Strawberries are grown from the tropics all the way down to sub-polar regions, obviously they are grown with different care requirements. Common to all areas though is growing strawberries in good well-drained, friable soil that is well composted and mulched.

Growing strawberries are very popular homeowner garden projects. Strawberries are the first fruit to harvest, usually available by mid spring. The basics of growing strawberries are straight forward for the experienced gardener but for an amateur gardener, growing strawberries can be a quite tricky if you are going to have a successful strawberry crops. Growing strawberries is one of the most popular homegrown fruits for most gardeners. Growing strawberries means fresh berries, plump and red, for strawberry shortcake topped with a dollop of whipped cream. If this description makes your mouth water, just imagine the different ways you can use the strawberries you grow in your own garden.

Growing Strawberries-Cultivation:

When growing strawberries in the Southern United States, the ideal time is September through November. Young Northern producers begin to arrive at garden centers during early fall months. Some varieties can tolerate a light frost and short freeze. Only during light frosts can you expect the flowers and fruit of the strawberries to escape damage.

Growing Strawberries-Soil and planting:
Strawberries never produce deep roots, but they appreciate their soil being well-dug to a spades depth. Prepare the soil at least one month before growing strawberries. Incorporate as much organic matter as possible and include two handfuls of bonemeal per square metre (yard). A few days before planting apply, the recommended dose of fertiliser such as Growmore. Strawberries are greedy feeders over a relatively short period of time.

A recommended system when growing strawberries, is to use a 3 year rotation system. Establish 3 beds if you have the room for it. The first year the new plants in Bed 1 will be very productive and will produce runners.

Take runners from bed 1 – put into bed 2 and develop it. Put runners from 1 and 2 into bed 3. By then bed 1 will need some rest and you should leave it for a couple of years before you re-plant it. You can try changing the soil, but that takes alot of work.

Like-wise with pot growing – change the soil annually.

Growing strawberries-Fertilizing Growing Strawberries:

Mix 2 and one half pounds of 6-6-6 fertilizer for each 100 square feet of garden space. However, to be precise, always follow the advice on product labels. Too much fertilizer is never a good idea when growing strawberries.

Growing strawberries-Garden pests and destructive disease:

One problem for growing strawberries are the garden pests and diseases. There are pests that find growing strawberries hard to resist. Thrips, snails, caterpillars and slugs are known to destroy the plant. Plant diseases that you’ll likely encounter when growing strawberries are fruit rot and leaf spot.

Many gardeners now prefer natural methods of getting rid of garden pests. A simple method is the use of insecticide soap. A search online will turn up other safe and natural products for use on your growing strawberries.

Growing strawberries-Harvesting your Strawberries:

Strawberries are one of the first fruits to be harvested in the garden. You should harvest the strawberries when it’s mostly red and still firm. If you have a large crop pick the ripened strawberries daily. By doing so you’ll beat the birds and insects to the vulnerable fruit.