When to plant strawberries in Pendleton, OR

Plant strawberry plants in Pendleton Apr 1 – May 13.

Easy Plant young plants

Why these dates

Pendleton's typical last spring frost is April 26. As a hardy perennial, this crop doesn't need to wait for that date. In the Columbia Basin and low eastern valleys, though, the soil usually isn't ready to work until about April 1.

Columbia Basin and low eastern valleys. Hot, dry summers and quick spring warm-up. Warm crops go in earlier than west of the Cascades, and irrigation matters more than rain.

Difficulty: Easy
Sun: Full sun
Spacing: 12 to 18 inches apart
Planting depth: Crown at soil level: not buried, roots covered
Frost: Hardy perennial; comes back every year
First harvest: A light crop the first summer; full crops from the second year

Step by step

Pick a sunny spot with soil that drains well, and mix in an inch or two of compost.
Plant strawberry plants Apr 1 – May 13, 12 to 18 inches apart. Crown at soil level: not buried, roots covered.
Water regularly, mulch with straw, and pinch off runners in the first year so plants put energy into roots.
Harvest: Pick fully red berries every couple of days, in the morning, with the cap attached.

Varieties that do well here

Hood (an Oregon classic)
Shuksan
Seascape (everbearing)
Albion (day-neutral)

Watch out for

Gray mold (botrytis) in wet springs and slugs on ripe berries. Mulch with straw to keep fruit off the soil.

June-bearers give one big crop; everbearers and day-neutrals give smaller harvests through summer. Oregon and Washington breeding programs have produced many of the best varieties for this climate.