{"id":1781119,"date":"2022-06-17T15:11:33","date_gmt":"2022-06-17T15:11:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/?p=1781119"},"modified":"2023-06-01T05:35:45","modified_gmt":"2023-06-01T10:35:45","slug":"how-to-grow-strawberries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/article\/how-to-grow-strawberries\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Grow Strawberries Inside and Out"},"content":{"rendered":"Just about anyone can learn how to grow strawberries, believe it or not. If you've got sun, you've got potential! The plants are super flexible and surprisingly easy to grow.\r\n\r\nStrawberries can be planted annually or every few years in most of the country. Most people with a yard will find it fairly easy to keep strawberries growing for fresh fruit whenever they want it. And why limit your efforts to outside\u2014a sunny window can work too!\r\n
Shallow-rooted strawberries can thrive in containers. The best part? Containers can be located near doors for optimum grazing and moved around for max sun exposure.<\/p>\r\n
Strawberry pots come in many materials including ceramic, terracotta<\/a> and plastic to maximize the growing surface, but really anything with drainage will work. Since the soil dries more quickly, you will have to up the watering schedule. Think about day-neutral or everbearing varieties for fruit beyond spring. Unlike in-ground, skip the flower pinching for immediate rewards!<\/p>\r\n One note: containers can crack in cold weather and plants are vulnerable, too. To save both in freezing temps, overwinter strawberries in the ground with mulch and if desired, return to containers come spring.<\/p>\r\n If you don't have a lot of space on the ground, try planting your strawberries in soda bottles<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\nHow to Harvest Strawberries<\/h2>\r\n
\r\n\r\nTo pick strawberries, gently twist or snip the stem of fully colored berries, leaving the hull intact. They won't ripen on the counter, so it's important to pick ones that are already ripe.\r\n\r\nStore unwashed in the fridge if you can resist eating them immediately, or use your favorite methods for storing strawberries<\/a> to keep them fresh. Canning or freezing strawberries<\/a> can help you savor summer in the winter months. Now you're all set to make your favorite strawberry recipes<\/a>!\r\n
Strawberry Growing FAQs<\/h2>\r\n
How long does it take strawberries to grow?<\/h3>\r\nFor established plants, expect fruit 4 to 6 weeks after flowering. June-bearing will be done fruiting after several weeks around their namesake month. Day-neutral strawberries reward all season and make a great container option.\r\n
Can you grow strawberries from seed?<\/h3>\r\nYes, you can! Strawberry seeds<\/a> are widely available and inexpensive. That said, they need patience and possibly grow lights. Press seeds into a damp soilless potting mix and keep them moist for several weeks until they start growing. Transplant to larger cells or pots as size demands. Some seeds might need a deep freeze to trick them into thinking they've had winter. Expect fruit in the second year.\r\n
Can you grow strawberries indoors?<\/h3>\r\nCultivating in the house is similar to outside with one exception\u2014pollination. For faster fruit, start with bare root or already established plants. Pick a super sunny spot or add grow lights<\/a>. The container must have good drainage. Dampen potting mix and keep the plant crown at soil level or just above. When flowers appear, use a paintbrush or cotton swab to mix the outer edge of the flower center with the middle. Now you've become a bee!\r\n
Extra Hints to Grow the Best Strawberries<\/h2>\r\n
\r\n\r\nEven well-cared-for strawberry plants will likely need replacing every 3 to 5 years. Use runners from a mother June-bearing plant or try new varieties.\r\n\r\nGarden friends like chipmunks appreciate strawberries too. To protect the crop, consider chicken wire fencing or non-toxic repellents, or plant enough to share!\r\n\r\n\t\t\t