Growing Strawberries (from seeds)

Fragaria : Rosaceae / the rose family

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

(Best months for growing Strawberries (from seeds) in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • Start inside in pots or trays after chilling seeds.. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 68°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 12 - 39 inches apart
  • Harvest in approximately 1 years. Seedlings need to grow for about a year before fruiting. Remove first flowers. .
  • 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 then avoid putting strawberries where you have grown tomatoes, potatoes, peppers or eggplant.

Your comments and tips

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01 Mar 15, sylvain kinzonzi (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
hi I just want to buy strawberry seed or plant. I am in Congo / Kinshasa please
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10 Feb 15, Lachlan Turner (Australia - arid climate)
Alpine strawberries are the easiest to grow from seed. They produce tiny, triangular fruit with an intense flavour. Chill the seeds, in a closed jar or plastic box, 2 - 4 weeks in a home freezer. Allow to return to room temperature in the closed container before sowing. Sow seeds thinly on seed raising mix/compost. Cover with a thin layer of compost and water in. Keep under cover, either in a greenhouse or indoors near a window. Germination takes 2 to 8 weeks. Plant out into small pots to grow on when 3 leaves have appeared. Then transplant to garden when well grown. After about a year the strawberries will form low-growing, leafy plants,between 12 - 15cm (about 6 inches) high and will spread to about 50 - 100cm (20 - 40 inches). They have five petalled flowers, usually white or sometimes pink. The flowers are followed by delicious red fruits, which have their seeds on the outside. Later in the season, the plants send out runners like thin stems, across the garden. They will take root to form new plants. Protect your plants with some sort of netting or bird scarer or you will lose most of your crop. Strawberries like well drained soil with plenty of humus . To prepare your bed, dig in some compost before planting and possibly use a liquid fertiliser during the growing season. Well fed strawberries taste better. To protect the fruit from moulds, use some form of mulch around the plants. Straw, pine needles, or black plastic are all suitable. Mulch will also help suppress weeds.
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09 Feb 15, TULUTA (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
I sowed straight my seed into clay soil, and after 2 weeks now, no seed grow. The seeds package from Australia. I am in Tonga -tropical temperature. help me to germinate my seeds pleas.
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19 Jan 15, Naresh (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi I live in the KZN North Coast. Can I plant strawberry seeds now in mid January? Thanks Naresh
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20 Oct 14, Adam Gordon-Strong (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi, I farm in Zambia and am looking for alternative crops to my current main crop which is Tobacco, does anyone have info on variety, fertilisation, cultural practices etc i would say in general we are hotter and wetter than SA here in Zambia. thanks
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10 Oct 14, Linda van Eeden (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I am residing on the West Rand (Krugersdorp area) I would like to know where I can buy strawberry plants or seeds.
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13 Jul 14, Josh (Australia - temperate climate)
How do you transplant the strawberry plant
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21 Jul 14, (Australia - temperate climate)
Dig it up, cut the older leaves off and plant into an organic rich soil, water well
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28 Apr 14, Berrill Ley (Australia - temperate climate)
Where do u buy strawberry seeds from
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19 Jun 14, Glen (Australia - tropical climate)
Ebay or Ali Express, I find the latter being better in most cases and cheaper as dealing direct with suppliers.......
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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.
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