Strawberry Plants
Sweet and versatile, strawberries are the essence of a British summer and delicious when eaten freshly picked. Strawberries are incredibly easy to grow. Strawberry plants can be grown almost anywhere – in borders, containers or hanging baskets. And of course the fruit is extremely popular – home-grown strawberries taste delicious and are great value too.
Plant Health Passport Scheme - All plants are Elite and A Certified Stocks.
Space the plants 40cm (16in) apart. Water well. It’s a good idea to mulch around the plants with a thick layer of well-rotted manure, planting mats, compost or straw (some gardeners grow their plants through black polythene). This impenetrable layer will prevent weeds from growing and competing with the plants. We prefer the bed mats made from Mypex. It will also keep the soil moist so you won’t have to water the plants as often, and prevent soil splashing on the fruit. Strawberries are the most popular soft fruit for growing at home.
Planting considerations. When preparing pots for planting strawberries, use soil less composts or those with a low loam content, as these weigh less and make heavy containers such as large terracotta strawberry pots more portable. Strawberries like well-drained soil that is rich in humus, so dig in lots of compost or manure. They prefer to be planted in full sun, and sheltered from the wind.
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Strawberry Plants
Strawberry Growing Tips.
Strawberries are incredibly easy to grow. Strawberry plants can be grown almost anywhere – in borders, containers or hanging baskets. And of course the fruit is extremely popular – home-grown strawberries taste delicious and are great value too.
Water frequently while new plants are establishing. Also water during dry periods in the growing season. Try to avoid wetting crowns and fruit as this can promote disease. In early spring, apply general fertiliser such as Growmore at a rate of 50g per sq m (2oz per sq yd).
During the growing season, give strawberry plants a liquid potash feed – such as a tomato feed – every 7 to 14 days. Netting may be required to protect from birds. If squirrels are a problem, protect with wire mesh. In May, protect your bed with fleece if overnight frost threatens developing fruits. As fruits start to develop, tuck straw or fibre mats underneath plants to keep fruit clean. This will also help suppress weeds. Pull out any weeds that do emerge.
After cropping has finished, cut off old leaves from summer-fruiting strawberries to allow fresh leaves to develop. This isn't necessary with autumn fruiting plants, instead just remove old leaves in the end of season clear up. Also remove the straw mulch, fibre mat, or black polythene, to prevent a build-up of pests and diseases. Take off any netting so birds can feed on any pests.
Expect strawberry plants to crop successfully for four years before replacing them. Rotate your strawberry patch onto fresh ground to minimise the risk of disease build up in the soil.
Planting: Strawberries are so versatile – they just need sun, shelter, and fertile, well-drained soil. Avoid areas prone to frost and soils that have previously grown potatoes, chrysanthemums, or tomatoes because they are all prone to the disease verticillium wilt. Strawberries are traditionally grown in rows directly into garden soil. In poor soils grow in raised beds, which improves drainage and increases rooting depth. Alternatively, try growing in containers or growing-bags. Avoid windy sites which will prevent pollinating insects from reaching the flowers.
Strawberries can be bought as potted plants or bare-rooted runners. Strawberries for sale in pots (normally from late spring onwards) can be planted as soon as you buy them. Runners look like little pieces of roots with very few leaves. Don’t be alarmed, this is how they should look. You can buy runners from late summer to early spring, and they should be planted in early autumn, or early spring (avoid planting in winter when the ground is wet and cold).