Growing strawberries from seeds and crowns can be a rewarding endeavor, offering delicious fruits and a beautiful addition to your garden. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to grow strawberries from seeds and crowns, along with tips on fertilizing, care, and propagation.
Growing Strawberries from Seeds:
1. Selecting Seeds:
Obtain strawberry seeds from a reputable source. You can also collect seeds from ripe strawberries, but it's essential to understand that not all strawberry varieties produce seeds that are true to the parent plant.
2. Seed Starting:
Plant the seeds in a seed-starting mix or well-draining soil. Sow the seeds on the surface and lightly cover them with a thin layer of soil.
Keep the soil consistently moist and place the containers in a warm, sunny location or under grow lights.
Germination can take several weeks. Once the seedlings have developed a few sets of true leaves, transplant them into larger pots or directly into the garden.
Growing Strawberries from Crowns:
1. Choosing Crowns:
Purchase certified disease-free strawberry crowns from a nursery or garden center. Crowns are the root systems with attached stems that will grow into strawberry plants.
2. Planting Crowns:
Plant crowns in well-draining soil with good sunlight. Make sure the soil is rich in organic matter and slightly acidic (pH around 6-6.5).
Space the crowns about 18-24 inches apart in rows or raised beds, allowing room for runners to spread.
Fertilizing and Care:
1. Fertilization:
Use a balanced fertilizer or one specifically formulated for strawberries. Apply according to package instructions, typically in early spring before flowering and after the harvest.
Alternatively, use organic options like compost or well-aged manure to enrich the soil.
2. Watering:
Strawberries require consistent moisture, especially during flowering and fruiting. Water deeply but avoid waterlogging the soil, as strawberries are susceptible to root rot.
3. Mulching and Weed Control:
Mulch around strawberry plants with straw, pine needles, or wood chips to suppress weeds, retain moisture, and protect the fruits from direct contact with the soil.
Propagation:
1. Runners:
Strawberries reproduce through runners. Allow these runners to take root and establish new plants. You can encourage propagation by pinning the runners to the soil or placing pots nearby for them to root into.
2. Division:
Over time, strawberry plants may become crowded. Dig up mature plants, divide the crowns, and replant the divided sections to maintain healthy plants and increase yield.
Harvesting:
1. Patience is Key:
Strawberry plants typically start producing fruit in their second year. Ensure you're providing proper care to maximize fruit production.
2. Harvesting Ripe Strawberries:
Harvest ripe strawberries by gently picking them, ensuring the stems remain intact. Pick berries when fully red, as they do not ripen after picking.
Growing strawberries from seeds or crowns requires patience and attention to detail, but the reward of homegrown, sweet berries makes the effort worthwhile. With proper care, fertilization, and occasional propagation, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of delicious strawberries from your garden year after year.
Happy Growing,
Food Forest Utah
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