Soil analyses indicated that strawberries did not take up large quantities of N during the autumn, causing a build‐up of soil N even with the small, regular applications used. Spring applied N was the most important factor determining yield. This was supported by the higher soil N values in plots receiving N during the spring. Although soil N levels were very low in the spring, differences can be ascribed to leaching and plant uptake during the interval between application and sampling. The highly significantly higher soil N levels in treatments that received spring N indicated that sufficient N was available in the period between applications to ensure a large yield. Soil K levels were influenced by both spring and autumn N applications. The differences in soil K can be ascribed to difference in plant size and to competition between K+and NH4+for sites on the cation exchange complex. Although yield was not influenced by the different K treatments, application of N in both spring and summer influenced soil K level. K in commercial plantings should be supplemented only if Bray II extractable K levels drop lower than 35 ppm.