Strawberry Growing Guide

Fragaria ananassa

Crop Rotation Group

Miscellaneous ●

Soil

Well-drained fertile soil enriched with compost, slightly acidic preferred.

Position

Sunny for best ripening, although will grow in partial shade.

Frost tolerant

Winter hardy, though plants go dormant from late fall to early spring.

Feeding

In autumn and again in early spring, mulch established plants with rich compost. Allow plants to rest in midsummer.

Spacing

Single Plants: 50cm (1' 7") each way (minimum)
Rows: 45cm (1' 5") with 60cm (1' 11") row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Can be raised from seed but most people use new plants, or produce their own from runners which existing plants put out during summer. Usually need to be planted by autumn for a crop the following year, although good bought-in plants can be planted in spring and still produce a crop.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Can be used as a ground cover beneath grapes or apple trees, or managed as a perpetual bed. In late summer, remove weeds and withered leaves, and thin runners to no more than 3 per plant. Lift and transplant extra runners.

Harvesting

Gather ripe fruits in the morning, when they are cool, and refrigerate immediately. Wash in cool water just before eating.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Strawberry

Aphids (General)

Earwig

Slug

Snail

Vine Weevil