Strawberry
Replace plants every 3-4 years, or as soon as cropping declines — strawberry plants lose vigour and are best treated as relatively short-lived.
Care
Consistent moisture while fruiting; avoid wetting fruit and leaves to reduce grey mould.
Fertile, well-drained soil, or good quality compost in containers, hanging baskets or growing bags.
Remove runners unless propagating new plants; cut back old foliage after fruiting to tidy the plant and reduce pest/disease carryover.
A high-potash liquid feed weekly from the appearance of the first flowers until the last fruit is picked — tomato feed is the standard choice. Nitrogen-rich feeds give big leafy plants and small, soft fruit.
Peg the runners into small pots of compost while still attached to the parent, then cut them free once rooted. Replace the whole bed every three years: older plants crop less and carry more virus, so this is routine maintenance.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- AprilLay straw or mats under developing fruit to keep it clean and off wet soil.
- JuneHarvest as berries ripen.
- AugustCut back old foliage after fruiting and remove unwanted runners. how ›
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- AprilLay straw or mats under developing fruit to keep it clean and off wet soil.
- JuneHarvest as berries ripen.
- AugustCut back old foliage after fruiting and remove unwanted runners. how ›
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchLay straw or mats under developing fruit to keep it clean and off wet soil.
- JuneHarvest as berries ripen.
- AugustCut back old foliage after fruiting and remove unwanted runners. how ›
Months based on climate: Central Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchLay straw or mats under developing fruit to keep it clean and off wet soil.
- JuneHarvest as berries ripen.
- AugustCut back old foliage after fruiting and remove unwanted runners. how ›
Months based on climate: Southern Italy and islands. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. On ripening fruit in wet weather.
What to do. Improve airflow, keep fruit off the soil.
How to spot it. Damage to ripening fruit.
What to do. Use barriers or organic control methods.
How to spot it. Taking ripening fruit.
What to do. Net if the crop is at risk.
Questions
Strawberry: is it hardy?
H6: Hardy in the vast majority of UK gardens. It survives down to −20 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
A classic choice for pots, growing bags and hanging baskets.
Strawberry: when do you prune it?
Remove runners unless propagating new plants; cut back old foliage after fruiting to tidy the plant and reduce pest/disease carryover.
Strawberry: when does it flower?
In the climate of UK it flowers in May.
When do you feed it?
A high-potash liquid feed weekly from the appearance of the first flowers until the last fruit is picked — tomato feed is the standard choice. Nitrogen-rich feeds give big leafy plants and small, soft fruit. Feeding months, UK: April–June.