Your Guide To: Strawberries
Learn more about how to take care of this sweet, juicy fruit.
Strawberries are one of the first fruits to ripen in the spring. Some of the best strawberries you will taste will come from a garden—their rich, aromatic flavor is simply unmatched by their supermarket counterparts.
How to Keep a Strawberry Plant Happy
Strawberries can be grown in any region. If you live in a cooler region, plant in the spring. If you're in a warmer region, plant in the fall. It's important to pay special attention to the depth and width you are planting strawberries at. Do not bury the crown; this is where leaves, flowers, and fruit grow, and it needs exposure to light and fresh air. If the crown is buried, the plant could rot. It is just as important to not plant strawberries too close together. Strawberry plants need room to reproduce, and should be spaced at least 18 inches apart. They also prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.8.
How Much Lighting Does My Strawberry Plant Need?
Lots! Strawberry plants require around 8 hours of full sun per day.
How Do I Know When to Water My Strawberry Plant?
Strawberry plants need 1 to 1 ½ inches of water weekly. Try to avoid wetting the leaves. You can use mulch to keep the soil moist and the plants clean.
How Do I Use Plant Food for My Strawberry Plant?
Plant food is an important part of fostering healthy growth. We recommend feeding your strawberry plant with Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food once every 7 to 14 days. The plant fertilizer instantly feeds to grow bigger, more beautiful plants compared to unfed plants. Just mix with water according to package directions and feed at the base of the plant—it's that easy.
What Is a Strawberry Plant's Ideal Environment?
You can grow strawberries in a variety of places, whether it's in a container, raised bed, or in-ground garden. If container gardening is your thing, you will want to choose one that is at least 10 inches across.
Show Them You Care
How Do I Harvest My Strawberry Plant?
Strawberries are ready to harvest as soon as they turn a glossy red. Leaving a ripe berry on the vine will cause it to rot quickly, so make sure to get picking! Harvest your strawberries early in the morning when temperatures are still cool. Once picked, place berries directly in the refrigerator. When it's time to enjoy your berries, give them a quick rinse with cool water. Always wait to rinse until you are ready to use.
How to Address Common Strawberry Plant Issues?
Slugs may chew holes in strawberries as they begin to ripen. In summer, several fungal diseases cause dark spots to form on leaves. To keep pests and diseases at bay, clip and rake your strawberry plant's foliage in the summer. The worst pests of strawberries are birds. To keep them from stealing your berries, cover the plants with lightweight bird netting when the berries begin to ripen.
What to do If You Still Have Questions
Our plant experts are here for you if you need advice about strawberries or buying herb or vegetable plants online. With a vast array of plants for delivery, you'll be sure to find the right option to elevate your space. Visit our website, email at [email protected], or chat live with a Greendigs team member to get all of your growing questions answered.
Sources
https://www.miraclegro.com/en-us/library/edible-gardening/growing-strawberries