There’s nothing quite like picking a warm, sun-ripened strawberry straight from the plant. Whether you’ve got a garden, an allotment, or just a few pots on a balcony, strawberries are one of the most rewarding fruits to grow in the UK. With a little care and sunshine, you can enjoy fresh, juicy berries from late spring through summer — and maybe even into autumn with the right variety.
Types of Strawberries to Try:
There are three main types of strawberries, each with their own growing style and harvest time:
June-bearing: These produce one large crop in early summer — perfect if you want a big harvest all at once. Try ‘Cambridge Favourite’ or ‘Hapil’.
Everbearing (or perpetual): These give smaller harvests but fruit from late spring into early autumn. Great for snacking. Try ‘Mara des Bois’ or ‘Flamenco’.
Alpine strawberries: These are compact, wild-style plants that produce tiny, fragrant berries over a long period. Ideal for edging beds or pots.
When to Plant Strawberries:
Bare-root plants: Best planted in autumn or early spring (March to April) while the soil is still cool and moist.
Potted plants: Can be planted any time spring through summer, but avoid very hot days.
Make sure to space them well — around 30cm apart, with good airflow to prevent mildew.
Growing Tips:
Flowers: Strawberries bloom with pretty white flowers, usually in spring. These are not only the start of fruit production, but also a great early food source for insects.
Position: Full sun gives the best flavour and yield.
Soil: Rich, fertile and well-drained. If growing in pots, use quality compost mixed with a bit of grit for drainage.
Watering: Keep soil consistently moist, especially when fruit is forming. Avoid overhead watering to reduce the risk of disease.
Feeding: Use a high-potash feed (like tomato food) every 2–3 weeks once flowers appear.
Mulching: Straw or coir mulch under the plants keeps fruit clean and reduces rot.
Pests: Slugs love strawberries just as much as we do — especially the ripe, juicy ones. Use slug collars, crushed eggshells or plant in containers to make life harder for them. Birds are another fan, so consider netting your patch if you want to enjoy the harvest yourself.
Is Strawberries Good for Pollinators?
Yes — strawberry flowers are loved by bees and hoverflies, especially early in the season. Their simple, open blooms make it easy for pollinators to reach the nectar and help with fruit production at the same time.
Companion Ideas:
Plant alongside borage (great for pollinators), garlic (to deter pests), or lettuce (which enjoys the same growing conditions). For visual impact, strawberries also look lovely trailing from hanging baskets.
