Growing Strawberries (from seeds)

Fragaria : Rosaceae / the rose family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
  S S                  
        T              
        P P            

(Best months for growing Strawberries (from seeds) in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Start inside in pots or trays after chilling seeds.. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 68°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 12 - 39 inches apart
  • Harvest in approximately 1 years. Seedlings need to grow for about a year before fruiting. Remove first flowers. .
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Better in a bed on their own to allow good sun and air circulation.
  • Avoid growing close to: If you are using rotation beds then avoid putting strawberries where you have grown tomatoes, potatoes, peppers or eggplant.
  • Ripening fruit
  • Strawberry plants

Alpine strawberries are the easiest to grow from seed. They produce tiny, triangular fruit with an intense flavour.

Chill the seeds, in a closed jar or plastic box, 2 - 4 weeks in a home freezer. Allow to return to room temperature in the closed container before sowing.

Sow seeds thinly on seed raising mix/compost. Cover with a thin layer of compost and water in. Keep under cover, either in a greenhouse or indoors near a window. Germination takes 2 to 8 weeks. Plant out into small pots to grow on when 3 leaves have appeared. Then transplant to garden when well grown. After about a year the strawberries will form low-growing leafy plants,between 12 - 15 cm (about 6 inches) high and will spread to about 50 - 100 cm (20 - 40 inches). They have five petalled flowers, usually white or sometimes pink. The flowers are followed by delicious red fruits which have their seeds on the outside. Later in the season, the plants send out runners like thin stems across the garden. They will take root to form new plants.

Protect your plants with some sort of netting or bird scarer or you will lose most of your crop. Strawberries like well drained soil with plenty of humus. To prepare your bed, dig in some compost before planting and possibly use a liquid fertiliser during the growing season. Well fed strawberries taste better. To protect the fruit from moulds use some form of mulch around the plants. Straw, pine needles, or black plastic are all suitable. Mulch will also help suppress weeds.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Strawberries (from seeds)

Strawberries can be used in any dessert needing soft fruit or berries. Summer pudding with raspberries and blackberries or boysenberries, mousse, trifle, dipped in melted chocolate or just with cream.
Sprinkle a bowl of strawberries with balsamic vinegar and a little sugar to enhance the flavour and colour.
Straight from the garden, warmed by the sun is best.

Your comments and tips

23 Apr 12, Chobbzy (Australia - temperate climate)
I have planted 1 strawberry plant into one of my aquaponics grow beds (have saved this from my chooks) on planting growth took off very well, first impressions are its happy so far.
30 May 12, adedayo (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Can strawberries be grown in the sub-sahara africa?
21 Feb 13, Khomo (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I bought some strawberry seeds, but have never seen a small seedling of two or three leaves, I would like to know how it looks like or anyone post a clear photo of it, so I'll be sure if they sold me the real thing...
24 Nov 21, corne (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Hi. Where did you buy the seeds from?
05 Mar 13, Tanya Herbert (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Hi I live in the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town (Parow North). Where can I purchase strawberry seeds or seedlings?
01 Apr 13, khomo (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I think you can ask your local farmer for seedlings if you just plant at home, they normaly throw some out to thin the runners or you can try looking at bidorbuy for seeds, I also got them there...
05 May 13, Khomo (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Hi Tanya Did you come right with the seedlings? My seeds which I bought are growing, the problem is the cold winter which I think to keep it away by making a small greenhouse with controlled temperature until they are nature for outside.
22 Jul 13, khomo (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Hi Does anyone know the company or the place which can legaly source me a specific strawberry variety from outside SA, something like Yael or Tamar variety from Israel, which was destroyed in one of SA's farms about 12yrs ago, does anyone know the rule of getting it legaly for cormmecial use? Thank you in advance
23 Nov 13, giusi (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
We bought some small plants that were grown from seed from Zetlers, famous strawberry producers, in Lyndoch, Stellenbosch area. They are producing delicious strawberries, and he said they came from Israel.
12 Jan 14, Khomo (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Hi Giusi Can you give me the link on how to get hold of them I'm in KZN rural, happened to get to internet and learn but far from any nursery... Thanks in advance
Showing 1 - 10 of 90 comments

I bought some strawberry seeds, but have never seen a small seedling of two or three leaves, I would like to know how it looks like or anyone post a clear photo of it, so I'll be sure if they sold me the real thing...

- Khomo

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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