Ask any strawberry grower what they would improve if they could and they will probably say… More fruit. Here in the UK we have a short fruiting season between frosts so it’s crucial to get as much from each plant as we can. Read on to find out how to grow more strawberries.
Let’s start with the basics, because if the foundations are right then everything else should just fall into place.
How To Grow More Strawberries
Strawberries need free draining soil, full sunshine and to be sheltered from the wind. As with all plants the soil is the most important factor, and strawberries need a mixture of either well rotted manure or compost and soil. Why free draining? because like all plants they need water but too much will rot the crown.
Water when dry, but don’t drown your plants because that will kill them. Full sun light is best but strawberries will tolerate some shade.
How Long Does A Strawberry Plant Take To Produce Fruit
Growing in the right soil and in the correct position strawberry plants can produce fruit within 4-6 weeks depending on the variety grown. The best time to plant strawberries is Spring, this gives them time to establish roots and time to fruit. From a late April planting it is possible to get fruit from your strawberry by the middle/end of May.
As we only have a relatively short growing season and as plants use up nutrients quickly it is important to feed your plants to give a nutrient boost.
What Is The Best Fertiliser For Strawberries
There are many fertilisers on the market and the variation in price is amazing. Some advise a special strawberry fertiliser which is about £9.00 for a litre bottle others go for growmore, and so on. I use my home made comfrey tea fertiliser (the same one I use for my tomatoes) which costs nothing and is very effective. To find out more about comfrey tea click here.
When To Fertilise Strawberries
Once strawberry plants start to produce flowers it’s time to fertilise them. Add comfrey tea (or whatever you decide to use) to a watering can every 7-14 days and continue after plants have finished fruiting for a few weeks.
How Are Strawberries Made
If you didn’t know the answer to this, you probably guessed after reading the last bit. Strawberries like most fruit are made by their flowers being pollinated and then they produce the fruit. The plants can propagate from seed but the easiest way for strawberry plants to make more plants is by runners.
What To Do With Runners On Strawberry Plants
This depends on whether you have enough strawberry plants and also on whether you want more fruit. You see the plant uses its energy to produce both, runners and fruit, if you have enough plants snip the runners off. By getting rid of the runners your plant will invest its energy into producing more fruit (its whole function is to reproduce).
How To Get More Strawberries Using Runners
If however you want more strawberry plants just allow the runners to spread and they will root. You can encourage this rooting by lightly pinning the runner down, once it has rooted the runner can be cut and the new plant dug up and planted wherever you want. This will in turn produce strawberries so you can increase your yield in this way.
Remember that plants that produce runners will not produce many if any fruits so the choice is yours. Also keep in mind that after the third year of production it is advisable to replace your strawberry plants and runners are the cheapest option. Plus runners produce the same variety as you are already growing and if you like this particular type then encourage runners.
Are You Getting Strawberry Flowers But No Fruit?
There are 2 main reasons for this either the birds/slugs or snails are eating them before you can harvest them. Or the flowers are not getting pollinated this is where companion planting comes in. You need to attract helpful pollinating insects by growing the plants they need either to feed on or to prey on pests.
I find the best companion plants for attracting pollinators to strawberries are borage and thyme. For a much more in depth look at what grows well with strawberries click here.
How Do You Increase The Yield Of Strawberries
The secrets on how to grow more strawberries are all about nature really, some we can influence and some we can’t. Below is a list of the main points just to recap.
- Position plants in as much natural light as possible
- Water regularly but don’t over water
- Feed with fertiliser once flowers appear
- Remove runners to promote fruit growth
- Deter birds, slugs snails and other pests
- Grow companion plants to attract pollinators
The Best Plants To Attract Pollinators To Strawberry Plants
Borage
This herb is a great plant to grow because it adds many nutrients to the soil when it composts down. Bees and hoverflies are attracted to borage due to its abundance of nectar rich flowers. For more on companion planting borage click here.
Thyme
Allow thyme to flower to attract many pollinators including bees, hoverflies and butterflies.I only grow thyme to attract pollinators not to use in the kitchen. For more information on herbs as companion plants click here.
How To Grow More Strawberries In Containers
To grow more strawberries in containers just apply all the above. If you don’t have containers large enough to add companion plants grow them in their own pots and position them close to the strawberry pots. For more information on growing strawberries in containers click here.
Summary In Pictures
Here’s a short video just to summarise the main points from this post.