is there a trick to plant strawberries?

Plant in early spring, full sun, rich soil. The trick is depth: the crown (where the leaves meet the roots) has to sit right at soil level. Too deep and it rots, too high and it dries out. Space them about 30-45cm apart and mulch with straw so the fruit stays off the soil. In the first year pinch off the flowers on June-bearing types - hurts, but the plants are much stronger the year after.