Always wanted to grow your own strawberries? Strawberries are one of the easiest fruits to grow and they're very happy in planters, so you don’t need a big garden or allotment to produce your own crop.
Start eating home-grown strawberries this summer with our beginner's guide...
Where to grow
It isn't hard to grow your own strawberries, all they really need is plenty of sun and a sheltered spot out of the wind. You can plant strawberries in almost any container, from planters to hanging baskets.
When to plant
Strawberries are normally grown from plants and planted in the spring or autumn. Check the variety of strawberries you’ve bought to see exactly when they should be planted.
How to plant
- Plant in fertile soil in rows about 35 – 45cm apart. Leave a 75cm gap between each row.
- Dig a hole for the plant (the depth of the hole should match the length of the roots). Place the plant in up to its crown then fill in with soil.
- Water well (drainage is important for strawberries, so make sure they don’t get waterlogged).
Caring for your strawberry plants
Caring for your strawberries is easy, but they do need frequent attention. Check on them regularly, water often and keep them covered with strawberry netting to stop the birds taking your tasty crop.
Using straw or weed suppressant on top of the soil is a great way of keeping the weeds at bay as summer approaches.
Picking your strawberries
Always pick strawberries as soon as they are ripe (when they are bright red all over) or they will rot on the plant. The best time to pick them is during the warmest part of the day because this is when they are at their most tasty.
Strawberry plants rot down quickly, so they're ideal for adding to your compost bin once you've harvested your crop.