Strawberry plants are generally planted in rich, moist soil, spaced 12 to 18 inches apart, as they will shoot out runners quickly. For a quick harvest, it’s better to go with an 8-12 inch spacing to maximize the number of plants. If you’re planting strawberry runners, spread the roots out in the hole and make sure the crown of the plant is resting at soil level. STRAWBERRY FAQ, Growing Strawberries Indoors (Hydroponics), reasons you should consider growing your own strawberries, Recommended Strawberry Varieties by State, How Many Strawberries do Strawberry Plants Produce, keeping birds, bugs, and other pests away from your strawberries, 4 Secrets to Growing Loads of Organic Strawberries, Mulching Strawberry Plants with Straw for Winter. And of course the fruit is extremely popular – home-grown strawberries taste delicious and are great value too! Pull out any weeds that do emerge. Keep Strawberry Plants Healthy. Use a trowel to dig a hole big enough to accommodate the roots of the plant, and if you’re growing strawberries in the ground, plant them 45cm (18") apart, leaving 75cm (30") between rows. If you've planted  cold-stored runners in late spring to early summer, leave the flowers on. Strawberries are tolerant of different soil types, although they prefer loam. RHS Registered Charity no. Nigel Slater’s soft set Strawberry jam is easy to make and tastes of summer. View all Strawberries at the RHS Plants Shop. Now take the large plant or several small plants and plant them on the very top. It isn’t always easy to tell if the plant is alive and healthy, but there are some hints that can clue you into the welfare of the plants. Strawberries are a favorite fruit for the home gardener, and Sarah eagerly awaits the first crop. This will also help suppress weeds. In this method, strawberry plants are planted about 1-1/2' apart, in rows about 4' apart. The important thing is to plant early enough so your plants can get established before the really harsh temperatures hit. Although this plant produces juicy and sweet fruit throughout the year, it isn’t the easiest to grow. This can kill the plants. There are early, mid-, and late fruiting cultivars cropping from early to mid-summer. Trim the roots lightly to 10cm (4in) if necessary, then spread them out in the hole. Tissue Culture Propagation. Plant the strawberries so their roots are just buried, about 30-45cm apart, then firm the soil around them. Also water during dry periods in the growing season. Seedlings will send out runners, or ‘daughter’ plants, which in turn will send out their own runners. The crops are not so heavy as the summer-fruiting ones and the fruits are smaller, with the plants less likely to produce runners. Grey mould ( botrytis) is a common disease especially in damp or humid conditions. Pinch off all flowers until midsummer for the first season to encourage strong root and top growth. The everbearing strawberry plant is perfect for strawberry lovers—it bears fruit two to three times per year, giving you plenty of strawberries for recipes like strawberry smoothies and strawberry shortcake.. Make mounds about 10cm high for strawberries to be planted on. Strawberries are sprawling plants. The following table lists the date ranges when you should plant strawberries according to USDA zones. Runners look like little pieces of roots with very few leaves. HOW TO PLANT STRAWBERRIES Provide adequate space for sprawling. Growing strawberries like to set out runners. Strawberries love a sunny location and rich, well-drained soil. ‘Elsanta’:Mid season - The most widely grown commercial cultivar, it has superb flavour and large yields of glossy, red fruit. Small containers will need only one to two plants, but you can fill all the openings in a strawberry jar. Remove damaged plant parts before they can become infected. Adult vine weevils eat notches in the edges of leaves, while plump, creamy white larvae with brown heads cause more damage to the roots, on which they feed. Spring planting is the most common time for planting strawberry plants and so depending on your area it will likely be best to plant in March or April. Don’t be alarmed, this is how they should look. You can also buy cold-stored runners. Fruits during early summer. Steps for How to Plant Strawberries . Space rows 75cm (30in) apart. Videos will load automatically. Set plants out 20 inches apart to leave room for runners and leave 4 feet between rows. ‘Florence’:Late season - A late summer strawberry with good disease resistance. Plant your strawberries in a container filled with potting mix, or in a sunny, well-draining spot in your garden. Plant strawberries in spring or fall based on your growing zone. Making Nursery-Mature Plants. These will produce strawberries in 60 days, reverting to their natural cropping period the following year. During the growing season, give strawberry plants a liquid potash feed – such as a tomato feed – every 7 to 14 days. If your soil drains poorly, you can plant strawberries on mounds 5 or 6 inches tall. ‘Mara de Bois’:Pepetual - Well liked for its crop of intensely flavoured fruit that is said to be reminiscent of wild strawberries. ‘Cambridge Favourite’ AGM:Mid season - A traditional favourite, this variety can have a few disease problems but the fruit is juicy and possesses an excellent flavour. Mould can also damage ripening fruit such as strawberries. CLICK PHOTO TO PLAY VIDEO. University of Maine Cooperative Extension discusses how to plant a strawberry bed. Plant bare-rooted strawberry runners in spring or late summer/autumn. Spade soil to a depth of 8-10 inches, working in plenty of compost or well-rotted manure. Perpetual strawberries – sometimes called everbearers – produce small flushes of fruits from early summer to early autumn. In the ground and raised beds: Space strawberries at least a foot apart from each other. As these plants mature, they will drape over the sides and bush out hiding