How to grow strawberries: Planting, Care & Harvesting

Strawberries are a quintessential summer fruit, beloved for their sweet, juicy flavor. While they’re available year-round in supermarkets, nothing compares to the taste of home-grown strawberries. Whether you have a sprawling garden, a small balcony, or just a windowsill, strawberries can thrive in various settings, including pots, hanging baskets, and growing bags. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about how to plant strawberries, how to grow strawberries in pots, and how to care for strawberry plants to ensure a bountiful harvest.

Monthly Strawberry Growing Tasks

• April: Plant bare-root runners.
• April to June: Plant pot-grown strawberries.
• June to July: Protect plants with netting, place straw or mats around them, and begin harvesting.
• July to August: Remove netting, clear away straw or mats, and start propagating runners.
• September: Plant fresh plants from home-grown or mail-order runners.

Why Grow Your Own Strawberries?

Store-bought strawberries often lack the flavor and freshness of home-grown fruit. Learning how to grow strawberries at home is simple and rewarding, even in small spaces like balconies, window boxes, hanging baskets, and pots. Additionally, strawberries are a great project for children and beginner gardeners.

Choosing the Right Strawberry Varieties

Strawberries come in different varieties, including early, mid, and late-season options. If you’re interested in learning about other plants grown, check out our guide to expanding your garden.

• Everbearing (Perpetual) Strawberries: Produce smaller fruits but offer a longer harvest season.
• Alpine Strawberries: Ideal for shaded areas or compact gardens, producing tiny yet flavorful berries.

Strawberry plants typically produce well for 3-4 years before their yield declines, but propagating runners ensures a continuous supply.

How to Grow Strawberries

For the sweetest, juiciest strawberries, plant in a sunny, sheltered location with well-draining soil. Prepare the ground with compost or well-rotted manure before planting. Regular watering is essential, particularly during hot weather. A high-potash feed boosts flower and fruit production. Replace plants every three to four years to maintain strong yields. Curious about other crops? Discover more plants grown and diversify your home garden

Best Time to Plant Strawberries

• Spring or Autumn: Ideal planting seasons.
• Bare-Root Runners: Available in spring and autumn, these cost-effective options should be planted in warm soil, preferably late summer to early autumn.
• Cold-Stored Runners: Planted between April and June, they produce fruit within 60 days.
• Pot-Grown Strawberries: Best planted in late summer to early autumn or spring.

How to Plant Strawberries in the Ground

Purchase strawberry plants in late spring or summer and prepare the soil with compost or manure. Space plants 30-45 cm apart in rows 75 cm apart. Water well after planting and ensure consistent moisture as they establish. Knowing how to plant bare root strawberries properly will help ensure strong root development and a thriving plant.

How to Grow Strawberries in Pots

Strawberries thrive in containers, hanging baskets, and window boxes. Use deep pots (minimum 15 cm wide) filled with soil-based compost and ensure proper drainage with gravel or broken crockery. Regular feeding with high-potash fertilizer promotes fruiting. If you’re wondering how to grow strawberries in containers or how to grow strawberries indoors, this method is ideal for small spaces.

How to Grow Strawberries from Bare-Root Runners

Bare-root runners are an economical choice and ideal for starting a new strawberry patch. Plant them 30-45 cm apart with their roots just buried. Water well and allow a cold spell below 7°C to stimulate flowering. If you’re unsure how to plant strawberry roots, ensure they are just covered with soil to avoid rot.

Essential Strawberry Plant Care

• Watering: Keep soil moist, especially during dry spells, but avoid wetting the foliage and fruit.
• Feeding: Apply a general-purpose fertilizer in early spring, followed by high-potash feeding every 1-2 weeks.
• Mulching: Use straw or mats around plants to keep fruits clean and deter pests. This also helps in understanding how to keep strawberries off the ground.
• Netting: Protect berries from birds while allowing pollinators access.
• Pruning: Trim foliage after fruiting to encourage healthy regrowth.

How to Grow Strawberries Hydroponically

For those interested in soilless gardening, learning how to grow strawberries hydroponically can be a great option. This method involves growing strawberries in a nutrient-rich water solution, eliminating soil-borne pests and diseases while maximizing yield.

Harvesting Strawberries

Pick strawberries only when they are fully red, as they won’t ripen further after picking. Gently pinch through the stalks to avoid bruising the fruit. For best flavor, eat them fresh, ideally warm from the sun. Store unwashed berries in the fridge for a few days if needed.

Propagating Strawberries from Runners

1. Select a healthy runner with leaves and secure it into a pot filled with compost using a U-shaped staple or wire.
2. Keep the stem connected to the parent plant until the new roots establish.
3. Once rooted, sever the connection and transplant into a larger pot or garden bed.

Common Strawberry Growing Problems & Solutions

• Slugs & Snails: Use straw mulch or organic pest control to deter them.
• Birds: Protect plants with secure netting.
• Grey Mould: Avoid overhead watering and remove infected fruits promptly.
• Powdery Mildew: Increase airflow, keep soil moist, and remove affected leaves.
• Frost Damage: Cover plants with fleece during unexpected late frosts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I protect strawberries from pests?

To protect strawberries from pests, use straw or mats to keep slugs and snails away from the fruit. Secure netting over the plants to prevent birds from eating the berries while still allowing pollinators to access the flowers. Regularly check for aphids and other insects, and use organic insecticidal soap or companion planting (such as marigolds) to naturally deter pests.

Can I move strawberry plants after fruiting?

Yes, you can transplant strawberry plants after they have finished fruiting. Water them thoroughly before and after moving to minimize transplant shock. Trim off runners to help the plant focus on re-establishing its roots in the new location. Ideally, move strawberries in early autumn or spring for the best results.

What’s eating my strawberry leaves?

Strawberry leaves can be damaged by various pests, including tortrix moth caterpillars, slugs, snails, and aphids. Inspect your plants regularly and remove caterpillars by hand. Encourage natural predators such as birds and ladybugs, and consider using organic pest deterrents to keep your plants healthy.

How do I keep strawberries off the ground?

To prevent strawberries from touching the soil and rotting, place straw, mulch, or special strawberry mats around the base of the plants. Using a raised bed or growing strawberries in containers can also help keep the fruit clean and protected.

How do I grow strawberries in pots or containers?

To grow strawberries in pots or containers, choose a deep pot (at least 15 cm wide) with drainage holes. Use a soil-based compost mix and place the container in a sunny location. Water regularly, feed with a high-potash fertilizer, and ensure proper spacing between plants for good airflow.

Can I grow strawberries indoors?

Yes, strawberries can be grown indoors if provided with adequate light. Place them near a sunny window or use grow lights to ensure at least 6-8 hours of light per day. Keep the soil moist but well-drained, and hand-pollinate the flowers if necessary to encourage fruit production.

By following this guide, you can enjoy a continuous supply of fresh, home-grown strawberries. Whether you’re interested in how to grow strawberries from seeds, how to plant strawberry roots, or how to grow strawberries hydroponically, these methods will help you cultivate thriving plants in any space.