Strawberry
Fragaria x ananassa · Rosaceae
- Plant outFrom 4 weeks before the last frost until the last frostMar 13 – Apr 16
- Plant in autumn6–8 weeks before the first autumn frostAug 30 – Sep 19
- Space30 –45 cm (12–18 in) apart
- Harvest60–120 days after plantingMay 12 – Sep 4
Description
The strawberry is a widely appreciated fruit known for its sweet flavor, bright red color, and juicy texture. It is a perennial plant that produces small white flowers which develop into aggregate fruits. The fruit is actually a collection of numerous tiny "seeds" called achenes that are embedded on its surface.
Growing Conditions
10–30 cm (4–12 in) tall, 30–45 cm (12–18 in) wide
- Smallest
- Largest
Full sun, 6+ hours
Tolerates part sun
Moderate
Keep evenly moist, not soggy.
Ideal 15–26 °C (59–79 °F)
Survives down to −40 °C (−40 °F).
pH 5.5–6.5 · acidic
Where it Grows
Planting
When to Plant
- Spring: Ideal for temperate climates after the last frost.
- Fall: Suitable for mild climates, allowing plants to establish before winter.
How to Plant
- Choose a well-drained location with full sun.
- Prepare the soil by adding organic matter and maintaining a pH of 5.5 to 6.8.
- Space the plants 12-18 inches apart in rows 3 feet apart.
- Plant in holes deep enough to cover the root system without burying the crown.
Growth Timeline
- Growing in the garden 60–120 days
- Harvest 2–20 weeks
Planting Calendar
- Plant outdoors: from 4 weeks before the last frost until the last frost
- Autumn planting: 6–8 weeks before the first autumn frost
- Plant out: Mar 13 – Apr 16
- Autumn planting: Aug 30 – Sep 19
- Harvest: May 12 – Sep 4
Care
Care Calendar
- Mulch · Mar 27 – Apr 30
Tuck clean straw under developing fruit, keeping the crowns uncovered. - Feed · Apr 10 – May 14
Feed everbearing and day-neutral plants lightly as growth resumes. - Feed · Jun 5 – Jul 23
Feed June-bearing plants after harvest to support next year's crop. - Prune · May 8 – Aug 20
Remove unwanted runners so plants do not overcrowd the bed. - Protect · Nov 1 – Nov 28
After plants become dormant, cover them loosely with straw in cold-winter regions.
Watering
- Water consistently, about 1-2 inches per week, increasing during dry spells.
- Avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal diseases.
Weeding
- Regularly remove weeds by hand or use mulch to suppress growth.
Mulching
- Use straw or wood chips to retain moisture and control weeds.
Fertilizing
- Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring and side-dress as needed during the growing season.
Thinning
- Thin out runners to encourage larger fruit production by leaving the strongest.
Pest Management
- Monitor for pests such as aphids, spider mites, and slugs.
- Use organic pesticides or introduce beneficial insects when needed.
Harvesting
- Harvest when the berries are fully red and fragrant.
- Pick by gently twisting the stem above the fruit to avoid damage.
Growing in Containers
Grows well in a pot of at least 5 litres (1.3 US gallons), with drainage holes. Best kept outdoors.
Propagation
From runners
- Choose a healthy parent plant.
- Pin a runner's young plantlet onto soil or into a small pot.
- Keep the soil moist while roots develop.
- Cut the rooted plantlet from the runner.
- Transplant it with its crown at soil level.
By division
- Lift a healthy plant with several crowns.
- Separate the crowns, keeping roots attached to each.
- Replant each division with its crown at soil level.
- Water thoroughly.
From seed
- Choose seed, especially for alpine strawberries.
- Sow it on the surface of moist seed-starting mix.
- Keep it moist until seedlings emerge.
- Pot up seedlings once they have true leaves.
- Harden them off before planting outdoors.
Companion Plants
Good neighbors
- Borage: Its flowers attract bees that can also pollinate nearby strawberry blossoms.
- Lettuce: It can be harvested from spaces between young strawberry plants before their foliage fills in.
Keep apart from
- Tomatoes: Avoid planting strawberries where tomatoes have grown because both can host Verticillium wilt.
- Potatoes: Avoid planting strawberries where potatoes have grown because both can host Verticillium wilt.
Common Problems
- Fuzzy gray mold
- Spots on leaves
- Wilting
- Soft or rotting stems
Gray mold, also called Botrytis blight, is a fungal disease caused most commonly by Botrytis cinerea. It affects many…
- White powdery coating
- Yellowing leaves
- Curled or cupped leaves
- Distorted new growth
Powdery mildew is a group of fungal diseases, not a single species. Different fungi infect different hosts, including…
- Holes in leaves
- Slime trails
- Stems chewed or cut through
Slugs and snails are soft-bodied mollusks that feed on many garden plants. Snails carry a visible shell; most slugs…
- Holes in leaves
- Stems chewed or cut through
- Flowers or buds dropping
Birds are a class of animals, not a single pest species. In gardens, their effects depend on the species, season, and…
- Yellowing leaves
- Brown or crispy leaf edges
- Wilting
- Stunted growth
Verticillium wilt is a soilborne disease caused mainly by the fungi Verticillium dahliae and V. albo-atrum. The fungi…
- Fungal diseases: Such as powdery mildew and gray mold.
- Insect pests: Including aphids and spider mites.
- Blight: Leaf blight and fruit rot can affect yield.
Nutrition
Nutritional Benefits
- Rich source of vitamin C and antioxidants.
- Supports heart health and enhances skin health.
Nutritional Composition (per 100g)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 32 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 7.68 g |
| Sugars | 4.89 g |
| Fiber | 2.0 g |
| Protein | 0.67 g |
| Fat | 0.3 g |
| Vitamin C | 58.8 mg |
| Calcium | 16 mg |
| Iron | 0.41 mg |
Varieties
Produces a concentrated early crop of small, flavorful berries.
- early
- sweet
Yields firm berries suited to cooler growing regions.
- early
- productive
Produces a concentrated crop of large berries.
- midseason
- large berries
Performs well in regions with mild winters.
- large berries
- mild-winter climates
Typically gives a spring crop followed by another in late summer.
- repeat cropping
- cold hardy
Fruits repeatedly through the growing season when temperatures are suitable.
- firm berries
- repeat cropping
Produces several flushes of large berries during the growing season.
- productive
- repeat cropping
Produces large berries over an extended season in suitable weather.
- firm berries
- repeat cropping
More about varieties
- June-bearing: Standard variety producing a single large crop in late spring.
- Everbearing: Produces fruit continuously throughout the growing season.
- Day-neutral: Produces fruit irrespective of day length.
Health Benefits
- Boosts immune function.
- May reduce the risk of chronic diseases through antioxidant properties.
- Promotes digestion due to high fiber content.
Fun Facts
- Strawberries are the only fruit with seeds on the outside.
- A serving of strawberries can provide more vitamin C than an orange.
- The world's largest strawberry was grown in Japan, weighing in at 250 grams!
Notice an error or have a question about Strawberry? Contact us