Patchmates
Sign in
Back

Fruit · Easy to grow

Strawberry

Fragaria × ananassa

A favourite for gardens and pots that fruits from spring into summer. Plant runners in autumn or winter into rich, slightly acidic, well-drained soil, keeping the crown at soil level. Mulch with straw to keep fruit clean, and net against birds.

When to plant where you live

Checking your area…

Add strawberry to my garden

Planting times for other areas

Varieties (3)

  • AlbionDay-neutral; crops spring to autumn with sweet, firm fruit
  • Red GauntletReliable, heavy-cropping Australian standard; good for warm areas
  • TemptationGrows from seed and fruits in the first season; compact for pots

Neighbours

Grows well with

Keep away from

From seed to plate

  1. Plant

    30 cm apart. Full sun.

  2. Water

    Regular; keep fruit off wet soil.

  3. Feed

    Potash-rich feed in spring.

  4. Pick, from about 17 weeks

    Pick when fully red.

Good to know

  • Pinch off runners during fruiting to boost yields; pot some up later for new plants
  • Feed with a potash-rich fertiliser once flowers appear
  • Grow in hanging baskets or troughs to keep fruit off the ground

Common problems

  • Birds, slugs and slaters on fruitnet plants, mulch with straw, trap slugs and pick fruit promptly
  • Grey mould (fuzzy rot on fruit)pick daily, remove rotten fruit, space for airflow
  • Leaf spot and virus declinereplace plants every 2 to 3 years with certified runners
  • Heat stressmulch, water deeply and give afternoon shade in heatwaves

If you use a garden chemical, follow the label exactly. Try organic options first, and ask the community or Plant Doctor if you're unsure.

Ask the garden helper about strawberryAny question, answered from the plant libraryHow others are growing strawberryQuestions, tips and harvests from the community

Guides

Where this information comes from

Reviewed by AI cross-check (Claude), not a horticulturist on 27 Oct 2026. Version 2.