There’s something magical about homegrown strawberries. That first bite into a sun-warmed berry, bursting with sweetness, is enough to make any gardener proud! 🍓 Whether you’ve got a sprawling garden, a small patio, or just a sunny windowsill, you can grow your own strawberries with ease. Here’s how to get started and enjoy a delicious summer harvest.
Why Grow Your Own Strawberries?
Aside from the unbeatable flavour, there are plenty of reasons to grow your own strawberries: ✅ Super fresh – You can pick them at peak ripeness for maximum sweetness. ✅ Cost-effective – A few plants will provide plenty of fruit, saving you money on supermarket punnets. ✅ Versatile – Grow them in pots, raised beds, or hanging baskets – they don’t need much space! ✅ Perfect for kids – Little hands love picking their own berries, making it a great way to get children excited about gardening.
When and How to Plant Strawberries
One of the most common questions is ‘When is the best time to plant strawberries?’ The answer: Early spring or autumn!
Here’s how to get started:
1️⃣ Pick a sunny spot – Strawberries love sunshine, so choose a place where they’ll get at least 6 hours of sun per day.
2️⃣ Plant in well-drained soil – If planting in the ground, enrich the soil with compost. If using pots, go for a good-quality peat-free compost.
3️⃣ Space them out – Give each plant about 30cm of space to spread out and grow.
4️⃣ Water regularly – Keep the soil moist, especially in dry weather, but avoid soggy conditions.
5️⃣ Mulch for success – A layer of straw or mulch around the plants helps keep weeds down and stops berries from sitting in damp soil.
6️⃣ Feed for fruitfulness – A high-potash fertiliser (like tomato feed) will encourage lots of juicy berries.
Which Type of Strawberry Plant is Best?
Another key question gardeners ask is ‘What are the best strawberry varieties to grow at home?’ It depends on what you’re looking for:
🍓 June-bearing – These produce a big crop in early summer, perfect for jam-making and freezing.
🍓 Ever-bearing – These fruit in smaller bursts throughout summer, giving you a steady supply.
🍓 Alpine – Tiny but packed with flavour, these are great for growing in pots or borders.
At Kings Garden & Leisure in Exmouth and Sidmouth, we’ve got a selection of top-quality strawberry plants, so pop in and pick the best ones for your garden!
How to Get the Best Strawberry Harvest
🍓 Pinch off early flowers – In the first year, remove early blooms to help plants establish strong roots.
🍓 Protect from pests – Birds love strawberries as much as we do! Use netting to keep them from stealing your fruit.
🍓 Pick regularly – The more you pick, the more your plant will produce! Check daily for ripe berries in peak season.
🍓 Save your runners – Strawberry plants send out ‘runners’ (baby plants). Pot these up to grow even more strawberries next year!
The Best Ways to Enjoy Your Homegrown Strawberries
Once your strawberries are ripe and ready, the only challenge is how to enjoy them!
🍰 Classic strawberries & cream – The perfect British summer treat.
🍨 Strawberry ice cream – Homemade and full of flavour.
🥞 Topped on pancakes – A delicious start to any day.
🥤 Blended into smoothies – Fresh, healthy, and refreshing.
Get Growing Today!
Strawberry plants are available now at Kings Garden & Leisure, so visit us in Exmouth or Sidmouth and start your growing journey. Our team is on hand with expert advice to help you get the best from your plants.
There’s nothing quite like the taste of homegrown strawberries – sweet, juicy, and completely worth the wait! 🍓🌿