{"id":11347,"date":"2020-04-04T04:12:00","date_gmt":"2020-04-03T18:12:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gardens.theownerbuildernetwork.co\/?p=11347"},"modified":"2025-10-30T21:14:33","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T11:14:33","slug":"grow-your-own-strawberries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theownerbuildernetwork.co\/gardens\/2020\/04\/04\/grow-your-own-strawberries\/","title":{"rendered":"Grow Your Own Strawberries"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"The
The best strawberries you will ever taste will have to come from your garden. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Who doesn’t like strawberries? They are available in just about every supermarket and they are delicious. But if you want the best-tasting strawberries, you’ll have to grow your own. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s because fully ripened, home-grown strawberries have a rich, aromatic flavor that no strawberry in the supermarket can ever match. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Relishing\nthe melt-in-your-mouth juiciness of freshly picked strawberries is just one\nreason to grow your own. Strawberries are nutritious, as well. They brim with vitamin\nC and manganese and contain folate (vitamin B9) and potassium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starting\nYour Strawberry Patch<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The\nsturdy strawberry plant flourishes in properly prepared beds or rows. You can also\nuse them as edible edgings or let them sprawl over the top of a wall in your\ngarden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best strategy for planting strawberries is to establish new plants at the beginning of each season. Experts recommend buying young plants from a nursery, especially for novice gardeners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The sturdy strawberry plant flourishes in properly prepared beds or rows. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Planting\nStrawberries<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You\ncan plant strawberries in spring or fall based on your growing zone. The plants\nrequire at least 6 to 10 hours of sunlight during the peak summer season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strawberries\nthrive in soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7. If necessary, amend your soil in\nadvance of planting. If soils in your area are naturally alkaline, it would be\nbest to grow strawberries in half-barrels or other large containers filled with\ncompost-enriched potting soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nplanting site must be well-drained. Raised beds are a particularly good option\nfor strawberry plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"If
If soils in your area are naturally alkaline, it would be best to grow strawberries in half-barrels or other large containers filled with compost-enriched potting soil. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The plants prefer the morning sun with some shade in the afternoon. If your soil has is mostly clay, work in some vermiculite, perlite<\/a>, and about 4 inches of compost to improve the drainage. If you have sandy soil in your garden, rake in some compost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nroots of your seedlings shouldn\u2019t be longer than 8 inches. Trim them if\nnecessary. Make planting holes deep and wide enough to accommodate the entire\nroot system without bending. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nroots should be covered with soil, but not the crown. Do not bury the crown of\nthe plant or it could rot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Set the plants out 20 inches apart to leave room for runners and leave 4 feet between rows. Strawberries are sprawling plants. The seedlings will produce runners, or \u2018daughter\u2019 plants. These will, in turn, will send out their own runners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nleaves, flowers, and fruit of the plant must be exposed to light and fresh air.\nBe sure to water the plants well at the time of planting to minimize transplant\nshock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"
If you have sandy soil in your garden, rake in some compost. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Caring\nfor Strawberry Plants<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll\nneed to water your plants regularly. They need about one inch of water each week.\nKeep the beds mulched to allow the soil to retain moisture and keep weeds at\nbay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moisture is important because of the plant\u2019s shallow roots. Strawberry plants need adequate water when the runners and flowers are developing – and again in the fall when they mature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You also need to be diligent about weeding. Experts recommend that you weed by hand, especially in the first months after planting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fertilize\nyour plot with all-purpose granules for robust growth. In warm weather, berries\nripen in about 30 days after the blossoms are fertilized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Keep
Keep the beds mulched to allow the soil to retain moisture and keep weeds at bay. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ensuring\na Good Harvest<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the first year, pick off the blossoms, says the Old Farmer’s Alamanac<\/em>. If you do not allow the plant to bear fruit over the first year, they will spend their energies on developing vigorous roots. The plants will then yield more fruit in the second year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should eliminate daughter plants as needed. First and second generations typically produce higher yields. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should try to keep the daughter plants about 10 inches apart. You can use row covers to protect the blossoms and fruit from birds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"In
In the first year, pick off the blossoms. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Winter\nCare<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Strawberry\nplants are perennial. They live through multiple seasons. They are naturally\ncold-hardy and will survive cold winter temperatures. If your area has mild\nwinters, little care is needed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If\nyou experience snow, cover your plants with burlap. The mulch will help to\nretain moisture in the soil over the winter without freezing the root system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\ndon\u2019t need to water your strawberry plants during winter. Remove the burlap and\napply mulch again after the last frosts fall in your region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Strawberry
Strawberry plants are naturally cold-hardy. They will survive cold winter temperatures. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Harvesting\nStrawberries<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your strawberries will be ready for harvesting 4 to 6 weeks after blossoming. Harvest ripe strawberries in the cool of the morning. Remember to cut by the stem. Do not pull the berry or you could damage the plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should have an abundance of berries. In fact, if you choose to plant June-bearer strawberries, you can expect your harvest to last up to 3 weeks!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s a quick video\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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