Garden strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa) are low perennials that can be raised from seed but are normally propagated from runners – young plantlets that form on long stems in summer. The best planting time is late July to early September, which gives a full crop the following June; spring planting in March or April also works, with a smaller first harvest. Plant in a sunny bed with humus-rich, slightly acid soil (pH 5.5–6.5), 30 cm apart in rows 60 cm apart, keeping the crown exactly at soil level – buried crowns rot, exposed ones dry out. Water regularly while the fruit develops. Before berries form, lay straw under the plants to keep the fruit clean and reduce grey mould, net against birds and pick every day or two when fully red. After harvest, cut off old leaves and unwanted runners and feed the plants. Everbearing varieties crop until autumn. Yields fall after three to four years, so start a new bed on fresh ground with healthy young plants.