How to Grow Strawberries

Overview

Strawberries are one of the most popular soft fruits to grow at home, and homegrown strawberries have a flavour that surpasses anything from the shops. They can be grown in beds, containers, hanging baskets, and even growbags. With the right variety selection, you can enjoy fruit from May to October.

Health Benefits

Vitamin C superstar: Strawberries are exceptionally rich in Vitamin C, with a single serving providing more than your entire daily requirement. They also contain manganese and folate.

Anthocyanins for heart health: The bright red colour comes from anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants that may support heart health and help reduce inflammation.

Peak antioxidants when freshly picked: Studies suggest that the antioxidant content of strawberries is highest when eaten shortly after harvest, making homegrown berries picked at the point of ripeness significantly more beneficial than those transported long distances.

Soil Preparation

Strawberries prefer well-drained, fertile soil in a sunny position. Dig in well-rotted compost or manure before planting and ensure the site has not grown strawberries, potatoes, or chrysanthemums for at least three years to reduce disease risk. The ideal pH is 6.0 to 6.5. Raised beds and containers work extremely well for strawberries.

Sowing & Planting

Plant bare-root strawberries from March to May, or pot-grown plants at any time. Space 35-45cm apart in rows 75cm apart, ensuring the crown sits at soil level, not buried. Lay a straw or fibre mulch under the plants once fruit begins to develop to keep berries clean and reduce slug damage. Replace plants every three years as yields decline.

Care & Maintenance

Water regularly during fruiting, directing water at the roots rather than the fruit to prevent rot. Feed weekly with a high-potash fertiliser from flowering until the last fruit is picked. After cropping, cut back the foliage to about 10cm and remove straw mulch. Manage runners by pegging the strongest into pots to create new plants, and removing the rest.

Harvesting

Pick strawberries when they are uniformly red and fully ripe, ideally in the morning when they are cool. Handle fruit gently by the stalk to avoid bruising. Eat or preserve within a day or two of picking for the best flavour. Everbearing varieties produce flushes of fruit from June to October.

Common Problems

Birds are the greatest threat to ripe fruit. Cover plants with netting supported on a frame, ensuring there are no gaps for birds to enter.

Grey mould (botrytis) causes fuzzy grey fungus on fruit in damp conditions. Remove infected fruit promptly, improve air circulation, and avoid wetting the fruit when watering.

Slugs and snails eat fruit resting on damp soil. Use straw mulch, copper tape, or biological nematode controls.

Companion Planting

Strawberries grow well alongside lettuce, spinach, and thyme, which can provide ground cover and deter pests. Avoid planting near brassicas, which compete for nutrients and can harbour shared diseases.