How to Grow

From seed

Strawberries can be grown from packaged crowns, small plants, or seeds.

Packaged crowns are available in winter and, because they usually possess a substantial root system, they'll give the plants a head start.

Choose a spot in the garden that's sunny.

Plant crowns, small plants, or sow seeds into well-drained soil, enriched with fertilizer.

Keep the soil moist as the plants establish or the seed germinates and then mulch with an organic mulch.

Feed weekly with berry plant food, to promote healthy leaf growth, strong root development and lots of delicious berries.

If transplanting, do so when plants are big enough to handle.

From seedling

Small strawberry plants in mini pots are easier to find in the warmer months.

If transplanting, do so when plants are big enough to handle.

From Plant

Berries are happy to grow in pots, or even in hanging pots.

Once you've chosen your pot or basket, make sure it's a sunny spot.

Plant crowns, plants or sow seeds into well-drained soil, enriched with fertilizer.

Keep the soil moist as the plants establish or the seed germinates and then mulch with an organic mulch.

Feed weekly with plant food to promote healthy leaf growth, strong root development, and lots of delicious berries.

Collect seed

One of the most common ways to remove strawberry seeds is to blend the berries and then extract the seeds from the pulp.

To do this, you will need five or more mature, ripe, and healthy strawberries.

You will destroy some of the seeds in the process, but strawberries have lots to spare.

Move to a sink and run water through the strainer to help wash away excess pulp.

When you're done, the strainer should have a bunch of unbroken seeds left in the bottom.

Spread these out on a piece of paper towel and allow them to air dry.

Remove any large bits of pulp that are still mixed in with the seeds.

Or, another way to remove the seeds from a strawberry is to scrape them off with a knife.

To start, place about five ripe and healthy strawberries in an airtight container and place them in the freezer overnight.

Place the harvested seeds on a sheet of clean paper towel and leave them to dry.

Use the strawberries for eating or cooking.

Strawberry seeds will germinate much faster if you freeze them first, because this tricks the seeds into going through their regular winter cycle.

When the seeds thaw and warm up, they get kicked into their spring cycle and begin to germinate right away.

When you're ready to plant, remove the seeds from the freezer and allow them to warm up to room temperature.

Leave them in the air-tight container until they’ve warmed up.