Georgia fruit growing guide
Strawberries are one of Georgia's signature spring experiences, from backyard beds to U-pick farms. Georgia is not a one-system strawberry state: North Georgia commonly uses a perennial matted-row approach, while Middle and South Georgia use an annual fall-planted hill system.
Choose the right system
Best suited to UGA's perennial matted-row system.
Generally use an annual hill system: plant in fall, harvest in spring, then remove the planting.
Full sun, well-drained soil and consistent moisture.
Anchored bird netting can protect berries as they begin ripening.
A Georgia spring crop
Georgia strawberries connect home gardening with the state's spring farm season. The Georgia Department of Agriculture's 2026 Georgia Grown Spring U-Pick Agritourism Map features strawberries among the fresh crops visitors can pick directly from participating farms across the state.
Where you live in Georgia changes how you should grow strawberries.
UGA recommends the matted-row system primarily for North Georgia, while the annual hill system works best in Middle and South Georgia and can also be used in North Georgia during normal winters.
Plant by region
The production system—not just a date—changes across Georgia. Match establishment and seasonal care to the region.
For a matted row, establish plants in spring, remove first-year flowers and allow runners to fill the bed through summer. The planting fruits the following year and may produce for several seasons with renovation. Annual hill can also work during normal winters.
North Georgia planting calendarUse the annual hill system. Set plants in fall—UGA recommends roughly September 15 through November 1, with early October often ideal—then harvest the following spring and remove the planting after harvest.
Middle Georgia planting calendarUse the annual hill system. Set plants in fall—UGA recommends roughly September 15 through November 1, with early October often ideal—then harvest the following spring and remove the planting after harvest. Anthracnose can destroy matted rows during their first summer farther south.
South Georgia planting calendarTiming varies with region, weather and production system. Use current local conditions and county Extension guidance when setting plants or protecting blooms from frost.
Match cultivar to region
Variety performance changes with climate, soil and production system. Choose by region rather than buying the first variety available.
Chandler is adapted across South, Middle and North Georgia. Camarosa is recommended for South and Middle Georgia.
Sweet Charlie is adapted to several Georgia regions and can be used in either annual hill or matted-row production.
Earliglow is an early cultivar and Allstar is a midseason option listed for Middle and North Georgia.
Start clean. Buy certified, disease-free plants from a reputable source because diseases and nematodes can accumulate in an established bed.
Establish a productive bed
Select full sun. Prioritize fertile, well-drained soil that still holds adequate moisture, and avoid chronically wet sites. Soil-test for lime and fertilizer needs and consider a nematode assay.
Do not bury the crown deeply or leave roots exposed. UGA guidance calls for roughly 1 to 1½ inches of water per week for established matted rows when rainfall is insufficient.
Straw or pine straw can reduce soil splash and keep ripening fruit off bare ground. Secure bird netting around the planting before birds discover the crop.
Care follows the system
In North Georgia matted rows, establish in spring, remove first-year flowers, develop runners through summer, control weeds and irrigate when rainfall is insufficient. In Middle and South Georgia annual hills, set plants in fall.
Monitor moisture and cold events. Row covers can help protect blooms and small fruit from frost. As growth accelerates, monitor Botrytis fruit rot, anthracnose, mites and other problems, especially during wet weather.
Remove annual-hill plantings after spring harvest. Renovate perennial matted rows promptly after picking if the bed will be carried into another year.
Plan practical neighbors
Focus on pollinators, crop rotation, airflow, root competition and seasonal use of space rather than unsupported claims that one plant magically protects another.
Georgia garden idea: Place an appropriately sized pollinator edge beside the strawberry row rather than mixing many plants into it. This preserves access, airflow and bird-netting space.
Protect fruit and crowns
UGA identifies anthracnose, root-knot nematode, root and crown rots, leaf spots and Botrytis fruit rot among important homeowner problems. Start with clean plants, good drainage, crop rotation and regular scouting.
Small green or yellow insects suck sap, causing distorted growth, yellowing and stunting, and can transmit viral diseases. Monitor populations, conserve natural enemies and use a labeled product only when injury warrants treatment.
Mites feed on plant cells, causing stippling, yellowing and reduced fruit production. Scout leaf undersides, conserve predatory mites and use a labeled miticide only when monitoring warrants treatment.
Adults lay eggs in buds, leading to damaged flowers and deformed fruit. Confirm the pest, monitor damaged buds and remove badly affected material where practical.
Larvae bore into crowns and weaken plants. Remove badly infested plants, keep the bed open for crown inspection and follow current Georgia recommendations if treatment is needed.
These mollusks feed on leaves, fruit and stems. Reduce moist hiding places, handpick when practical and use a product labeled for strawberries if damage becomes significant.
Adults skeletonize leaves and damage fruit. Handpick on small plantings and use a labeled product only when feeding damage warrants treatment.
Thrips feed on flower buds and young fruit, causing distorted growth. Monitor flowers and fruit, conserve natural enemies and use labeled controls only when pressure warrants treatment.
Integrated pest management—including monitoring, early detection and cultural, biological and chemical controls—helps manage problems. Follow current labels and recommendations for any control method.
Pick for color and flavor
Georgia's harvest timing varies with region, weather and production system, but strawberries are fundamentally a spring crop here. Pick berries when they have developed full color and good flavor, and check the bed frequently during peak production.
Grow → Harvest → Cook: A spring strawberry harvest can go well beyond shortcake. The recipes below move from salad and breakfast to a savory entrée and frozen dessert.
From Georgia strawberries to the kitchen
Baby spinach, strawberries, feta, red onion and candied pecans tossed with balsamic vinaigrette.
Greek yogurt layered with fresh strawberries, crunchy granola and a drizzle of honey.
Chicken paired with fresh strawberries and a sweet-tangy balsamic and honey sauce.
Vanilla ice cream and sweetened strawberries layered with crushed shortbread into frozen bars.
Continue with Georgia-grown fruit
Continue with Georgia blueberries, peaches, muscadines, apples and the complete Fruit Gardening in Georgia guide.
For current variety, planting-system, disease and pest recommendations, consult University of Georgia Cooperative Extension and your county Extension office.
Georgia Planting Calendar · Companion Planting · Harvesting Guides · Seasonal Produce