Fruit Gardening - Sow It Grow It and Feast

Is there anything better than the sweet, juicy taste of a freshly picked strawberry, still warm from the sun? Growing your own strawberries is not only rewarding but also a fantastic way to enjoy better-tasting fruit than you’ll typically find in the supermarket. Whether you’re a gardening novice or a seasoned green thumb, strawberries are a joy to grow, and with the right care, you can enjoy a season-long supply of these delicious berries. Let’s explore how to grow strawberries at home, from choosing the best UK varieties to harvesting the juiciest fruits.

The Best Strawberry Varieties to Grow

The UK climate is perfect for growing strawberries, but selecting the right variety can make all the difference. Here are some of the most popular and reliable options to consider:

Cambridge Favourite

A classic variety that thrives in the UK, Cambridge Favourite produces medium-sized, sweet strawberries and is highly reliable, even in cooler conditions.

Honeoye

This early-season variety is known for its excellent yield and strong, tangy flavour. It’s a great choice if you want to get your strawberry season off to a quick start.

Elsanta

Often found on supermarket shelves, Elsanta is a high-yielding and flavoursome choice. While it can be vulnerable to disease, careful attention and good growing conditions can make it an excellent homegrown option.

Mara des Bois

For something a little special, this perpetual variety offers smaller, intensely fragrant berries with a wild strawberry-like flavour. It’s perfect for those who want a taste of luxury.

It’s ideal to plant a variety of early, mid, and late-season strawberries to extend your harvesting period and make the most of the summer.

How to Enjoy Season-Long Strawberry Picking

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have strawberries for weeks on end? The secret lies in staggering your planting and choosing varieties that ripen at different times. Here’s how to plan for a season-long harvest:

Plant Early Season Varieties

Start with early varieties like Honeoye to enjoy strawberries as early as late May.

Add Midseason Varieties

Include midseason favourites like Cambridge Favourite, which ripen in June, to keep the momentum going.

Extend with Perpetual Varieties

Lastly, plant perpetual varieties, like Mara des Bois, which produce fruit from mid-summer all the way to autumn.

This mix ensures that you’ll have a steady stream of strawberries rather than a single overwhelming harvest.

When to Grow Strawberries

Strawberries are best planted in late summer or early autumn, giving them enough time to establish roots before winter sets in. However, if you’ve missed this window, don’t worry. Spring planting is also an option, although your plants may take a little longer to produce fruit.

Late Summer/Early Autumn

Planting in late August or September allows the plants to settle in before the winter months, ensuring strong growth in spring.

Spring Planting

If planting in the spring, be sure to choose bare-root plants or potted runners and give them plenty of water to kickstart their growth.

For those lacking space in the garden, strawberries grow wonderfully in containers or hanging baskets, making them an excellent choice for patios or balconies.

Caring for Your Strawberry Plants

Strawberry plants aren’t overly demanding, but caring for them correctly ensures tastier, more abundant harvests. Follow these tips:

Positioning

Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil. Strawberries thrive on sunlight, so aim for at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight per day.

Feeding

Feed your plants with a high-potassium fertiliser, such as tomato feed, once flowers start to appear. This encourages fruit production.

Watering

Strawberries need consistent watering, especially during fruiting. However, avoid overwatering, as soggy soil can lead to root rot.

Mulching

Strawberries positioned on bare soil can rot. Add a layer of straw, wood chips or black polythene under the plants to protect the fruit, retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Weed Management

Strawberries hate competition from weeds, so keep the soil around the plants weed-free.

Tips for the Tastiest Strawberries

If you’re after strawberries bursting with flavour, a few simple tricks can make a big difference:

Choose the Right Soil

Strawberries prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. Test your soil and amend it if necessary.

Plant Them in the Right Spot

Strawberries grown in sunny, sheltered areas develop the best flavour. Ensure they have adequate space for airflow to prevent fungal diseases.

Enrich the Soil

Incorporate well-rotted compost or manure into the soil before planting to provide the nutrients essential for growth.

Remove Runners

While tempting, it’s best to remove runners (the long stems producing new plants) during the growing season. This will concentrate the plant’s energy on producing larger, tastier fruit.

Pick Regularly

Regular harvesting encourages more fruit production. Don’t allow overripe fruit to remain on the plant, as it can attract pests.

When to Harvest Your Strawberries

Harvesting your strawberries at the perfect time is key to enjoying their delicious flavour. Look for fully red, glossy berries that are firm to the touch. Gently pluck the fruit by the stem, rather than pulling, to avoid damaging the plant.

Most varieties ripen over a window of one to two weeks, so check your plants daily during peak harvesting times. Once picked, strawberries are best eaten fresh but can also be frozen, turned into jam, or used for baking if you find yourself with a surplus.

Get Started With Your Own Strawberry Patch

Growing strawberries at home is a joy, offering a sweet reward for your efforts. With the right varieties, care, and attention, you can enjoy sun-kissed strawberries throughout the growing season.

Whether you’re transforming a corner of your garden into a strawberry patch or filling an array of hanging baskets, there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of growing your own fruit. Why not get started today and experience the unbeatable taste of homegrown strawberries?

Further Reading: How to Grow Beans, How to Grow Broccoli, A Guide to Growing Broad Beans this Spring

Recognising Ripeness

Knowing when to harvest is crucial for getting the best flavour and nutrition from your vegetables. Root vegetables like carrots and beetroots should be firm and have a vibrant colour. For leafy greens, look for lush and full leaves. Tomatoes should be slightly soft to the touch but still firm enough to hold their shape.

