Growing Strawberry Plants

Fragaria : Rosaceae / the rose family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
                P P P  

(Best months for growing Strawberry Plants in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • P = Plant out (transplant) seedlings

September: Protect from frost

  • Easy to grow. Plant with crown (of roots) just covered.. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 68°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 12 - 39 inches apart
  • Harvest in approximately 11 weeks. Strawberries bruise easily when ripe, handle carefully. Pick with a small piece of stem attached..
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Better in a bed on their own to allow good sun and air circulation
  • Avoid growing close to: If you are using rotation beds, avoid putting strawberries where you have grown tomatoes, potatoes, peppers or eggplant

Your comments and tips

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for New Zealand | for all countries
02 Jun 20, Anonymous (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
I wouldn't - maybe read or research when to grow strawberries in your area. In sub tropical Qld Australia - they plant early April and start picking June. I don't know anything about your variety.
Reply or Post a new comment
16 Jan 20, Suzanne (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I live in central auckland and grow strawberries in a large concrete trough approx 340 mm deep and wide. I had the opportunity to get a number of strawberry plants a few days ago, and want to know if I plant them now, protect them will they winter ok?
Reply or Post a new comment
20 Jan 20, Another gardener (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I live sub-tropical Queensland Australia, strawberry plants here send out runners from early summer. These runners develop new plants along the runner. These new plants are transplanted out early April, they grow and produce fruit from May to Sept. IF those plants offered to you have soil all around the roots and has not been disturbed much then they may keep growing. My suggestion is to find new plants around the time you normally plant strawberries in your area. Read up about growing strawberries in NZ.
Reply or Post a new comment
28 Oct 18, Caroline Burnell (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Do I cut off the leaves on my strawberries that are growing in a raised garden and covered with netting so that the sun can ripen them? Thanks Caroline
Reply or Post a new comment
30 Oct 18, Mike (New Zealand - temperate climate)
NO - strawberries take about 4 weeks from flowering to ripe fruit. Keep cutting the leaves and the plant will probably die. Plants need leaves to take in the sunlight.
Reply or Post a new comment
08 Mar 18, Julie (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
How long do you keep strawberry plants growing. Mine are about three years old now, do they need replacing?
Reply or Post a new comment
23 May 20, Allan (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Yes, second season is always best crop, third season is ok. Replace with runners and plantlets from your current bed as they are tuned to your area. Past three years plants don’t produce as well.
Reply or Post a new comment
26 Jul 13, Rob (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I find growing strawberries in hanging baskets under the veranda to be best results.They are least likely to get frost and also least likely to be eaten by birds.
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 11 - 18 of 18 comments
See comments for all plants

gardenersface all sorts of chaallenges and should never write themselves off. The upside of your experience is that you have a lot of runners that you can plant. The runners will grow even if they currently don't have roots. Lift all of the plants and trim the roots. Remove most of the leaves by shearing them off withh secateurs or a stout pair of scissors. make a nbarrow trench and pack them in it side by side. Give them a good water to settle them in and they can stay there until late winter when they will start to sprout. When you have planted them in their permanent home you could make a frame over them with sticks oir prunings and drape old net curtain ver it. This will cost you nothing or only a few dollars from an 'op shop, and will stop birds and butterflies getting to them. If it is grubs, etc. getting to them spray them with Natures Way Caterpiller spray. This is totally saafe and non-toxic. All the best for next season.

- Giovanni

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put GardenGrow in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use GardenGrow and subscribe to the free GardenGrow planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About GardenGrow | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.