Family: Rosaceae
Binomial name: Fragaria sp.
Life Cycle: Perennial
Strawberries can also be grown from runners, the year-old roots and rhizomes of plants that are dug up and sold bare-rooted (without soil). To learn how to grow strawberries from runners, click here.
Strawberries can be grown year-round in most climates. Avoid planting in extremely hot or cold weather which can affect germination and growth. Use the table below to identify the best time of year to sow strawberries in your climate.
JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cool | ||||||||||||
Temperate | ||||||||||||
Sub-Tropical | ||||||||||||
Tropical | ||||||||||||
Arid |
Strawberry plants are best grown in full sun. Choose a location that will receive at least 6 hours of full sun each day.
Strawberry plants need a well drained soil enriched with plenty of organic matter. Prepare soil by weeding it thoroughly, digging it over to loosen it and adding aged animal manure or compost. Keep the area free of weeds until planting.
Strawberry plants can be grown in containers. If possible choose a variety that’s recommended for container growing. Use a good quality potting mix and make sure your container is large enough for mature plants; a minimum of 10 litres is recommended for strawberries. During the growing season, keep in mind that container grown plants may need additional fertiliser to encourage healthy growth.
Strawberry seeds do not require any treatment (eg soaking, stratification) before sowing.
Strawberry seeds grow best when they are raised in trays or other containers and transplanted to the garden once established.
Tip: Strawberry seeds are quite small. Handle them carefully to avoid them blowing away or being washed away. Mix seeds with sand or fine potting mix prior to sowing or use a seed dispenser, damp toothpick or tweezers to help space them evenly. Press lightly into the surface after sowing so that the seeds make good contact with the soil. Take extra care to make sure seeds and seedlings don’t dry out. Read more about sowing small seeds here.
Strawberry plants need regular watering during the growing season. Do not let soil dry out; keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply in the early morning or late afternoon. Avoid watering the leaves of plants to avoid fungal diseases. Learn more about watering here.
If soil was well prepared no extra fertiliser should be necessary. In poor soil or to give your plants an extra boost, application of a balanced fertiliser or one formulated for fruit and vegetables can be beneficial:
Tip: mulch under ripening fruit with straw or sugar cane to help prevent rot.
Strawberries should be ready to harvest in approximately 140-160 days.
Starwberries are ready to harvest when they are fully coloured and fragrant. Harvest fruit by cutting with snips/secateurs or by twisting to separate from the stem. Harvest regularly to encourage more fruit. Strawberries are best eaten soon after they are harvested. Strawberries can be stored short term in a container in the fridge. For longer term storage, strawberries can be frozen or made into preserves.
Like all plants, strawberry is susceptible to some pests, diseases and other problems. Below is a list of the most common problems gardeners encounter when growing strawberry plants:
$2.00 (Min order 5)
Bulk discounts available