I am interested in growing strawberries. What soil, sun, and conditions are best for them? J.M.

Strawberries, like most fruits and vegetables, require full sun. The soil should drain well, as excess surface moisture will encourage mold on the berries. The soil also should have a very rich level of organic matter. Locate strawberries in an area that will warm up quickly in the spring. It also should freeze in the winter, since strawberries need an extended period of cold to produce fruit. Parts of the country where there are not freezing temperatures, such as California, grow strawberries as annuals, importing them from areas such as Michigan after they have had their requirement of cold.