Ten Tips for Great Strawberries 

I started growing strawberries 10 years ago, so technically I am still a beginner, but I have learned a lot in the last few years, so hopefully I can give you some of the knowledge about strawberry growing I have learned along the way.

TEN TIPS FOR SUPER STRAWBERRIES 

 TIP 1. 

Pick a variety that grows well in your region. There are hundreds of varieties around the world, in Ireland ( or my back garden), my best crops are Elsanta and Honeoye, which are both June croppers and produce nice big strawberries. You can buy everbearing strawberries, but in my opinion, the taste is not as good. Anyway, to me, strawberries are a summer fruit, so I don’t mind waiting.

TIP 2.

Plant anytime between January and June if you buy your plants in pots. If you buy bare roots, it is better to plant either early in the season or in autumn the year before, so they can set flowers, but protect from frost with straw or fleece.

TIP 3.

Plant them level in the soil – make sure no roots are exposed, but the crown is not covered either. Give them plenty of food to get them started, strawberries love well-rotted manure – each to their own!

TIP 4.

Keep them well watered but not saturated, they love a good drink especially when setting fruit, how do you think they produce all those juicy berries? Don’t let them get over-saturated though strawberries do not like wet feet so, well-draining soil is a must, which is why I grow in a raised bed my garden is a quagmire usually.
 

TIP 5

To get a strong plant with plenty of fruits, pick out the runners, which are the long shoots they produce with small plants on them. Strawberries can actually take over a bed if you're not careful. We did this last year, and our harvest was huge. But if you want to make new plants, you can pot up the runners in small pots and once established, cut from the adult plant. But be careful with this method, if your adult plants have any diseases, they will be passed down to the young plants.

TIP 6

You will have to protect you prize Strawberries from pests like slugs and birds. You can build a bird cage from netting or use our method and have three cats, which is not always practical! As for slugs, you can read all about my methods for dealing with the slimy creatures HERE

TIP 7 

When the fruit is setting, you can place straw underneath it to keep up off the soil to prevent rot. Just make sure the straw doesn’t attract pests like earwigs – yuck. 

TIP 8 

When the fruit is ripe, pick regularly to encourage more flower production. You can always use your strawberries t0 make jams, cakes or freeze them, which does work. We had strawberries in the freezer until Christmas.

And all the “ugly” strawberries that happen at the end of the season are great for chopping and putting with other fruits for smoothie mixes which also can be stored in the freezer.

TIP 9

Once your plants have finished producing, don’t ignore them. Keep feeding them until winter.  June flowering plants set their flowers in September the year before, and you want lots of flowers. Also, trim back the old leaves to give the crown plenty of sunlight.

TIP 10 

Strawberries get a bit tired after 3–4 years. Replace old plants or pot up new ones from runners to keep your patch productive. Fresh plants = fresh berries. 

🍓 Bonus Organic Yarden Tips

• Try Companion Planting – Borage and thyme are strawberry super-friends. They attract pollinators and help ward off pests. Plus, they look gorgeous alongside your berry plants.
  
  
  

• Get Creative with Spaces – Don’t limit strawberries to beds! Grow in vertical planters, hanging baskets, wall pockets, or even recycled containers to keep them slug-safe and stylish.
  
  
  

• Pick Often – The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Morning harvests are best—berries are cooler, sweeter, and less likely to attract insects.
  
  
  

• 💚 Final Thoughts

• Strawberries are one of the easiest fruits to grow organically, and they reward you generously. Whether you’re growing just a few for your breakfast bowl or hoping for enough to freeze, jam, or share, these tips will help you grow your own strawberry success—naturally and joyfully. 

• You can download a free checklist below to help you 

Got a tip of your own? Or a variety you absolutely love? Let me know in the comments or tag me over on Instagram [@theorganicyarden] with your Yarden strawberry moments!