Strawberry

Strawberries can be grown in pots or in the ground - and produce abundant, delicious fruit on compact plants, even in small spaces. 

There are three types of strawberry, summer fruiting, perpetual (also known as everbearers), and alpine (woodland, wild), all of which can be sown from seed. This means you can have harvest all the way from summer to autumn.

Sowing strawberries from seed

Getting strawberries started from seed requires a little bit of patience, as germination can be slow and erratic. However, the rewards are a wider choice of varieties, the plants will also be free of any diseases that may be present on shop bought or older plants, and you will also save money.  

To get the optimum results, the seeds are best stratified to break dormancy. This involves putting the seeds on a damp (not saturated) paper towel and keeping them in a zip-lock plastic bag, stored in the fridge, for 2-4 weeks.

Remember to acclimatise them out of the fridge for a day prior to sowing. Once the seeds are ready, sow lightly in trays into moist, peat-free, organic compost in February/March. The seeds need light to germinate so only cover thinly with compost. Label and keep at a temperature of 18c. Germination will take place anywhere from 2-6 weeks.

How to grow strawberries from runners or bare root

You can also plant pot-grown or bare root 'runners' (young plants) in spring or early autumn. Space these 30cm apart, allowing 60cm between rows. Choose well-drained, fertile soil in a sunny site.

Water and feed your strawberry plants, and remove the first flush of flowers for a good crop in the second year. Keep the fruit clean with straw, sheeting or mats underneath. 

Harvesting and using strawberries

Pick strawberries when they're fully coloured. Cover with horticultural eco-fleece for a longer harvest. We'd recommend replacing your strawberry plants every three years to continue getting a good crop (use a new location if possible). You can pot up the 'runners', or new plants, that are produced.

Tips for growing strawberries

Strawberries are loved by slugs and birds so it's worth adding some protection against slugs. Use eco netting to ward off birds but make sure that the netting is well-secured to avoid any birds getting trapped inside.