Crops › Strawberry
How to grow Strawberry
in the UK
Sow March to September, plant out October, harvest June to September. About 120 days from seed to plate. You can sow it this month.
Strawberries, eh? Proper cracking soft fruit, these. They're so easy to grow, honestly, and nothing beats the taste of one you've picked yourself, warm from the sun. On the allotment, they just bring a smile to your face, especially when the beds are full of them.
Sowing
Now, most folks don't sow strawberry seeds for these varieties, they plant 'runners' or 'cold-stored plants'. You can put these in from March right through to May, or even later in August and September for a crop next year. Plant them in rich soil, either in a dedicated bed or in pots and containers. Make sure the crown is level with the soil, not too deep, not too shallow, and leave about 30-40 cm between each plant so they've got room to spread.
Growing on
Once your plants are in, whether they're runners or young plants, give them a good drink. If you've got them in containers, keep an eye on the watering, they dry out quicker. No need to worry about frost once they're established outside, but if you've started anything really early indoors, remember to harden them off before planting out, especially here in the North East before mid-May. Give them plenty of space, like I say, they need it.
Looking after it
Strawberries are quite thirsty, especially when the fruit's forming, so keep them well-watered. A good feed with a general-purpose liquid feed every couple of weeks when they're fruiting will help too. Crucially, pop some straw under the developing fruits; this stops them getting muddy and helps reduce grey mould. Remember to renew your strawberry beds every three years or so, they just get tired and don't produce as well.
What goes wrong
Oh, slugs, they love a strawberry, don't they? Keep an eye out and use your preferred method to deter them. Grey mould, or Botrytis, can be a problem too, especially in damp weather. That's where the straw mulch comes in handy, keeping the fruit off the wet ground. Good air circulation helps, so don't let them get too crowded.
Harvest
You'll be picking these beauties from June right through to September, depending on the variety. Pick them when they're fully red, don't rush it, they won't ripen further once picked. Just give a gentle tug on the stem. If you get a proper glut, which you often do, they're best eaten fresh, but pop any spares in the fridge, unwashed, and try to get through them within a couple of days. They don't last long, mind.
You know what I always do? Plant a few in hanging baskets near the back door, saves bending down and the birds don't seem to get to them as much.
Dates for your plot
Type the first half of your postcode and the plant-out advice shifts to your area's typical frost dates.
Varieties, and whether the club would grow them again
| Variety | Club verdict |
|---|---|
| Elsanta A popular UK strawberry, you'll see this one everywhere. It's a June-bearing type, reliable and good for growing in beds or containers for a cracking summer crop. | No club votes yet |
| Cambridge Favourite Another long-standing favourite for British gardens. This June-bearing variety gives a good, consistent crop and is happy in beds or containers. | No club votes yet |
| Florence A later June-bearing variety that extends your picking season nicely. It's a sturdy plant, great for beds or containers, and known for good disease resistance. | No club votes yet |
| Hapil This is a robust June-bearing strawberry with good sized, flavourful fruit. It's a solid choice for beds or containers and quite reliable in our climate. | No club votes yet |
| Honeoye One of the earlier June-bearing varieties, giving you fruit a bit quicker. It's a hardy plant that does well in beds or containers, great for an early treat. | No club votes yet |
| Malling Centenary A newer June-bearing variety that produces really large, proper uniform fruits. It's fantastic for containers or beds and often seen at shows. | No club votes yet |
| Malling Opal A very late June-bearing variety, perfect for extending your strawberry season well into summer. This one gives a good crop of tasty fruit, happy in beds or containers. | No club votes yet |
| Sonata This June-bearing variety is known for its sweet, juicy fruits and good yields. It's a reliable performer whether you're growing in the ground or in pots. | No club votes yet |
| Mara des Bois Ah, the everbearer! This one keeps producing smaller, intensely aromatic fruit all summer long. Cracking for those who want a continuous supply rather than one big flush. | No club votes yet |
| Albion Another everbearer, offering a steady supply of large, conical fruit throughout the season. It's a good choice for consistent harvests in beds or containers. | No club votes yet |
| Vibrant An early June-bearing variety that lives up to its name with bright, tasty fruits. It's a strong grower, well-suited for beds or containers, getting you fruit quickly. | No club votes yet |
| Symphony This June-bearing variety is a later cropper, producing sweet, medium-sized fruits. It's a good one for extending your season and does well in beds or containers. | No club votes yet |
Votes are members rating varieties in their Seed Tin, one vote per gardener. Tap a variety for the full page and where to buy.
Buy Strawberry seeds
Partner retailers. If you buy through these links we may earn a small commission. It never costs you more.
Cook the harvest
A proper British strawberry conserve where the fruit is kept in generous whole pieces suspended in a clear, brilliantly flavoured jelly — a step above an ordinary jam. The method of macerating the fruit overnight with sugar draws out the juices and protects the berry's structure during cooking, giving a preserve with real elegance. Spread thickly on warm scones with clotted cream.
45 min · mediumA classic British strawberry pavlova with a crisp meringue shell, a marshmallow-soft centre, clouds of whipped cream and a generous tumble of fresh strawberries on top. It is the celebration dessert that never goes out of style and is almost universally loved. Make the meringue base ahead so that assembly on the day takes just a few minutes.
110 min · mediumA brilliant, deeply red sorbet where aged balsamic vinegar works a kind of magic on the strawberries, amplifying their flavour to an almost savoury intensity without tasting of vinegar at all. This is one of those seemingly strange flavour combinations that anyone who tries it immediately understands. Serve in a chilled glass with a few fresh berries alongside.
25 min · mediumA magnificent British classic in all its layered glory: sponge fingers soaked in strawberry jelly and a splash of sherry, topped with a thick layer of fresh strawberry compote, set vanilla custard and a cloud of softly whipped double cream. This is the definitive summer entertaining dessert, made ahead and brought to the table in a glass bowl so every layer can be admired before the first spoonful is taken.
60 min · mediumWatch for, and grow alongside
Companions: borage, chives
Questions people ask
When do you sow Strawberry in the UK?
Sow Strawberry from March to September. Plant out October, after the last frost.
How long does Strawberry take from sowing to harvest?
Roughly 120 days, with the harvest June to September.
Which Strawberry varieties do gardeners grow again?
Club members rate every variety they grow. This page shows the grow-again votes for Elsanta, Cambridge Favourite, Florence, Hapil and more.
Track your Strawberry from packet to plate
Sowing reminders and harvest forecasts for your own frost dates, the Seed Tin, Scan Centre for any label or packet, and the Potty Mouth Garden Club. Free to start.
Allotment keeper in the North East of England, the voice behind the Tony C Smith YouTube channel, and the gardener who built GrowMore CookMore. Club numbers on this page update as members log their plots. Last updated 3 September 2026.