Do strawberries need any special treatment as far as growing them is concerned? Do they take long to cultivate? What's the best month to plant them in the Northeast of the USA? Do they need alot of sunlight? Will I need to worry about small woodland creatures such as bunnies eating them when I'm not around?
Water every few days, and other wise let them alone. I have grown strawberries in both full sun and full shade, and when I lived in Northern Canada, I used to plant out after the last frost. I have always grown them directly on top of my mulch (they're called "straw" berries because of the best way to grow them - over straw) and equally have never started strawberries from seed - I always buy them as bedding plants. You won't have to worry too much about small critters eating the leaves, but once you have fruit it would be wise to protect the plants with a low chicken-wire box type of barrier. This will keep out everything but sparrows, and bird damage to a few berries isn't the end of the world. Alternately, if you are concerned about deer and suchwhat, you will probably want to fence your yard. If you want to deal only with bird damage, grow the berries in a hanging basket or in planters on the edges of your balcony or deck, and allow them to trail. If they're off the ground, bunnies won't be able to get at them. There are specific varieties of strawberry available for this. Best of luck!