the water tube and adding beauty to your finished pot. You can get special strawberry growing pots with balconies for individual plants. How to Plant Strawberries No matter what type of strawberry you grow, select a spot in full sun (that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight every day) for your bed that has moist, well-drained soil. Avoid windy sites which will prevent pollinating insects from reaching the flowers. Strawberry plants require 6-10 hours a day of direct sunlight, so choose your planting site accordingly. Plant the Strawberries In early spring, dig small holes every 24" in the rows. Avoid planting in windy positions. Avoid areas prone to frost and soils that have previously grown potatoes, chrysanthemums, or tomatoes because they are all prone to the disease verticillium wilt. Add a general purpose fertiliser such as Growmore at 100g per sq m (3oz per sq yd). Keep the roots in water to avoid drying out during the planting process. Measure out planting holes 35cm (14in) apart. Growing Strawberries from Seed Firstly, don't economise on seed raising mix. In early spring, apply general fertiliser such as Growmore at a rate of 50g per sq m (2oz per sq yd). Cut out infected areas into healthy tissue and clear up infected debris. Strawberry plants can be spaced as close as 8 inches or as far apart as several feet. If squirrels are a problem, protect with wire mesh. Strawberries are traditionally grown in rows directly into garden soil. In the bottom of the hole, create a mound … ‘Pegasus’ AGM:Mid season - A good, reliable cropper with excellent disease resistance, particularly to mildew and verticillium wilt. Incorporate organic matter … You can start strawberries from either bare-root crowns or seedlings, but seedlings started in small 3- to 4-inch pots will establish themselves in containers faster than bare-root crowns. Plant strawberries in sandy, loamy soil with a pH between 5.0-7.0. Mon – Fri | 9am – 5pm, Join the RHS today and support our charity. Plant dormant, bare-root strawberry plants 18 to 24 inches apart in 3- to 6-inch-high, 3- to 4-foot-wide raised beds. A foot-wide (30cm) hanging basket will hold three to four plants. Fill the container with loose, loamy potting mix that will hold water but will drain away any excess. Ideally, begin working in aged manure or compost a couple months before planting. Episode 1: How to Plant Strawberries. In-ground gardens, raised beds, and containers are all excellent growing areas. Strawberries are tolerant of different soil types, although they prefer loam. How to plant and grow strawberries Succulent, highly fragrant and bursting with sweetness, the strawberry is one of the easiest plants to grow, and also one of the most rewarding. Black resting spores survive over winter. Place … The plants will grow until they eventually form thick, lush rows about 2' wide. Soil Fumigation. Eat them as soon as possible; they do not keep well once ripened. Late frosts can damage growth, leading to it dying or being distorted. Most do not keep their shape when frozen. Afterwards, water the strawberries regularly to keep the soil moist, and pull out any weeds by hand, making sure to remove them by the roots. Planting bare root strawberries properly is the key to ensuring that they wake from their dormant state and begin berry production as soon as possible. How to Plant Garden Strawberries . Join the RHS today and support our charitable work, Keep track of your plants with reminders & care tips – all to help you grow successfully, For the latest on RHS Shows in 2020 and 2021, read more, RHS members get free access to RHS Gardens, Free entry to RHS members at selected times », Reduced prices on RHS Garden courses and workshops, General enquiries Well you have made it to the top section. In poor soils grow in raised beds, which improves drainage and increases rooting depth. You can buy runners from late summer to early spring, and they should be planted in early autumn, or early spring (avoid planting in winter when the ground is wet and cold). How to Plant Strawberries Space plants about 12 inches apart down a row. ‘Symphony’(PBR) AGM:Late season - Acultivar from Scotland with attractive, glossy, red fruit and excellent flavour. Planting at the correct depth is important: if the crown is planted too deeply it will rot; if it is planted too shallowly the plants will dry out and die. Strawberry plants will spread out about 2 feet in every direction. The higher the number, the closer the zone is to the equator. ‘Honeoye’ AGM:Early croppers - A darkish berry with excellent flavour. Prepare the soil by digging in plenty of well-rotted garden compost and apply a dressing of sulphate of potash fertiliser. Water well for the first few weeks. Plant strawberries along the edge of a container so that the fruit can hang off the side. Give strawberries room for runners by planting them 18 inches apart. times. Strawberries do best in well-drained soil so plant them into soil that has been mounded up slightly. They have a short but heavy cropping period over two or three weeks. Also remove the straw mulch, fibre mat, or black polythene, to prevent a build-up of pests and diseases. This article will show you how to plant them, ongoing care, propagation, pests and diseases and our strawberry growing calendar. To plant strawberries in containers, choose smaller plants and don't overcrowd the container. Rooting and Finishing Tissue Culture Plants. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place. Alternatively, try growing in containers or growing-bags. This isn't necessary with autumn fruiting plants, instead just remove old leaves in the end of season clear up. A multi-tiered prefab raised bed filled with topsoil and compost is perfect for raising strawberries. Strawberry Plants Producing Runners but no Strawberries. How Many Strawberries Do Strawberry Plants Produce? 