2023-05-24 09:40:15
Red, sweet and juicy! And then this great scent! Strawberries are simply indescribably delicious.
It is logical that we would like to eat our beloved fruits often and fresh. And the best way to do that is to grow it yourself. So we plant the sweet fruit in the garden bed or in tubs on the terrace and balcony and hope for a rich harvest.
Read the best tips and tricks for growing strawberries here so that it works really well for you.
Growing strawberries: It depends on the variety
It starts with the selection of the plants. If you want to harvest in June in the future, choose an early variety. The downside is that these strawberry plants often only bear fruit once.
Although most (later) varieties are later ready for harvest, they keep producing new fruit for weeks. It is therefore worth taking a closer look at the plant label.
When is the right time to plant?
Strawberries that bear fruit once are replanted in summer, from mid-July to mid-September. They then form flowering plants for the coming year in peace.
Strawberry plants that bear fruit more often can be planted in the ground from spring to mid-October.
Forest and monthly strawberries are planted either in spring or in late summer. Climbing strawberries can be planted in pots from April.
Tip: Carefully break up the root ball when planting. This makes it easier to grow.
Whatever the case, plant deep enough so that the heart of the strawberry plant is always visible above the ground.
The ideal soil for strawberries
The soil for strawberries should be warm and loose.
Heavy, loamy garden soil can be lightened with sand and compost before planting. Conversely, light soils are enriched with compost and organic fertilizer (horn shavings).
For strawberries in pots or tubs, you should make a mixture of vegetable soil and sand.
Where do strawberries grow best?
The more sun, the sweeter strawberries! A partially shaded spot is also fine. If a little wind blows over the plants, it doesn’t matter. On the contrary. Strawberries are less susceptible to fungus if the moisture can be air dried quickly.
Strawberries should only come back to the same bed after four to five years. In between, plant kohlrabi, lettuce and radishes in these places.
Care tip: The delicious fruits need a lot of water and occasionally some (organic) fertilizer. It is best to water thoroughly in the morning so that everything can dry well again during the day.
Plant strawberries to save space
The bad news: Strawberries need a lot of space to thrive: 30 centimeters between plants and at least as much between rows. That’s a lot of space in a small garden!
But the good news is: strawberries are sociable. For example, you could sow radishes and lettuce between the rows. Garlic, onions and leeks are also good neighbors for strawberries.
Beautiful to look at between the plants and also good against pests are bright yellow marigolds.
What happens to the tendrils?
The tendrils are formed for propagation. If you prefer to harvest more fruit, you should remove all shoots, as their growth takes a lot of strength from the plant. For your own young plants, you could also cut off the best shoots and replant them.
Exception: Climbing strawberries need all of their tendrils to grow tall. It is best to tie up long shoots here.
Good to know: In principle, strawberry plants are perennial and can survive the winter with a little protection. But: they only bear really big fruits for two years. For this reason, you should ensure that plants are replenished in good time at another location or in fresh pot soil.
Can you grow strawberries on the balcony?
Strawberries can also be grown in buckets or in hanging baskets on the balcony. But they need a lot of sun so that the fruits can ripen. In the shadow they become nothing.
Tip: Plant wild strawberries on a shady balcony. Although they have smaller fruits, they also taste great.
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