass Berries, in particular, boasts a 100% organic rating and a rich nutrient profile for berry bushes. Its powdered form simplifies application, ensuring quick and effective results.
Who is this for? Big Ass Berries is an ideal choice for gardeners dealing with potassium-deficient soil, thanks to its high-potassium formulation compared to other fertilizers on the market.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Because of the mineral-heavy composition of this fertilizer, it’s important to avoid over-application to prevent potential issues. However, with proper dosage, this one can deliver outstanding results.
Active ingredients: Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, iron, manganese, zinc, and copper | Herbicides: None | N–P–K: 4–6–8 | Package size: 13.5 Ounces |
Best Liquid Fertilizer: TPS NUTRIENTS Strawberry Fertilizer for Fruit and Berry Gardens
Why this is a quality choice: This liquid fertilizer from the TPS Nutrients brand is a powerful liquid fertilizer that’s able to make a huge impact on your berry patch, even though the manufacturer-recommended dosage is just two tablespoons of fertilizer per gallon of water. It also contains lots of minerals like sulfur, copper, iron, and zinc, which can help your soil reach the ideal pH level for growing strawberries.
Who is this for? If you’re looking for an inexpensive solution for fertilizing a large strawberry growing area, then I’d recommend this excellent liquid fertilizer.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: I always say that you need a little bit of experience to use liquid fertilizers with confidence, given the risk of mixing dosages yourself and possibly over-fertilizing berries.
Active ingredients: Nitrogen, Phosphate, Potash, Calcium, Magnesium, Sulfur, Boron, Copper, Iron, Manganese, and Zinc | N–P–K: 3.6–3–5.1 | Package size: 8 fl. ounces or 32 fl. ounces |
Best Organic: Miracle-Gro Performance Organics Edibles Plant Nutrition Granules
Why this is a quality choice: Miracle-Gro is one of the largest names in the gardening space, but they’re not usually known for organic products like this one. However, their Miracle-Gro Performance Organics Edibles Plant Nutrition Granules is made from all-natural ingredients like feather meal and soybean meal, while providing an ideal fertilizing agent for berries in general.
Who is this for? Gardeners in need of an organic fertilizing solution for both strawberry bushes and other types of berries should consider Miracle-Gro Performance Organics Edibles Plant Nutrition Granules. It’s a flexible enough fertilizer that you can even use for a variety of vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: This is a fertilizer that leans more towards general use, and the one area where it’s less tailored to berry growing is in acidifying soil. But, you can use a different product to provide that boost to acidity while using a more conservative fertilizer like this one.
Active ingredients: Feather meal, soybean meal, nitrate of soda, bone meal, sunflower hull ash, phosphate rock, and sulfate of potash | N–P–K: 7–6–9 | Package size: 2.5 lbs
Best Mycorrhizal Fertilizer: FoxFarm Happy Frog Acid Loving Plants Fertilizer
Why this is a quality choice: The final fertilizer on our list offers several unique advantages. With a balanced NPK ratio and all-natural ingredients, it’s suitable for any berry patch but particularly beneficial for seedlings and young bushes because of its mycorrhizal content, which promotes root growth.
Who is this for? FoxFarm Happy Frog Acid Loving Plants Fertilizer is recommended for those nurturing young berry bushes.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Although this fertilizer may be slightly more expensive for a four-pound bag, its benefits justify the additional cost, making it a worthwhile investment.
Active ingredients: Feather meal, bat guano, kelp meal, alfalfa meal, and bio-active ingredients like mycorrhizal | Herbicides: None | N–P–K: 4–5–3 | Package size: 4 lbs |
true_organic_ / Instagram
Buying Considerations for The Best Fertilizers For Strawberries
Ingredients
First of all, it’s important to ensure that the fertilizers you’re considering for your strawberry patch are made from high-quality natural ingredients. Although synthetic fertilizers can provide a short-term boost to your plant’s productivity, in the long term they won’t contribute to soil health in the same way as naturally based fertilizers. You should keep an eye out for ingredients like bone meal, alfalfa mean, bat guano, and other natural compounds. These suggest that a product is filled with beneficial, bio-active ingredients that can improve soil health.
N-P-K
Next, you need to ensure that any strawberry fertilizers you’re considering have the right N–P–K (i.e. the right mix of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) to support strawberry growth. Most of the best strawberry plant fertilizers have a balanced N–P–K around 10–10–10 or 15–15–15. Although this N–P–K will work for the majority of strawberry gardeners, it’s important to consider what your underlying soil conditions are. If you have very potassium-rich soil, for instance, it’s a good idea to choose a fertilizer that doesn’t have as much potassium as nitrogen and phosphorus.
Form
Finally, it’s important to choose a type of fertilizer that you’re comfortable using. The different products on this list of the best fertilizers for strawberries come in several different forms. Among those are granules (Espoma Berry-Tone Natural & Organic Fertilizer and Plant Food), liquid (TPS NUTRIENTS Strawberry Fertilizer for Fruit and Berry Gardens), and powder (Big Ass Berries Organic Nutrients for Indoor and Outdoor Berries). Each form of fertilizer needs to be applied differently. Some people may be more or less comfortable with the different application methods. Liquid fertilizers, for example, have to be mixed with water in order to be applied. Granules can be spread on the ground, with some water on top of them.
How I Chose These Products
I primarily relied on my own personal experience using fertilizers for strawberries when coming up with this list. I’ve been growing strawberries in my garden for a number of years (mostly for the great jam I can make each season). That has given me a lot of insight into what features are necessary for a product to be considered one of the best fertilizers for strawberries. As you’ve seen, some of the crucial considerations are the quality of ingredients and the ease of applying the fertilizer.
I also did plenty of online research to find out how other gardeners have experienced using all the different options. After all, I know that not everyone’s garden is similar to my own, so I think it’s crucial to get a wide range of perspectives. I hope that all this work has produced a list that has the perfect option for you on it.
espomaorganic / Instagram
Final Verdict
Overall, I’ve rated Espoma Berry-Tone Natural & Organic Fertilizer and Plant Food as the best fertilizer for strawberries. Its easy-to-apply granules are packed with exactly the nutrients your strawberries need to grow and produce bountiful yields. Whether you’re just planning to plant your first few strawberry plants or have a large and established patch in your backyard, it’s a great way to ensure that your strawberry plants get the care they need.
FAQs
Is chicken manure good for strawberries?
Chicken manure can support the growth of strawberries because it contains a lot of nitrogen. However, it’s not a one-stop solution for all your strawberries’ needs because it doesn’t contain much phosphorus or potassium. That’s why many of the best fertilizers for strawberries that contain chicken manure also contain other compounds. It’s also worth pointing out that you can quite easily add too much nitrogen to the soil in your garden (or your grow bags) when using chicken manure, which can harm your plants.
What does Epsom salt do for strawberry plants?
Some strawberry gardeners add small amounts of epsom salts to their strawberry plants in order to boost the amount of chlorophyll that they have available. That helps the strawberries produce more energy, which is in turn converted into natural sugars in the berries. As a result, epsom salt can help you grow sweeter strawberries. Unlike fertilizers for other types of plants, some fertilizers for berries will already contain this compound.
What is the best NPK for strawberries?
In general, a balanced fertilizer that has similar levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are the best choice for fertilizing strawberry plants. Look for a product that has N–P–K levels with roughly the same value, such as 10–10–10 or 8–9–9, in order to provide the ideal ratio of nutrients to your berries.
