Choose the right spot and variety
Look for a site with full sun and good drainage. Strawberries need at least six hours of sunlight to ripen well, so place them somewhere sheltered from strong winds. In Devon, the milder winters mean many garden varieties will thrive. Choose varieties suited to your needs: June-bearing types give a big harvest in early summer, while everbearing or day-neutral sorts provide fruit through summer and into autumn. We prefer healthy nursery stock or certified crown plants to reduce disease risk and they'll bear the biggest harvest.
Prepare soil and plant carefully
Aim for a loose, fertile soil rich in organic matter. Work in plenty of well-rotted compost or garden compost and mix in a little well-rotted manure if available. Avoid heavy, waterlogged spots. Plant crowns so the crown sits level with the soil surface, too deep and they rot, too shallow and the roots will dry out. Space plants about 30cm apart in rows or in groups of three for containers. If you need help,
we can build raised beds to improve drainage and reduce bending and back ache when you're tending the plants.
Containers and hanging baskets
Strawberries do very well in pots, troughs and hanging baskets. Use a free-draining compost and a container with good drainage holes. Containers warm up faster in spring, giving earlier fruit, and they can be moved to follow the sun. Remember to water more often in pots, especially during warm spells as they dry out quickly.
Watering, feeding and mulch
Consistent moisture is essential while the fruit develops. I always water mine at soil level in the morning to keep leaves dry and reduce any disease risk. Apply a thin mulch of straw or shredded bark around plants to conserve moisture, suppress weeds and keep berries clean. Feed with a balanced organic fertiliser in early spring and again after the main harvest to promote healthy growth for the next year.
Manage runners and renew beds
Runners are how strawberries spread. For an organised patch, remove most runners in the first year to let plants establish strong crowns. In the second or third year, replace tired rows by allowing a few runners to root into fresh soil or new containers. Rotating where you grow strawberries every few years helps to reduce soil-borne diseases.
Pests, diseases and protection
I monitor the plants regularly for common problems. Birds love ripe fruit, and slugs and snails can cause damage. Use netting to protect the crops from birds and consider pet-friendly, biological slug control or physical barriers for slugs. Keep foliage tidy and remove any diseased leaves promptly to reduce fungal issues. Avoid overhead watering and improve air circulation to help prevent mildew and rot.
Harvesting and storage
Pick strawberries when they're fully red and fragrant because they won’t really ripen much off the plant. Harvest regularly to encourage more fruiting and enjoy them as soon as possible for the best flavour. If you have a glut, freeze or make preserves.
If you’d like personalised advice for your garden or help with planting,
contact our team for advice.
