Your favorite summer berries are easy to grow from seed.
Ready to start planning a summer full of yourfavorite strawberry recipes?
Here’s everything it’s crucial that you know about growing strawberries from seeds.
Credit:Getty Images / yujie chen
They can take up to 45 days for the first tiny green leaves to appear.
That means most gardeners are starting them indoors in seed trays well ahead of the spring season.
Use a seed-starting mix and cover the seeds with just a dusting of soil.
Credit:Getty Images / Faba-Photograhpy
Using a fine mist, keep the soil moist.
As the plants grow, look for them to reach several sets of leaves.
Instead, you’ll go through the process of hardening off your young strawberry plants.
Credit:Getty Images / Westend61
This means you’ll let them gradually acclimate to their new home outdoors.
Let them get used to the elements.
After one to two weeks, they’ll be ready for their big outdoor debut.
Rubens recommends choosing a spot with full sun, ideally eight hours of direct sunlight daily.
She advises thatraised bedsare one of the best growing environments for strawberries.
A 3-foot by 15-foot bed can accommodate about 30 strawberry plants," explains Rubens.
Rubens adds, “Well-drained soil is essential for healthy plants.
If your soil needs improvement, mix in compost to enhance its structure and nutrient content.”
Maintaining Strawberry Plants
“Strawberries require consistent moisture,” says Rubens.
Each time the top inch of the soil feels dry, it’s time to water your strawberries again.
This typically adds up to about one inch of water a week during the harvest season.
Strawberries will also produce the best fruit when they have adequate growing space to spread out and bloom.
“Stagger your strawberry plants instead of arranging them in straight rows.
This allows for better airflow and prevents overcrowding,” says Rubens.
It’s also a good idea to surroundstrawberries with companion plantsthat will offer beneficial pest control.
But that’s entirely up to you!
Or do you decide to bake asweet summer classic?
