🍓 Strawberry: Growing Guide
Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) grows best in full sun with regular watering, and does well at 0–27 °C (32–81 °F) in soil with a pH of 5.5–6.5. Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart. Expect 60–90 days.
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Fragaria × ananassa |
|---|---|
| Category | Fruit Trees |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Regular |
| Plant spacing | 30 cm (12 in) |
| Soil pH | 5.5–6.5 |
| Comfortable temperature | 0–27 °C (32–81 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 60–90 days |
| Height | 20–30 cm (7.9–12 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | Plant out | ||||||
| Continental | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | Plant out | |||||||
| Oceanic | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | Plant out | ||||||
| Subtropical | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||
| Tropical | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | |||||
| Cold / Northern | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | ||||||||
| Arid / Semi-arid | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Mar–Apr, Sep–Oct · Harvest: May–Jun.
- Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Plant out: Apr, Sep–Oct · Harvest: May–Jun.
- Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Plant out: Mar–Apr, Aug–Sep · Harvest: May–Jun.
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Plant out: Apr, Sep · Harvest: May–Jun, Oct–Nov.
- Tropical (SE Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazon): Plant out: Jan, Aug–Sep · Harvest: Feb–Mar, Oct–Nov.
- Cold / Northern (Scandinavia, Canada, Russia, Alpine): Plant out: May, Sep · Harvest: Jun–Jul.
- Arid / Semi-arid (Arabian Peninsula, inland Australia): Plant out: Apr, Sep · Harvest: May–Jun, Oct–Nov.
Watering
Water about every 2 days in summer and about every 7 days in winter. Avoid wetting fruit and leaves.
Growing tips
Everbearing (remontant) varieties give 2 harvests. Remove runners for larger fruit.
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Common pests and problems
Frequently asked questions
Strawberry: when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Mar–Apr, Sep–Oct · Harvest: May–Jun. Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Plant out: Apr, Sep–Oct · Harvest: May–Jun. Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Plant out: Mar–Apr, Aug–Sep · Harvest: May–Jun.
Strawberry: how often should I water it?
Water about every 2 days in summer and about every 7 days in winter. Avoid wetting fruit and leaves.
Strawberry: how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 30 cm (12 in) apart.
Strawberry: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 60–90 days.
Strawberry: which plants grow well with it?
Spinach, Garlic, Thyme.
Strawberry: which pests and problems should I watch for?
Botrytis, Spider mite.
Plan your garden
Add Strawberry to your garden design in the free GardenXPro planner: drag plants onto a 2D plan, preview it in 3D, check companions and get watering reminders.
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