Is it necessary to learn how to grow strawberries when there are so many other food crops you can grow at home? I think yes, as these little fruits are a joy for all to eat and can be grown in a variety of ways so that they do not take up ground space. Come and learn how!
The great thing about strawberries is that even though most people think of them in long rows in farmers fields, you only need a small sunny space to grow them successfully in strawberry pots, barrels or hanging baskets.
How to grow strawberries – planting
Strawberries like rich soil full of compost and otherwell rotted organic material. We add bone meal to our strawberry pots too for extra substance. You can also use volcanic rock dust for added minerals. If you are growing strawberries in hanging baskets or pots make sure that you have a good potting mix and add bone meal to it.
Young strawberry plants can be planted out in late summer about 30cm apart if planting in a bed. Remember that you will have to leave this bed to the strawberries for 3 – 4 years which is the lifespan of the plant.
Mulch around the plants with straw or black plastic so that when the fruit is produced it will stay clean.
When the plants begin to grow feed them with a high potassium based liquid feed.
Long term care Harvesting Strawberries
Strawberries taste much better if left to ripen completely on the plant. When they are deep red, snip them off with scissors. If you have thieves like birds, cover the plants with garden netting to protect them.
Your strawberry plants will continue to yield for 3 – 4 years, but each season they will send out runners to start baby plants. You need to choose the strongest of these to propogate for your next seasons plantings. We started off with 6 plants in 2008 and now have over 100+ plants ready to go in in 2012.
It is very easy to propogate strawberry plants by just following the runner and placing a small pot filled with seelding mix under the baby plant. It will make roots and eventually settle in the pot. When the baby plant is fully rooted, snip the runner from the parent plant and voila, you have not only learnt how to grow strawberries but you have yourself a new plant!
Quick Notes
When to plant: Plant out young plants in late summer
How many plants: 10 plants will produce a nice first time harvest.
How long to harvest: When fruit is fully red.
Successive planting: Increase your plants annually. First plants need to be replaced after 3/4 years.
STRAWBERRY RECIPE
There is nothing better to me than enjoying fresh strawberries. If you have enough you can make strawberry jam, but I steer clear of that because of the sugar! I do however love sliced strawberries on my pancakes.Make a batch of pancakes by combining 3 cups of flour, 2 teaspoons of baking powder with 2 cups of milk and 2 eggs. Mix to a smooth batter. Spoon onto a hot greased frying pan and cook on both sides. Make a stack of pancakes by layering pancake, sliced strawberries and homemade yoghurt. Top with a drizzle of organic maple syrup…nothing beats this for breakfast in Autumn.
