Growing Strawberries on an Allotment

Strawberries are a high-value, crowd-pleasing crop that rewards good preparation with heavy harvests. They’re versatile (beds, raised beds, containers, hanging baskets), relatively quick to establish, and can crop for several years with the right care. Most gardeners use plug plants (runners) for speed and reliability, but strawberries can also be grown from seed if you’re patient.

This guide covers how to grow strawberries from seed and plug plants, when to plant, spacing, watering and feeding, pests and diseases, container vs ground growing, and proven ways to boost yields.

🍓 1. Types of Strawberries You Can Grow

🌼 Summer-Fruiting

• Main crop in early–mid summer

• Large, heavy yields over 2–3 weeks

• Best for freezing and preserving

🌼 Ever-bearing / Perpetual

• Smaller flushes from early summer to autumn

• Great for fresh picking over a long season

🌼 Alpine Strawberries

• Small, intensely flavoured fruits

• Often grown from seed

• Excellent for edging and pots

(All types are grown similarly; timing and harvest patterns differ.)

🌰 2. Ways to Grow Strawberries

From Plug Plants / Runners (Recommended)

The most common and reliable method.

Pros

• Fast establishment

• Crops same year (summer planting) or next spring

• True to variety

Cons

• Higher upfront cost

From Seed

Less common, mainly for alpine types.

Pros

• Cheap

• Fun and varied

Cons

• Slower to crop

• Variable results

👉 For most allotments, plug plants are best.

🗓️ 3. When to Plant Strawberries

Plug Plants / Runners

• Best time: July–September (for best crops next year)

• Alternative: March–April (lighter first crop)

From Seed

• Sow indoors: Jan–March

• Plant out: Late spring

Strawberries are hardy once established.

🌾 4. How to Grow Strawberries in the Ground

Soil & Position

• Free-draining, fertile soil

• Sunny position (minimum 6 hours)

• Plenty of compost added before planting

Avoid planting where strawberries or potatoes grew recently (disease risk).

Spacing (Very Important)

• Between plants: 30–45cm

• Between rows: 75cm

Good spacing improves airflow and reduces disease.

Planting Depth

• The crown must sit at soil level

• Too deep = rot

• Too shallow = drying out

Water well after planting.

🪴 5. Growing Strawberries in Containers

Strawberries are excellent container plants.

Container Guidelines

• Depth: 20–25cm minimum

• One plant per 3–5L of compost

• Hanging baskets, troughs, and pots all work

Containers:

• warm up faster

• avoid soil-borne disease

• need more frequent watering

💧 6. Watering Strawberries

Consistent moisture is critical.

Best Practice

• Water regularly during flowering and fruiting

• Water soil, not leaves

• Mulch with straw to retain moisture

Dry stress causes:

• small fruit

• poor flavour

• misshapen berries

🌿 7. Feeding Strawberries

Strawberries are moderate feeders.

Feeding Schedule

• Compost before planting

• Feed when flowers appear

• Use a high-potash (tomato) feed every 1–2 weeks

Overfeeding nitrogen = leaves instead of fruit.

🐛 8. Common Pests & Diseases

Slugs & Snails

• Eat ripening fruit

Control

• Straw mulch

• Barriers

• Pick early morning

Birds

• Steal ripe fruit

Control

• Netting

• Grow in cages or containers

Grey Mould (Botrytis)

Symptoms

• Fuzzy grey mould on fruit

Prevention

• Good spacing

• Straw mulch

• Remove affected fruit quickly

Vine Weevil (Containers)

• Wilting plants, chewed roots

Use biological controls and avoid reusing infected compost.

✂️ 9. Runners, Renovation & Long-Term Care

Runners

• Remove runners during fruiting

• Use runners to create new plants after harvest

Renovation (Summer-Fruiting)

After harvest:

• Remove old leaves

• Feed and water well

• Keep weed-free

Replace plants every 3–4 years for best yields.

🧺 10. Harvesting Strawberries

• Pick fully red fruits

• Harvest every 1–2 days in peak season

• Use scissors to avoid damaging plants

Freshly picked strawberries are at their best immediately.

🌾 11. Improving Strawberry Yields

• Plant at the right depth

• Replace old plants regularly

• Water consistently

• Feed during flowering

• Protect fruit from soil and pests

Strawberries reward careful attention during fruiting.

⚡ Quick Strawberry Growing Tips

• Summer planting = best crops

• Straw mulch keeps fruit clean

• Remove runners early

• Containers reduce pest pressure

🧠 Key Strawberry Principles

• Correct planting depth matters

• Moisture during fruiting is essential

• Replace plants every few years

• Clean, dry fruit = better flavour

Photo by Amber on Unsplash