Fresh, delicious and rewarding, strawberries are such a versatile fruit and so easy to grow, making them ideal for beginners, as well as well-versed gardeners. With planting season on the horizon, discover when and how to plant strawberries and grow a bountiful harvest in summer.

When to Plant Strawberries

The optimal time to plant loose-rooted strawberries is between March and April for summer harvests. Whereas potted strawberries can be planted as soon as they arrive in the springtime.

The planting process

Learn how to prepare, plant and grow strawberry plants with these tips.

• Plant in a full sun position to produce the largest yields.
• Strawberry plants like space. Measure out planting holes 35cm (14in) apart. Space rows 75cm (30in) apart. Dig out a hole large enough to accommodate the roots to allow runners to take hold and roots to establish.
• Spread out the roots of each strawberry plant. In the bottom of the hole, create a mound or hill of soil that is flush with the surrounding soil level. Place the strawberry plant on top of the hill inside the hole, so that the crown is at soil level and spread the roots out down the sides.
• Finally, fill in the hole. Press to firm the soil around the roots and then water thoroughly.

Top tips

• If you've planted cold-stored runners in late spring to early summer, leave the flowers on. Consequently, these will produce strawberries in 60 days, reverting to their natural cropping period the following year.
• Mulch the strawberry bed with shredded leaves, pine needles, compost, or straw. This will keep the soil temperature down, mitigates any weed problem, and keeps the fruit cleaner by keeping the strawberries off of the dirt.

Our Favourite Varieties for Summer Harvests

Strawberry Cambridge Favourite (Mid Season), Strawberry Honeoye (Early Season), and Strawberry Florence.