Tips and Tricks for Growing Great Strawberries

Strawberries are a delicious and healthy fruit that can be easily grown in the UK. Whether you have a large garden or a small patio, you can enjoy juicy and sweet strawberries throughout the summer months.

Late March to June is a great time to plant strawberry runners and when looked after properly, you’ll see fruit in a few weeks. Plant them in the ground or hanging basket but remember to protect young fruit from slugs and snails.

Choosing the Right Variety

Strawberries are available as ‘everbearers’, plants that produce small crops over a longer period, summer fruiting varieties that produce heavy crops in the summer and ‘wild’ or Alpine varieties. The summer fruiting varieties are the most popular, producing large crops of the large red fruits you associate with growing strawberries.

There are many varieties of strawberries available, but not all of them are suitable for growing in the UK. When choosing a variety, look for ones that are hardy and disease-resistant. Some of the best varieties for the UK include Hapil, Cambridge Favourite, Vibrant, Alice, Pegasus, and Honeoye. You’ll most likely buy strawberries in the following ways:

· Potted young strawberry plants

· Runners look like little clumps of roots with very few leaves. Cold-stored runners are specially prepared to fruit 60 days after planting

· Alpine strawberries can be bought as young plants or seeds

Potted strawberry plants tend to be pricier and don’t make getting at bowls of tasty strawberries any quicker than planting runners.nmm

Preparing the Soil

Strawberries prefer well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Before planting, remove any weeds and add compost or well-rotted manure to the soil. Strawberries should be planted in a sunny location, but they can also tolerate partial shade.

Strawberries don’t have to be grown in the ground. Hanging baskets, or a purpose built planter such as a Vegtrug.

Strawberries are a perennial crop, meaning they will live longer than two years. That can mean years of tasty strawberries, so starting off well is important. Getting rid of the weeds will save you a lot of time and effort down the line.

Planting Your Strawberries

Strawberries can be planted in the UK from late March to late June. Plant them in rows or clusters, leaving about 30cm of space between plants – enough space so you can fan out the roots when you’re planting them.

For each plant, dig a hole that’s 2-3 inches deep and wide enough for the roots. Fill the hole with soil and water it well. After planting, check that the crown still sits above the soil surface. It’s crucial to ensure the crown sits slightly above the soil line.

Water well. The most important times for watering are when they’re being planted and when the fruits are filling out.

Caring for Your Strawberry Plants

In order to allow your plants to establish themselves, it is necessary to remove all the flowers that develop for a period of 4 to 6 weeks.

The production of flowers and fruits requires significant amounts of energy from the plants, and by removing them, you redirect this energy and the plant’s resources towards developing a robust root system, fostering healthy plants, and encouraging the growth of numerous runners.

Strawberries need regular watering, especially during dry spells. They also benefit from a layer of mulch around the plants, which helps to retain moisture and suppress weeds. In addition, you should feed your strawberries with a balanced fertiliser once a month during the growing season.

Strawberries are vulnerable to pests and diseases, including slugs, snails, and grey mould. To protect your plants, remove any dead leaves or fruit, and use a slug trap or copper tape around the bed. A layer of straw can also work.

Birds love the fruit and leaves from strawberries. Netting can be effective in preventing your plants being attacked by birds.

Harvesting Your Strawberries

Strawberries are ready to harvest when they are bright red and fully ripe. Pick them in the morning when they are cool and try to avoid damaging the fruit or the plant. Strawberries can be eaten fresh, used in baking, or frozen for later use.

Final Thoughts

With the right variety, soil preparation, and care, you can produce a bountiful harvest of delicious and healthy fruit. Just remember to water regularly, feed with fertiliser, and protect against pests and diseases. Happy growing.