If you love strawberries, then this guide will show you how to grow strawberries from scratch. Strawberries are a supermarket favourite, and they’re easy to grow at home. This guide will take you through everything from planting your own strawberry plants to looking after them once they’re established. You’ll be enjoying homegrown strawberries in no time!
When to plant strawberries
Planting strawberries is an easy process, but there are a few things you need to know before you get started.
First, strawberries should be planted in spring. They won’t grow as well if they’re planted later in the year. It’s also essential that they’re planted in a sunny spot with well-drained soil (if your garden doesn’t have good drainage naturally). If your soil is heavy clay or has high water content, it may be best to grow strawberries in raised beds or pots instead of directly in the ground.
Finally, when planting strawberry plants, make sure that there are at least four inches between each plant and eight inches between rows of strawberry plants (aside from organic varieties). This will ensure enough room for the runners that grow off each plant so they can spread and produce fruit more easily!
Preparing strawberry beds
To prepare your strawberry bed, you’ll need to do the following:
- Dig the soil. It should be about 8 inches deep and level with the ground around it. You can also add compost or other organic material to increase the fertility of your soil.
- Add lime if needed, as strawberries prefer alkaline soils (this will help prevent leaf scorch). Spread 1-2 inches of limestone over the top of your prepared bed and water it well until it is completely absorbed into your soil base. This process can take up to two weeks depending on how much lime you put down (since there are varying degrees of acidity in limestone). You need to aim for a pH between 5.0 and 6.0.
- Fertilize with standard 5-10-5 fertilizer after cultivation, as well as before planting each year once winter has passed. The amount will depend on how much rain there was during previous seasons; more rain means less fertilizer is needed! Apply 3 lbs per 100 sq ft every spring for The best results!
If you want to save room in your garden, there are some small options: strawberry pots and strawberry barrels are both great options if space is an issue!
Re-Planting bare roots.
Planting bare roots is most effectively done in the autumn but can be planted in spring and summer as well. It should be noted that planting them in winter is not recommended, as the roots will have no time to establish themselves before they freeze over. Doing this is the exact same method in the planting section above.
Tools and supplies needed to grow strawberries
ph soil tester
Basic gardening tool set
Strawberry Seeds
How do I look after strawberry plants?
A strawberry plant is a perennial, so it will grow year after year. However, you need to keep it healthy and happy in order for it to produce fruit. Here are some tips on how to do this:
- Water your strawberry plants regularly. The soil should be moist at all times but not saturated, as this can lead to root rot and fungi problems.
- Weeds compete with strawberries and reduce the amount of light reaching them, which increases the chances of a fungal disease spreading through the plants’ leaves or roots (and possibly into the fruit). Weed regularly by hand or using a strimmer if there are lots of weeds growing close together – this will help prevent fungal diseases from developing on leaves above ground level too!
Go grow strawberries – it’s simple!
the simple facts to growing your own strawberries are:
- A sunny position in the garden. The plants are shade-tolerant and can tolerate partial shade but will be much more productive with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day.
- Soil that drains well and has a pH between 5.0 and 6.0 (slightly acidic). Avoid heavy clay soils and very dry sandy ones as these may not retain enough moisture for the strawberry plants to grow well. If your soil is too acidic or alkaline, this can be amended by adding peat moss or ground limestone, respectively, to improve drainage if needed.
- Water regularly
- Keep weeds and pests away.
So there you have it, growing strawberries is a great hobby and a rewarding way to save money. The plants can be grown in pots on your patio or on the ground in your garden. It’s easy to grow strawberry plants from seed or maintain an established plant.
Whatever method you choose, ensure that the soil is slightly acidic and well drained before planting your new plants into their final positions (preferably raised beds). We hope this article has helped give you some ideas on how best to do this job!
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