Planting and growing strawberries Growing strawberries at home is a simple and rewarding activity that allows you to enjoy the authentic, fresh flavor of freshly picked fruit. Whether you have a large garden or just a balcony or sunny window, growing strawberries is possible thanks to their adaptability and small space requirements. Furthermore, doing this process at home guarantees the consumption of a product free of harmful substances. chemical and with the maximum nutritional contribution.
What should you know before you start planting strawberries?
The cultivation of strawberries, also known as strawberries, has several alternatives to start the process: by sowing seeds, transplanting already grown seedlings, or from runners (cuttings that sprout from adult plants). Each option has its advantages, although propagation by runners is the fastest and most effective. However, those looking to experience the full cycle can try seeds.
Types of strawberries to grow at home
There are multiple varieties of strawberries adapted to different climates and needs. Wild strawberries, known for their intense flavor and small size, and commercial strawberries, such as the Camarosa, 'Albion', 'Chandler' o 'San Andreas', among others. For indoor or pot cultivation, it is recommended to choose remontant varieties, which produce fruit throughout the warm season. If you are looking for an easy and hardy option, select a variety adapted to your local climate, usually available in nurseries or specialized stores.
What is the best time to plant strawberries?
El ideal time to plant strawberries It depends on the method chosen:
- If you sow seedsIt is advisable to do this at the end of summer and beginning of autumn, so that the seedlings can develop protected indoors or in a seedbed.
- Instead, transplanting seedlings or stolons is done at the end of winter and into spring. In temperate climates, you can also plant in the fall to take advantage of the humidity and mild temperatures.
Strawberries tolerate cold and high temperatures well, although they grow better in temperate conditions and sunny. Always look for a well-lit location to ensure maximum plant development and fruit production.
Where to plant strawberries? Space, light, and climate
Strawberries are versatile plants Ideal for urban gardens, container gardens, balconies, or terraces. They don't require much space or soil depth. You can grow them directly in the ground (in separate rows to facilitate aeration and prevent disease), in pots, planters, vertical growing bags, or even in recycled plastic bottles.
To enhance its development and production:
- Search a place that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day.
- Avoid areas of total shade, as the lack of light reduces flowering and fruit size.
- In warm climates, protect plants from the most intense midday sunlight to prevent burning.
- Keep the substrate fresh and well aerated, with efficient drainage to prevent waterlogging.
What substrate is ideal for planting strawberries?
El optimal substrate for strawberries must be:
- Light and spongy, rich in organic matter and with good drainage.
- With slightly acidic pH, between 5.5 and 6.5.
- Ideal mix: garden soil, mature compost, a little coconut fiber or perlite, and worm castings.
- Avoid clayey or compact soils, which encourage the growth of fungi.
If you use pots, make sure they have drainage holes at the base and place a layer of gravel or small stones before the substrate, to prevent water accumulation.
How to plant strawberries in a seedbed or directly in a pot
If you prefer to start your crop from seeds, follow these steps:
- Get quality seeds: Buy seeds from specialty stores or extract them from ripe fruit, letting them dry for 3 to 4 days.
- Prepare a seedbedUse well-draining trays or recycled containers. Fill with suitable substrate.
- Sow the seeds superficially, barely covering them with a thin layer of soil.
- Water gently, keeping the substrate always moist but not flooded.
- Place the seedbed in a warm and bright place, protected from drafts and direct sunlight.
- La germination can take between 2 and 6 weeksBe patient and avoid moving the seedbed during this period.
- When they have 3 or 4 true leaves, transplant each seedling into a small pot until they reach a larger size.
This method allows the entire life cycle of the plant to be observed, but requires more time and care than planting stolons or seedlings.
How to plant strawberries in a recycled plastic bottle
El growing in plastic bottles It's an excellent way to reuse materials and create vertical gardens in small spaces. To do this:
- Select one clean bottle of at least 2 liters.
- Make side openings to accommodate plants.
- Make small drainage holes at the base.
- Fill the bottle with suitable substrate.
- Insert the seedlings or seeds through the openings and water gently.
- Hang the bottle in a bright place and be careful not to tip it over.
This system is ideal for balconies and takes advantage of vertical space, allowing for multiple floors in a single structure.
How to transplant strawberries correctly
When the seedlings reach the size of a hand or the seedlings purchased from a nursery have abundant roots, it is time to transplant them to their final location:
- Choose a pot or planter that is at least 10 cm deep for a single plant, or deeper if you want to plant several plants in a row (leave about 20 cm between each one).
- Make a hole in the substrate, place the plant in and cover the roots, leaving the neck just above the surface.
- Lightly press the soil and water generously, avoiding wetting the leaves.
- Keep plants protected from severe frost and, if possible, cover them with frost-resistant netting if very low temperatures are forecast.
Strawberry Plant Care: Watering, Maintenance, and Harvesting
El Maintenance of the strawberries is simple, but requires regular attention to obtain abundant and quality harvests:
- Irrigation: Keep the substrate moist, avoiding waterlogging. In summer, water daily during the cool hours; in winter, water every three or four days. Excessive moisture encourages the growth of fungus.
- Subscriber: Incorporate organic fertilizers rich in potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen every 15 or 20 days during flowering and fruiting.
- Light: Strawberries require plenty of sunlight. If the space is too shady, production will be poor.
- Pruning: Remove dead leaves and runners (unless you want to propagate new plants) to prevent disease and direct energy to the fruit.
- Protection: Look for pests (aphids, spider mites, thrips) and diseases (mildew, gray mold, rot) and act immediately, using organic products or homemade methods.
Once the strawberries are deep red, harvest them by cutting the stem to avoid damaging the plant. Harvesting can extend from spring to fall, depending on the variety and care received.