Nothing beats the taste of fresh strawberries, especially in summer. If you want to enjoy instant pickings, you can learn how to grow strawberries at home. In fact, the best strawberries are grown on site because they have a rich flavor and sweetness that simply cannot be compared to those in the supermarket. Plus, once you know how to grow strawberries, you can save money on grocery bills in the long run.
Strawberries are fairly easy to grow and the best time to plant is spring or fall, depending on your growing area. They can be planted directly in the ground, raised beds, pots or even in hanging baskets. This makes it the perfect fruit to grow on balconies or small outdoor spaces. Best of all, you’ll have a constant supply of strawberries ready to pick for those refreshing treats.
Whether in the garden, the bed or in a pot, here’s how to grow strawberries in four easy steps for a juicy summer harvest.
If you prefer local foods, check out how to grow tomatoes in pots and how to plant potatoes for tasty meals.
How to grow strawberries in the garden
1. Choose your strawberry plant
Although you can grow strawberries from seed, most people opt to purchase a small potted plant or runners from the local garden center or nursery. Pot-grown plants are young, established strawberries, while runners are long-rooted seedlings taken from strawberry plants. These tend to be the cheapest option, however, they can take a bit longer to grow and harvest.
If you want a big summer harvest, it is recommended that you buy a June plant to give you the most strawberries. But if you want small harvests throughout the year, it’s best to buy a remontant plant that will produce fruit in spring and fall.
2. Choose a sunny location in your garden
Next, find a sunny spot outside. Strawberries need 6-10 hours of direct sunlight, so choose a sunny, well-drained spot outdoors. Ideally, the soil should have a pH between 5.5 and 6.5 for a healthy harvest. If the pH is too low, it is recommended to mix lime or small amounts of dolomitic limestone into the soil. And if the pH is too high, add sulfur or peat moss to the soil. If in doubt, you can always use a soil test kit like this SONKIR Soil pH Meter ($12, Amazon).
POINT: Never plant strawberries in a plot where you have grown tomatoes, potatoes, peppers or eggplants within the last four years. These can spread fungus to your plants.
3. Plant strawberries
Then, use a trowel to dig a hole in the ground deep and wide enough for the roots. This should ideally be between 4 and 8 inches deep, depending on the length of the runner’s roots.
If the plant is in a pot, use the pot as a guide to determine the depth of the hole. Carefully remove the strawberry plant from the pot and place the roots in the ground. Cover the roots with soil to cover the tops and water immediately. The crown (or thick green stem) should stay above ground.
4. Space the plants
When planting in a dedicated ground patch or raised bed, plant each strawberry 20 inches apart. If you have more than one row of strawberry plants, leave 4 feet of space between rows to ensure the plants have enough room to grow.
How to grow strawberries in a pot/container
1. Choose the right pot with drainage
First, find a large pot or container with a diameter of about 16 to 18 inches to allow enough space for the plant to grow. Make sure there are holes in the bottom of the pot for the soil to drain properly. Then fill one-third of the pot with broken pottery or small stones to aid drainage.
2. Fill the pot with soil
3. Transplant the strawberry into the pot
Carefully remove the strawberry from its original container, loosening the soil around the roots with your fingers. Place the plant in the pot hole before covering the tops of the roots with soil.
This should leave the crown of the plant above the ground. If you have a large pot or planter for multiple plants, space the strawberries about 10 to 12 inches apart.
4. Water and place in a sunny place
Water the plants well and place them in a sunny spot. Strawberries need 6-10 hours of sunlight per day, so place your pots on a porch, garden, or balcony where they can receive ample sunlight. When it’s cooler, you can bring the pots indoors, as long as they’re near a sunny windowsill. Also, strawberries should be watered regularly, with about 1 inch of water every week.
POINT: Water only the base of the plant, not the fruits and leaves, as this may cause fungus to develop.
When are strawberries ready to be picked?
When most of the strawberry has turned red, it means it is ripe and ready to be picked. Carefully twist the stem to remove it and be sure to wash it in cold water before eating.
Avoid leaving ripe berries on the vine, as they will spoil quickly. Lo and behold, come summer you should have a bowl of juicy, fresh strawberries to enjoy!
If you are also interested in indoor plants, check out our guides on caring for succulents, how to repot succulents and how to plant grass seed and get a greener yard. We also cover how to care for air plants. If you have favorite plants that are wilting, check out our top tips on how to save a dying plant.