222879/SC038262. Plasticulture: grow bare root strawberry plants on plastic. Set the plants so that soil covers the roots but the crown remains above the soil. In USDA zones 6 and colder, plant outside in the early spring. More information on propagating your own plants from runners. Perpetual strawberries are useful for extending the season. Buy plants from a reputable supplier so that cultivars are true to type plants are disease free. Dig out a hole large enough to accommodate the roots. Strawberries are traditionally grown in rows directly into garden soil. Planting the Strawberries 1 Dig a small hole for each plant 12–18 inches (30–46 cm) apart. In zone 6 and further north, plant them outside during the spring months to ensure the plants are well-rooted by the following year. Strawberries grow best in loose, well-draining, slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.8. Strawberry plants require 6-10 hours a day of direct sunlight, so choose your planting site accordingly. Netting may be required to protect from birds. Spores enter plants via damaged tissue, wounds or open flowers. Keep the soil moist and grow in cooler locations. Strawberry plants can be grown almost anywhere – in borders, containers or hanging baskets. Plant the strawberry plants so their crowns are just above the soil surfac… Strawberries are so versatile – they just need sun, shelter, and fertile, well-drained soil. Mounding improves drainage and increases air circulation around plants. Use a trowel and make a small hole that will fit the roots of your plant. Planting in windy positions can deter pollinators from visiting flowers. Summer-fruiting varieties have the largest  fruit. New strawberries rooted into pots can be overwintered in a greenhouse or cold frame then planted out in spring - particularly useful if winters are harsh in your area. Alternatively, try growing in containers or growing-bags. One advantage of containers is that they allow you to move strawberries to follow the sunshine and bring them indoors during the winter. Water frequently while new plants are establishing. If you’d rather spend less on plants and don’t mind a bit of a wait, it’s fine to space the plants a few feet apart. Fruits are firm and have excellent sweet flavour. Rotate your strawbery patch onto fresh ground to minimise the risk of disease build up in the soil. Apply 300g (approx. ‘Alice’ AGM:Mid season - One of the best midsummer strawberries with a sweet flavour and juicy texture with good disease resistance. As fruits start to develop, tuck straw or fibre mats underneath plants to keep fruit clean. Can be susceptible to mildew. More information on propagating your own plants from runners. Ensure that the base of the crown rests lightly on the surface before firming in gently. Pick strawberries when they are bright red all over, ideally during the warmest part of the day because this is when they are at their most tasty. Strawberries are incredibly easy to grow. These can be planted from late spring to early summer and will fruit 60 days after planting. Avoid windy sites which will prevent pollinating insects from reaching the flowers. 020 3176 5800 Simply impressive - this Strawberry and mascarpone tart is simple to make but looks impressive. The crown of the plant, which is the swollen stem base, must be left at the surface of the soil and not buried too deep. Take off any netting so birds can feed on any pests. The following table tells you when to plant strawberry plants according to the U.S. agricultural zones: Strawberry Planting Guide: When to Plant Strawberry Plants. Cover all roots but keep the middle of the crown (the central growing bud where the leaves begin to emerge) at soil level. Appears as a white powdery deposit over the leaf surface and leaves become stunted and shrivel. Position your plants about 30cm apart, in full sun. ‘Hapil’ AGM:Mid season - This mid-season cultivar produces heavy yields of light red fruits. Ideally, begin working in aged manure or compost a couple months before planting. If planting in the autumn or early spring, remove the first flush of flowers of perpetual strawberries, but remove flowers of summer strawberries only if the plants are weak. How to plant strawberries: dig out a hole big enough to spread out the roots of each strawberry plant. References Soil should drain well and not become waterlogged after rain. Keep the soil moist but not saturated. Water the plants in well. In most climates, gardeners can plant strawberries as perennials. After cropping has finished, cut off old leaves from summer-fruiting strawberries to allow fresh leaves to develop. How to Plant Strawberries. is hardy and has good disease resistance, although it can be susceptible to mildew. Perfect for gardens of all sizes and climates, a strawberry can be grown in a pot, planter, hanging basket, bag or garden beds. Remove any damaged growth and protect the bed with a double layer of horticultural fleece if frost is forecast. The large, bright, glossy fruits have good flavour. RHS Garden Hyde Hall Spring and Orchid Show, Free entry to RHS members at selected The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. In poor soils grow in raised beds, which improves drainage and increases rooting depth. Allow for lots of space between the plants when planting. ‘Aromel’ AGM:Pepetual - A cultivar popular for its delicious flavour. Strawberries can be bought as potted plants or bare-rooted runners. Plant in well draining, rich soil. Expect strawberry plants to crop successfully for four years before replacing them. By David Marks Strawberries are a relatively easy crop to grow and they produce very tasty fruit quickly. In May, protect your bed with fleece if overnight frost threatens developing fruits. A usually grey, fuzzy fungal growth which can begin as pale or discoloured patches. 1 cup) per square metre of garden and mix thoroughly into the soil. 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