Everything you need to know about growing strawberries!
How to plant
Prepare the soil by digging over, removing any perennial weeds and adding manure.
Place the strawberry plants every 35cm (13 in) in rows that are 75cm (30 in) apart.
Plant with the crown at soil level and water well.
Place a net over the plants to prevent birds and squirrels from eating the fruit.
Pick any ripe strawberries so they don't rot on the plant. Check the plants every other day during the ripening period.
Place the strawberry plants every 35cm (13 in) in rows that are 75cm (30 in) apart.
Plant with the crown at soil level and water well.
Place a net over the plants to prevent birds and squirrels from eating the fruit.
Pick any ripe strawberries so they don't rot on the plant. Check the plants every other day during the ripening period.
Growing tips
Regularly hoe between the rows and individual plants.
Regularly hoe between the rows and individual plants.
You might also want to place a net over the strawberries to stop birds and squirrels from eating the fruit.
From late May, place straw in the rows and under the fruit trusses to suppress weeds and prevent the fruit lying on the ground.
Barley straw is the best option, as it's softer and more pliable. If you can't get straw, use polythene sheeting.
It's possible to extend the growing season by placing early strawberry varieties under cloches or polythene covers in late March. Grown in this way, the plants should produce fruit two to three weeks earlier than normal.
From late May, place straw in the rows and under the fruit trusses to suppress weeds and prevent the fruit lying on the ground.
Barley straw is the best option, as it's softer and more pliable. If you can't get straw, use polythene sheeting.
It's possible to extend the growing season by placing early strawberry varieties under cloches or polythene covers in late March. Grown in this way, the plants should produce fruit two to three weeks earlier than normal.
How to grow in a basket
Growing strawberries in a hanging basket ensures they're kept out of the way of slugs.
Growing strawberries in a hanging basket ensures they're kept out of the way of slugs.
Plant five to six plants in a basket in spring, and water every day during the growing season.
From flowering until harvest, feed the plants every ten days with a product that's high in potassium, such as a tomato feed.
The same strawberry plants should continue to produce fruit the following year, but the crops will be better if the plants are renewed.
From flowering until harvest, feed the plants every ten days with a product that's high in potassium, such as a tomato feed.
The same strawberry plants should continue to produce fruit the following year, but the crops will be better if the plants are renewed.
How to harvest
It's important to pick any fruit as soon as it's ripe to prevent it rotting on the plant. Check the plants every other day during the ripening period.
The fruit is ready when it has turned red, although different varieties have different shades.
It's best to harvest the fruit in dry weather. Pick gently to avoid bruising and make sure the green stalk (calyx) remains with the fruit.
The fruit is ready when it has turned red, although different varieties have different shades.
It's best to harvest the fruit in dry weather. Pick gently to avoid bruising and make sure the green stalk (calyx) remains with the fruit.
Aftercare
After harvesting, remove the straw or matting that has been protecting fruit from the ground.
After harvesting, remove the straw or matting that has been protecting fruit from the ground.
Compost straw and debris, or clean and store matting for next year.
Cut off old leaves with hand shears and remove, leaving the crown and new leaves untouched. This allows sunlight into the center of the plant, ensuring a better crop next year. Feed and water well.
Leave nets off to allow birds to pick off any pests.
Leave nets off to allow birds to pick off any pests.
Propagation
It's simple to make more strawberry plants. The plants send out runners over the surface of the soil during the growing season. These can be pegged down, usually in June or July, while attached to the mother plant. Eventually, they will form a separate plant.
Don't allow more than five runners to develop from each plant. In August, when the runner plants are well established, cut them from the parent and transplant immediately.
and get started on growing your own strawberry patch!
