Strawberries are an alluring fruit. They are somewhat like lychees. They are green when raw. But they turn bright red when ripe. However, strawberries are attractive and popular for their bright color, flavor and nutrition. They are full of vitamin C. Apart from vitamin C, they contain minerals and other valuable nutrients. Today, in this article I will share how to grow strawberries from seeds. So, let's get started.
First, you should know about the best time to grow strawberries, suitable soil and climate and best varieties. Then you will start growing them. Let's know about these step by step.
When to Plant Strawberries
Best Time to Plant Strawberries
The best time to plant strawberries depends on the location and variety. For June-bearing strawberries, plant them in early spring, especially from March to April. For everbearing or day-neutral types, plant them in early spring or late summer especially from March to April or late August to September.
Suitable Soil and Climate
Strawberries can be grown on fertile loam to sandy loam soils where water accumulates. Mainly, they are mild winter crops. Dry weather is needed for their flowering and fruiting.
Best Varieties of Strawberries
The best strawberry varieties are Albion (sweet and everbearing), Seascape (high yield), Chandler (juicy and versatile), Honeoye (early harvest) and Ozark Beauty (cold-hardy). For unique flavors, you can grow Mara Des Bois (French gourmet) or Pineberry (white and pineapple-like). Choose any one from the above varieties.
Growing strawberries
You can grow strawberries from seeds and runners. If you grow strawberries from runners, you will get bumper crops. But if you wish to grow strawberries from seeds, you can grow. Now let's see how to grow strawberries from seeds.
How to Grow Strawberries from Seeds
- Before growing strawberries from seeds, you have to make special soil. For this, you will mix 25% garden soil, 25% cocopeat, 25% sand and 25% compost.
- Collect strawberry seeds with hybrid variety
- Dry them for four hours
- Cool them and soak them in a glass of water in the afternoon.
- Fill the pots with the prepared special soil.
- The next morning, sprinkle the seeds on top soil of the pot.
- Cover them with soil lightly and spray water lightly.
- Cover the pot with polythene.
- Keep the pot in a shady place.
- Check regularly whether the water in the pot dries up till germinating the seeds. If it feels dry, spray with light water.
- After germinating the seeds, keep the pot in the sunlight little by little.
- After 3-4 days, keep the pot in direct sunlight.
- When the seedlings are one month old, plant them in other pots.
Apart from this method, you can make strawberry seedlings from runners or collect them from the nursery.
How to plant strawberries
Planting Strawberry Seedlings
You can
plant strawberry seedlings in the ground or in the containers. Now let's see
how to plant strawberry seedlings in the ground or in the containers.
Planting Strawberries in the Ground
To plant strawberry seedlings in the ground, cultivate the land 1 foot deep and clean it well. At the time of last cultivation, add necessary fertilizer to the soil. Then make beds 3 feet wide in the ground for planting seedlings. Then keep a 1-1.5 feet wide drain between the two beds. Then maintain a distance of 1.5-2 feet between the two lines in each bed. Finally, plant strawberry seedlings 1-inch deep in each row keeping 1-1.5 feet apart.
Planting Strawberries in Containers
Planting strawberries in containers is easy. For this, take a 12-inch container with two drainage holes for each seedling. Fill each container with nutrient rich soil. Then plant one seedling 1 inch deep in each container.
After planting the seedlings in the ground or in the containers, water the roots of the seedlings properly.
Caring for Strawberry Plants
Watering
When the
land is dry, water the land regularly. And, when the soil above the container
dries up and turns white, water the top soil in the afternoon.
Fertilizing
15 days
after planting strawberry seedlings, apply nutritious fertilizer to the
land. For this, use 100-120 kg of dry rotted cow dung, 1 kg of urea
fertilizer, 800 g of TSP fertilizer, 900 g of MOP fertilizer and 600 g of
gypsum fertilizer per 435.6 sq.ft. And, use liquid organic fertilizer in
the containers. For this, rot leaves and dung cow dung cake tea are the best.
Controlling Diseases and Insects
To control strawberry diseases like powdery mildew, gray mold and verticillium wilt, remove infected leaves and improve airflow. And, to control insects like aphids, spider mites and strawberry weevils, use natural predators or insecticidal soap. You can apply fungicides for diseases and rotate crops to prevent recurring issues. However, keep strawberry plants healthy with proper care.
Harvesting Strawberries
Strawberries are ready to harvest when they turn fully red and become slightly soft to touch. So, check daily during peak season because they ripen quickly. However, gently twist or snip the stem above the berry to avoid damage. You will harvest strawberries in the morning for fresh and sweeter flavor.
Storing Strawberries
To store strawberries, Place unwashed strawberries in a breathable container lined with paper towels to absorb moisture. Keep them in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days. For longer storage, freeze them on a tray by washing, drying and hulling.
Other Care
Direct contact with soil causes strawberry fruits to rot. For this, cover the strawberry bed with straw or black polythene after 20-25 days of planting. Always keep the land or containers free from weeds. After planting the seedlings, a lot of runners or small creepers start coming out from its roots. They cover the land or containers. They oppose producing good crops. So, cut the runners after 10-15 days.
Finally, growing strawberries from seeds is easier than your imagination. With the right steps and a little patience, you can enjoy fresh and juicy strawberries from your home garden. However, I think from this article, you have learned well how to grow strawberries from seeds. Now follow the steps and start growing strawberries from seeds.
If you have anything unknown about it, don't forget to share it in the comment box below.
