PERFECT on top of a cake, in a tart, with breakfast oats or with cream and a dash of sugar – strawberries are a sweet and refreshing treat.
And they’re easy to grow at home which means you can have a supply of fresh strawberries year-round from your own garden.
1
When is the best time to plant strawberries from home?
The ideal time to plant most strawberries is from early spring, around March and April, if you are going to grow them outside.
It is recommended to sow seeds in spring or autumn, but growing from seed is notoriously difficult.
According to the RHS, alpine strawberries are the best choice when opting to grow from seed.
But most people use runners from an established parent plant which can be planted throughout summer.
However, there is a huge range of strawberries that can be planted at different times of the year for a year-round harvest.
Everbearing varieties of strawberry plants will produce a small yield of fruit throughout the year.
For the best harvest, strawberries should be planted in a sunny position but they will tolerate shaded spots.
How can I plant strawberries from home?
Plants can be grown in pots on the floor, hanging pots, in raised beds or from the ground.
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It is recommended to grow strawberries from pots as they are less likely to be nibbled by pests.
You should choose a deep pot that is at least 15cm wide for your plant to allow lots of room to grow.
The most effective way to plant strawberries is as follows:
- Prepare the soil by adding manure, well-rotted garden compost or an appropriate fertilizer.
- Plant the strawberry plants 30 to 45cm apart, in rows that are 75cm apart. Make sure their roots are just buried, and firm the soil around them.
- Keep well watered for the next few weeks until the plants are established.
- Pluck off the first flowers that grow. This can encourage a larger yield of fruit.
- Use a strawberry mat or tuck straw around the base of your plant to stop dirt touching the fruit.
- Regularly check the plant for weeds that can overwhelm it as well as diseased or dying leaves and fruit. Remove them from the plant to promote healthy growth.
- Wait until the berries are fully red before harvesting.
Netting can be used to prevent birds and other garden animals from eating your fruit.
When it comes to autumn, mulch your plants to protect roots against frost damage.
After the first year, you do not need to remove the first batch of flowers your strawberry plant produces to encourage vigorous growth.
After five years fruit quality decreases, so if you want to continue growing the best fruit you will need to replace your plants.
Should I cut the leaves off my strawberry plant?
You should remove any yellowing or diseased leaves from your plant as you notice them to stop a build-up of decay from damaging the plant and your fruit.
It also removes potential homes for any pests that may want to munch your strawberries, such as slugs.
You can remove leaves by hand or by using gardening scissors or rakes.
Gardeners shouldn’t remove healthy, green leaves.