Image of Farmers gathered around preparing the vegetables for Storage. — The Garden Harvest

Timing is Everything

Harvesting your vegetables at the right time of day can also make a difference. Early morning is often the best time, as vegetables are most hydrated from the overnight dew. Avoid harvesting in the heat of the day, which can cause wilting and reduce the quality of your produce.

Weather Watch

Paying attention to the weather forecast can help you decide the best times to harvest. For root vegetables, waiting until after a light frost can actually enhance their sweetness. However, ensure that you harvest before any hard frost to avoid damage.

Harvesting Techniques for Different Vegetables

Root Vegetables

Root vegetables like carrots, beetroots and potatoes need to be carefully dug out. Use a garden fork to gently lift them from the ground, being cautious not to damage them. Brush off excess dirt, but don’t wash them until you’re ready to use them to prevent rot.

Leafy Greens

For leafy greens like spinach, kale and lettuce, use sharp scissors or a knife to snip the leaves off just above the base. This encourages new growth and prolongs your harvest season. Always choose the outer leaves first to allow the inner leaves to mature.

Fruiting Vegetables

Tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers need to be picked at their prime. Twist or cut them off the plant to avoid damaging the stems. For tomatoes, consider leaving them on a windowsill to ripen if they haven’t fully matured on the vine.

Storing Your Harvest

Cool and Dark Spaces

Root vegetables like potatoes, carrots and beetroots store best in cool, dark places. A cellar or a cool basement is ideal. Store them in breathable containers like wooden crates or burlap sacks to allow airflow and prevent mould.

Refrigeration

Leafy greens and herbs should be rinsed, dried, and stored in the refrigerator. Use airtight containers or plastic bags with a damp paper towel inside to maintain moisture levels. This keeps them fresh and crisp for longer periods.

Freezing for Longevity

Freezing is an excellent way to preserve vegetables that you can’t consume immediately. Blanch vegetables like beans, peas and corn by boiling them briefly and then plunging them into ice water. Once cooled, place them in airtight bags and freeze.

Fermenting and Pickling

Fermentation Basics

Fermentation is a traditional method of preserving vegetables that also enhances their nutritional value. Vegetables like cabbage (for sauerkraut) and cucumbers (for pickles) can be fermented by submerging them in a saltwater brine and allowing natural bacteria to do their work.

Pickling Steps

Pickling involves preserving vegetables in a vinegar solution. This method is perfect for cucumbers, carrots and onions. Sterilise your jars, pack them with vegetables and a mix of spices, then pour over a hot vinegar solution. Seal the jars and store them in a cool, dark place.

Benefits of Fermented Foods

Fermented foods are great for gut health due to their probiotic content. They also add a tangy flavour to your meals and can be stored for several months, making them a practical method of preservation.

Drying and Dehydrating

Sun Drying

Sun drying is an ancient method of preserving vegetables like tomatoes and herbs. Simply slice your vegetables thinly and lay them out on a mesh screen in a sunny spot. Cover with a fine cloth to keep insects away and turn them regularly.

Using a Dehydrator

A food dehydrator offers a more controlled environment for drying vegetables. This method is suitable for mushrooms, peppers and herbs. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the best results and store the dried vegetables in airtight containers.

Advantages of Dried Vegetables

Dried vegetables are lightweight and take up less storage space. They can be rehydrated for use in soups, stews and casseroles, ensuring you have access to your garden’s bounty throughout the year.

Creating a Root Cellar

Ideal Conditions

A root cellar is one of the best ways to store a large harvest of root vegetables. The ideal conditions are cool temperatures, high humidity and good ventilation. The temperature should remain between 0°C and 4°C, with a humidity level of around 95%.

Building Tips

If you’re constructing a root cellar, consider using materials that provide good insulation, like straw bales or earth. Ensure that there is adequate ventilation to prevent mould and rot. You can also convert a corner of your basement into a root cellar with proper adjustments.

Maintenance

Check your stored vegetables regularly for signs of spoilage. Remove any that show signs of rot to prevent it from spreading to other vegetables. Proper maintenance will ensure your root cellar remains an effective storage solution.

Using Cold Frames and Cloche

Extending the Season

Cold frames and cloches can help extend the growing season into autumn and even early winter. These structures provide a microclimate that protects young plants from frost and allows for continued growth.

Building a Cold Frame

A cold frame is a low, box-like structure with a transparent lid. You can build one using reclaimed wood and an old window. Place it over your garden bed to protect seedlings and extend the harvest season for leafy greens and herbs.

Using a Cloche

A cloche is a smaller, portable version of a cold frame. It can be placed over individual plants or rows. Use cloches to protect young plants from early frosts or to give warmth-loving plants like tomatoes a longer growing season.

The Benefits of Seasonal Eating

Nutritional Advantages

Eating vegetables in season means you’re consuming them at their peak nutritional value. Seasonal vegetables are fresher, tastier and often grown without the need for excessive pesticides.

Environmental Impact

Seasonal eating reduces the carbon footprint associated with transporting out-of-season produce. It supports local farming and reduces the need for long-haul transportation, which is better for the planet.

Economic Savings

Seasonal vegetables are often more affordable because they are abundant and don’t require expensive growing conditions. Buying in season helps you save money while enjoying the freshest produce available.

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Further Reading: How to Start your own Vegetable Patch