Planting strawberries

Planting and caring for strawberries: everything you need to know

Do you love the taste of freshly picked strawberries? With a few well-cared-for strawberry plants, you can soon enjoy your own sweet harvest. Strawberries are easy to grow, even in a pot on your balcony or patio. With the right care and location, you can maximise your plants’ yield. In this guide, you’ll learn how and when to plant strawberries, the care they need, and how to ensure a bountiful harvest.

Growing and sowing strawberries

How to grow strawberries

Bright red strawberries among green leaves are a delight to the eye and delicious in countless dishes. Not only are strawberries tasty, but they are also healthy, packed with vitamin C and antioxidants. More and more people are growing strawberries in their gardens, on their balconies, or patios. You can buy a ready-made plant or sow strawberries from seed yourself. How do you get started, and what do you need? Here, you’ll find everything you need to know about growing and caring for strawberries.

When to plant strawberries?

The best time to plant strawberries is from late July to mid-August. During this period, the young runners have developed enough roots to establish well. Would you prefer to start in spring? You can do that with potted strawberry plants. Just make sure they are properly hardened off before planting them outside.

Growing strawberries: what are the options?

Strawberries can be grown in the ground, in a greenhouse, in pots, or in hanging baskets. You can buy ready-grown plants or grow them from seed. Sowing takes more time but is rewarding as you get to experience the entire growth process. April is the best month to place the plants outside in a sheltered, well-drained spot.

The right soil for strawberries

Strawberries thrive in light, humus-rich soil with good drainage. Crop rotation is essential to prevent diseases. Avoid using fresh manure, as it attracts pests.

Sowing Strawberries: From Seed to Fruit

Sow strawberry seeds in late February in a seed tray. Do not cover them completely, as they need light to germinate. Keep the soil lightly moist and ensure a warm environment (18-20°C). Once the first leaves appear, transplant them into separate pots. From mid-May onwards, they can be moved outside.

Planting strawberries: step by step

In the ground

• Use high-quality compost or organic fertiliser to enrich the soil.
• Ensure the soil is loose and retains moisture well.
• Consider using mulch to reduce weeds.
• Plant strawberries 25-30 cm apart, with 50-60 cm between rows.
• Water regularly after planting.

In a (strawberry) pot

• Choose a spacious pot (at least 30 cm in diameter).
• Use high-quality potting compost and ensure good drainage with clay pebbles.
• Plant 3-5 plants per pot.
• Water regularly and feed with a specialised strawberry fertiliser.

Caring for strawberry plants: Tips!

Strawberries need sufficient water, but water at the base of the plants and avoid wetting the leaves or fruits to prevent mould. Feed the plants regularly and remove weeds. In pots, strawberries require additional nutrients. Harvest ripe strawberries with scissors and remove runners for healthier plants.

Nutrition for a good harvest

Feed your plants in March-April. Use a potassium-rich fertiliser for better fruiting. Avoid nitrogen-rich fertilisers, as they mainly stimulate leaf growth rather than fruit production.

Handy care tips

• Place straw under the plants to keep the fruits clean.
• Protect against slugs with slug pellets and birds with netting.
• Water at the base of the plants and avoid wet fruits.
• Remove rotten strawberries immediately to prevent mould.

After the harvest

After harvesting (in August), prune the old leaves to about 7.5 cm above the crown. Remove excess runners and replant them if desired. Hoe away weeds and fertilise the soil for the next season. Replace the plants every three years and choose a new location.

With the right care, you can enjoy an abundance of juicy strawberries from your garden or balcony every year!