Greenhouse Growing: Strawberries
Growing strawberry plants from seed can be a rewarding way to add these delicious and nutritious fruits to your garden, and very cost-effective compared to the price of them in the supermarkets these days - so why not grow your own right in the garden or greenhouse?
Popular Homegrown Strawberry Varieties
There are many different varieties of strawberry plants that can be grown from seed, each with its own unique characteristics and flavour. Here are some of the most popular UK strawberry plant varieties that can be grown from seed:
Toscana
Producing perfectly compact plants to not take up too much room in the greenhouse, toscana strawberry seeds produce cone-shaped fruit that are large and delicious. The perfect strawberry for easting as they are, in cakes or any other desert.
Temptation
A traditional variety that can be grown in a container in the greenhouse, or in the garden straight in the ground. They produce a steady supply of medium-sized fruits throughout the season, and as the name suggests are too tempting to not eat as soon as you pick one!
Delican
A Japanese-style strawberry that's delicious for any use. The plants usually offer a good harvest for plenty of strawberries and are container friendly for growing in the greenhouse.
When choosing a variety of strawberry plant to grow from seed, consider the space you have available in your greenhouse or garden. Some varieties may be better suited to certain climates or growing conditions than others.
Step-by-Step Guide to Optimal Strawberry Growing
Here's our short and sweet guide on the best way to grow strawberry plants from seed with the use of a greenhouse:
- Start by purchasing high-quality strawberry seeds from a reputable supplier. Look for seeds that are disease-resistant and well-adapted to your local climate.
- Fill a seed tray or pots with a sterile, well-draining seed compost or soil mix. Water the soil well and then scatter the seeds on top, taking care not to plant them too deep. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of compost or vermiculite.
- Place the seed tray or pots in a propagator or cover them with a plastic sheet or cling film to create a humid environment. Place the tray or pots in a sunny location or under a grow light in your greenhouse.
- Keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged, by watering regularly. You can also mist the soil with water to keep it evenly moist.
- Once the seedlings have emerged, thin them out by removing any weak or spindly seedlings. Leave the strongest seedlings to grow on.
- As the seedlings grow, transplant them into pots or containers with fresh compost. When the seedlings are large enough, transplant them into the ground in your greenhouse or into a strawberry planter.
- Strawberries need plenty of sunlight to thrive, so make sure to position your plants in a sunny location in your greenhouse. Water regularly and fertilise every two weeks with a balanced liquid fertiliser.
- Protect your strawberry plants from pests and diseases by keeping the greenhouse clean and tidy, removing any damaged or diseased leaves, and using organic pest control methods if necessary.
- Once you see some nice size, red strawberries hanging from your plants it's time to pick them! Simply pull them off gently, rinse under the tap and enjoy any way you like!
By following these steps, you can successfully grow your own strawberry plants from seed in a greenhouse, and enjoy a bountiful harvest of fresh, juicy strawberries.
No comments.