Good news: Its relatively easy and inexpensive to grow strawberries from seed.
So taking the time to give them a good start will absolutely be worth it in the long run.
December is a good time to start the process of growing strawberries from seed.
The Spruce / K. Dave
Before you begin planting strawberry seeds, you’ll need to stratify the seeds.
This simply means giving the seeds a chilling period to get to help with germination.
Place the entire seed pack into the freezer (not a deep freezer) for three to four weeks.
The Spruce / K. Dave
After they’ve chilled, remove them from the freezer and bring the seeds to room temperature.
Place the tray under grow lights, as strawberries need light to germinate.
Allow several weeks for germination.
The Spruce / K. Dave
Be patient: seeds may germinate anywhere from 7 days to 6 weeks.
Keep the seed tray in temperatures of 65 to 75 degrees.
Do not let the seeds dry out.
The Spruce / K. Dave
Provide good airflow to avoid dampening off.
Once the seeds begin growing, keep the grow light about two inches above the plant.
Light that’s too far away from the seedlings cause thin, leggy plants.
Harden off plants before placing them in the garden or outdoor containers.
Plant after last spring frost.
But a drawback is you likely won’t have a good harvest of fruit for a year after planting.
Enjoy fruit the second and third year.
This is certainly a case where good things come to those who wait.
Location
Strawberry plants can go almost anywhere.
They also dont grow very deep roots.
Tending Strawberries
Strawberries can be everbearers, meaning they provide fruit to harvest all season long.
Or they can be summer-fruiting, having one big harvest time.
Toencourage the best growth from your plants, provide well-draining soil fed with organic compost or fertilizer.
A mature strawberry plant will likely be no more than 6 to 12 inches high.
And if the birds are beating you to the harvest, consider placing a low tunnel over your plants.
However, strawberry plants tend to decline in fruit production after three years.
Simply snip strawberry runners from the parent plant, and replant them to extend your strawberry bed.
Many types of strawberry plants require at least six to eight hours of sun per day.
If they get too hot, though, the fruit can get sunburnt.
Strawberry plants have runners that stretch out from the plant and produce their own roots.
