Growing Strawberries (from seeds)

Fragaria : Rosaceae / the rose family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
  S S                  
        T              
        P P            

(Best months for growing Strawberries (from seeds) in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Start inside in pots or trays after chilling seeds.. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 10°C and 20°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 30 - 100 cm apart
  • Harvest in approximately 1 years. Seedlings need to grow for about a year before fruiting. Remove first flowers. .
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Better in a bed on their own to allow good sun and air circulation.
  • Avoid growing close to: If you are using rotation beds then avoid putting strawberries where you have grown tomatoes, potatoes, peppers or eggplant.
  • Ripening fruit
  • Strawberry plants

Alpine strawberries are the easiest to grow from seed. They produce tiny, triangular fruit with an intense flavour.

Chill the seeds, in a closed jar or plastic box, 2 - 4 weeks in a home freezer. Allow to return to room temperature in the closed container before sowing.

Sow seeds thinly on seed raising mix/compost. Cover with a thin layer of compost and water in. Keep under cover, either in a greenhouse or indoors near a window. Germination takes 2 to 8 weeks. Plant out into small pots to grow on when 3 leaves have appeared. Then transplant to garden when well grown. After about a year the strawberries will form low-growing leafy plants,between 12 - 15 cm (about 6 inches) high and will spread to about 50 - 100 cm (20 - 40 inches). They have five petalled flowers, usually white or sometimes pink. The flowers are followed by delicious red fruits which have their seeds on the outside. Later in the season, the plants send out runners like thin stems across the garden. They will take root to form new plants.

Protect your plants with some sort of netting or bird scarer or you will lose most of your crop. Strawberries like well drained soil with plenty of humus. To prepare your bed, dig in some compost before planting and possibly use a liquid fertiliser during the growing season. Well fed strawberries taste better. To protect the fruit from moulds use some form of mulch around the plants. Straw, pine needles, or black plastic are all suitable. Mulch will also help suppress weeds.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Strawberries (from seeds)

Strawberries can be used in any dessert needing soft fruit or berries. Summer pudding with raspberries and blackberries or boysenberries, mousse, trifle, dipped in melted chocolate or just with cream.
Sprinkle a bowl of strawberries with balsamic vinegar and a little sugar to enhance the flavour and colour.
Straight from the garden, warmed by the sun is best.

Your comments and tips

13 Apr 14, Ryan Scott (USA - Zone 12a climate)
Hi, I live in Fiji, am about to do some outdoor (full sun area) aquaponics trials with flood and drain tables. Thinking of strawberry instead of tomato etc. which variety of strawberry would suit here? Any tips on nutrient levels? I have all the testers, and am using taliapia for the water nutrients. Any tips you have for me? Thank you for your help. Ryan
12 Aug 15, Patrick (USA - Zone 11b climate)
My understanding is that strawberries need well drained soil.
22 Nov 15, Kenneth sok (USA - Zone 10a climate)
I lived in southeastern USA , North Carolina
21 Feb 19, Pam Clark (USA - Zone 11b climate)
What strawberry seeds will grow in this zone and where can I buy them.
11 Jan 23, Gwendolyn Hall (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Go to Southern exposer seeds they have a tool on there that can tell you plus the links to purchase if they don't have them.
18 Feb 21, arden sabin (USA - Zone 5a climate)
how to grow climbing strawberries from seeds in a garden out side
02 Apr 23, Steve M.C.Smith (USA - Zone 11b climate)
How long do you have to freeze strawberry seeds that you've culled from fresh strawberries? How long should strawberry plants from seeds take before thinning or transplanting them?
03 Apr 23, (USA - Zone 5a climate)
4-6 leaf stage.
11 Jun 23, Nicole (USA - Zone 10a climate)
I want to plant some strawberries with my Borage - I have heard they grow well together - and I'm planting mid-September. It hasn't frozen once since I've lived here, so that danger is low, and I grow a ton of other herbs at that time of year through about now. My Self-Heal is just about to die from the heat, so I'm harvesting that on Monday. What srawberry variety would work well for my climate? I am really hoping I can buy the seeds from you.

Hi, I live in Kimberley, Northern Cape. Is it a good time to buy strawberry plants or should rather wait for August?

- Masego

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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