Growing strawberries
Easy and rewarding: sun, good soil, the right depth and enough space.
How this site works. Every fact is in our own words and linked to its source, beside it. Growing advice comes mainly from the RHS, the UK’s gardening charity.
What to buy
Summer-fruiting and perpetual strawberries are sold as potted plants or as bare-root runners; alpines can also be grown from seed. RHS
Bare-root runners look like little clumps of roots with very few leaves. That is how they should look. RHS
Cold-stored runners, on sale from spring to early summer, can fruit about two months after planting. Plant them straight away. RHS
Buy plants from a reputable supplier, so the variety is true to type and the plants are free of disease. RHS
When to plant
The best times to plant are spring, late summer or early autumn. Plants put in during August or September have time to settle before fruiting the next year. RHS
Where to plant
They grow best, and taste sweetest, in a sheltered spot in full sun, though they will put up with some shade. RHS
Strawberries like fertile, well-drained, slightly acidic soil. On poor or heavy clay soil, raised beds are better. RHS
Strawberries are traditionally grown in rows in their own bed, but they also make a good edging for vegetable beds or flower borders. RHS
Getting the ground ready
Before planting, weed the ground and dig in two bucketfuls of well-rotted organic matter, such as garden compost, per square metre. RHS
Planting
With bare-root plants, trim the roots to 10cm (4in) if needed and spread them out in the hole. RHS
Depth matters. Plant the crown too deep and it will rot; too shallow and the plant will dry out quickly. RHS
Spacing
Space plants 35–40cm (14–16in) apart, in rows about 75cm (30in) apart. RHS
Work out how many plants fit your bed with the patch planner.
An earlier crop
Under cloches, strawberries fruit at least a week earlier than unprotected plants; in an unheated greenhouse about two weeks earlier. RHS
Indoors, pollinate the flowers by hand with a soft paintbrush, or take the covers off during the day so insects can reach them. RHS
Alpines from seed
Alpine strawberry seeds germinate at about 18°C (64°F), but germination can be slow and patchy. RHS
Our view: if you only have room for a few plants, put them in a pot by the back door. You will pick more of them before the birds and slugs do.
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