Nothing much can beat the taste of sweet, delicious, mouth-watering strawberries! Even just describing it makes my mouth water for these juicy fruits! And even better is being able to pick them straight from your garden and enjoy them in abundance, without spending a fortune at the store. They are also pesticides free and totally organic.

Read on to learn how to grow strawberries and harvest your own fresh batch soon enough!

Growing strawberries is fairly easy, as they can grow in all temperate regions of the world. They grow quite easily in many spaces, from small pots, hanging baskets, raised beds to large plots.

Strawberries are perennials, which means if you take good care of the plants, they will produce fruit for several years with minimal effort.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT STRAWBERRIES AND IDEAL SPOT TO PLANT THEM

There are a variety of strawberry plants to choose from, and they are divided into 3 categories:

June bearing - As the name suggests, you will get one big harvest of strawberries around June, depending on your growing zone.
Everbearing - These plants have smaller crops, but they will continuously produce strawberries until the end of summer, as long as there are 12 hours of sunlight.
Day-neutral - The crops have three main peaks of bearing fruit, mainly early June, mid-July, and late August.

Your local garden center will be able to advise you on which types and categories of strawberries will grow best in your gardening zone and climate. In most zones, a favorite of home gardeners is Surecrop, which reliably produces firm fruits in almost any region and soil type.

Choosing the ideal spot will also determine which type to choose, as some varieties don’t have runners, which will not work if you want your plant to grow over a large area.

Strawberries can be planted in various spaces:

Hanging baskets - They ensure proper draining, which avoids root rot and is out of reach for many pests. Stick to one or two plants per basket.
Pots - Pretty as a decorative feature and it’s easy to contain the plant.
Raised beds - A pyramid bed enables you to have lots of planting space when you don’t have much space since the design goes up like a pyramid. Flat beds also work great if you have a large area available.
In the ground - Strawberries thrive the best in the ground where there is plenty of room for their runners and their roots to soak up all of the earth’s goodness.

Wherever you choose to plant or position your strawberries, they must get at least 8 hours of sun a day! They can tolerate shade but will be less sweet, and this we don’t want!

HOW TO PLANT AND GROW YOUR STRAWBERRIES

Strawberries can tolerate cold and some light frost, but it’s best to plant them in early Spring. If you haven’t done so yet, that’s ok, just do it soon ;-)

I recommend planting around 25 plants for a family to make the harvest worthwhile and ensuring you have plenty of strawberries for snacking, salads, and yummy summer drinks!

SOIL REQUIREMENTS

If you are a planner like me, it’s best to plant strawberries in aged manure and soil, prepared about two months ahead. So remember this for next time!
Strawberries prefer loamy soil, which drains well and has an acidity of 5.5 - 6.8 pH. If your area’s soil is more alkaline, it’s best to plant them in containers with the correct potting soil.
Add a good nitrogen-rich organic fertilizer such as manure, urea, or coffee grounds to the soil to ensure they get all the minerals they need.

PLANTING

Before planting, soak their roots for 20 minutes to rehydrate.
Avoid overcrowding by spacing your plants 18'“ apart, giving them enough space to run.
Dig holes wide and deep enough for the entire root system, but don’t plant too deep.

It is essential that the roots are covered and the crown is right at the surface level, just peeking out. Don’t bury the crown!

Water well at the time of planting for the plant to settle in nicely.
Adding some mulch materials around the plants will reduce your water needs, bring the soil temperature down, and help with weed invasion. Pine needles are a great choice.
Other plants that work excellently with strawberries for companion planting include garlic, beans, lettuce, spinach, thyme, and borage. Borage attracts bees which will aid the pollination of the strawberries, ensuring a good harvest. Borage leaves are also rich in the minerals that strawberry plants require.

MAINTAINING AND GROWING SWEET

JUICY STRAWBERRIES

OK, so your strawberries are planted, now what? If you take good care of your plants, deliciousness awaits!

WATER NEEDS

Strawberries need regular watering, especially when bearing fruit and during the hottest summer months.
Ensure your soil is always moist but not soaked to avoid strawberries rotting.
When watering your plants, try to avoid wetting the leaves. It’s best to avoid an overhead sprinkler and use a drip irrigation system or a soaker hose.
Watering should continue until September, and then only be given water once a while during the winter months. Cover them against frost if needed in your zone.

TENDER LOVING CARE

If your will is strong enough, pick off the blossoms in the first year to discourage fruit-bearing. The plant will reserve its feed and nutrients for healthy roots and grow many yummier berries next season! This is key to growing delicious strawberries!
Eliminate runner plants to avoid overcrowding and ensure the best yields.
Remember to weed your beds often.
Look out for any pests or diseases that need quick and swift treatment to avoid spoiling your whole crop.
Consider protecting your berries from birds and animals by covering them with nets or wire mesh.
Top up your soil with nitrogen-rich fertilizer in the fall.
When the season is over, around fall time, gather the runners and plant them where you want them. They will then overwinter as perennials in zones 5- 8 and can be planted as annuals in other zones.
Unless you properly amend your soil each year, don’t plant where strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, or eggplant have been planted. Crop rotation is crucial for the best yields.

HARVESTING TIME!

As I previously mentioned, your plants will yield the yummiest strawberries after the first year, so be patient! After blooming, you can expect to see strawberries within 6 - 8 weeks! Only pick the strawberries when they are completely ripe to ensure you get the best flavor and juiciness.

It is best to harvest strawberries that are dry, early in the morning. Pick them with gentle hands, with the cap and part of the stem still attached to the berry. Store them in the fridge, or freeze them until they are ready to be devoured!

Now you know how to grow delicious strawberries!

Enjoy friends!

With love, Annette xxx