How to grow Strawberry
in the US

There's nothing quite like a proper fresh strawberry, is there? Straight from the plant, still warm from the sun, they just taste miles better than anything from the store. They're pretty easy to grow too, honest, and don't take up a massive amount of space on the plot.

Sowing

Strawberries, part of the Rosaceae family, are surprisingly easy to get going from seed, even though you don't often see plug plants for sale. Timing varies a fair bit by USDA zone, so you'll want to adjust your planting dates for your local climate. For example, folks in zone 3 might sow in April or May, while zone 8 gardeners can start in February, March, April, or later in the year from September to November. Zone 10 has a really long window, from January to March and then September to December. Generally, you'll want to sow thinly indoors in seed trays or small pots, just barely covering the tiny seeds with a fine layer of soil. They need light to germinate and a bit of warmth, around 60-70°F (15-21°C) is ideal. The app's notes show timing for zones 5-7 to give you a good starting point.

Growing on

Once your seedlings have a few true leaves, you can carefully prick them out and pot them on into individual small pots. Keep them somewhere bright but not too hot, and make sure the soil stays a bit damp. Before you plant them out, you'll need to harden them off for a week or so, gradually getting them used to the outside world. Plant them out after your last frost date, spacing them about 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) apart in rows that are roughly 3 feet (90 cm) apart. They do well in raised beds or even containers, just make sure they have enough room to spread a little.

Looking after it

Strawberries love a bit of consistent moisture, especially when they're forming fruit, so keep them well-watered. A balanced liquid feed now and again can give them a good boost. Once the plants are established, laying down some straw around them is a cracking idea; it keeps the fruit clean and helps suppress weeds. Keep an eye on those runners; you can let a few root to make new plants, or snip them off to keep your main plant focused on fruit production.

What goes wrong

Slugs are probably the biggest bother, they just love a ripe strawberry. I find beer traps or just going out at dusk with a flashlight often helps. Aphids and spider mites can sometimes turn up, but a good blast of water often sorts them out, or a drop of dish soap in a spray bottle. Gray mold can be an issue if it's too damp and crowded, so make sure they have good air circulation and try to pick off any affected leaves or fruit quickly.

Harvest

You're looking at about 120 days from sowing to harvest, which usually means picking from June right through to September, depending on your variety and zone. Pick the strawberries when they're fully red and come away easily from the plant, making sure to leave the little green calyx on top. They don't store for long, so eat them fresh, or if you've got a proper glut, they're brilliant for making jam or freezing to use later. Store them in a cool, dry place, and refrigerate if you need to keep them for a couple of days.