Growing strawberries from seed is a rewarding experience for home gardeners. While starting strawberries from seeds requires more time and patience compared to planting runners or transplants, it offers unique advantages. You can choose from a broader range of strawberry varieties, and you’ll have the satisfaction of nurturing plants from start to finish. This article covers everything you need to know about growing strawberries from seed, from selecting the right variety to caring for your plants until harvest.

Why Grow Strawberries from Seed?

Although many gardeners prefer to grow strawberries from runners or nursery plants, starting from seed offers distinct benefits:

  1. Variety Selection: Growing from seed allows you to explore unique or heirloom strawberry varieties that are not typically available as transplants. You can experiment with flavors, colors, and sizes.
  2. Cost-Effectiveness: Seeds are more affordable than buying established plants, especially if you plan to grow a large number of strawberries.
  3. Disease Resistance: By growing your own plants from seed, you reduce the risk of introducing diseases into your garden, which can sometimes happen with purchased transplants.
  4. Satisfaction and Control: Watching your strawberry plants grow from tiny seeds into fruit-bearing plants is a gratifying process that lets you control every stage of growth.

Choosing the Right Strawberry Varieties

Before starting, it’s important to choose the right strawberry variety for your needs and growing conditions. There are three main types of strawberries:

  1. June-bearing: These strawberries produce one large crop in late spring or early summer. They are known for their large fruit size and are often the best choice for preserving or making jams.
  2. Everbearing: Everbearing varieties produce two or three smaller crops throughout the growing season—one in early summer, one in late summer, and sometimes a smaller harvest in fall.
  3. Day-neutral: These varieties produce fruit continuously throughout the growing season, provided temperatures remain between 35°F and 85°F (1.7°C and 29.4°C). Day-neutral strawberries are often smaller but can provide a steady harvest over a long period.

When selecting seeds, check if they are suited for your climate and the specific growing conditions in your garden.

Getting Started: Preparing Strawberry Seeds

Growing strawberries from seed takes a bit more preparation than other plants. Here’s how to get started:

  1. Seed Stratification: Strawberry seeds require cold stratification, a process that mimics the natural conditions they would experience in winter. This process helps break the seeds’ dormancy and improves germination rates.

    • To stratify seeds, place them in a damp paper towel and seal it in a plastic bag. Store the bag in the refrigerator for 2-4 weeks. This cold treatment is crucial for many strawberry varieties.

  2. Soil and Seed Tray Preparation: Use a seed-starting mix that is light, well-draining, and fine-textured. Fill seed trays or small pots with the mix, leaving room for the seeds.

  3. Sowing the Seeds: Strawberry seeds are very small, so handle them carefully. Sprinkle them lightly on the surface of the soil. Do not bury the seeds deeply; they need light to germinate. Press the seeds gently into the soil using your fingertips.

  4. Watering and Humidity: Mist the soil lightly with water using a spray bottle. Cover the seed tray with a clear plastic lid or plastic wrap to maintain humidity, which is essential for germination.

  5. Light and Temperature: Place the seed tray in a warm, well-lit area. Strawberry seeds require consistent temperatures of around 65°F to 75°F (18°C to 24°C) for optimal germination. If you’re starting seeds indoors during winter or early spring, consider using a seed-starting heat mat and grow lights to provide adequate warmth and light.

  6. Germination Time: Strawberry seeds take time to germinate—typically between 2 and 4 weeks. Some varieties may take longer, so be patient. During this period, keep the soil consistently moist (but not waterlogged) and ensure the seedlings receive plenty of light.

Caring for Strawberry Seedlings

Once the seeds germinate and tiny seedlings emerge, it’s time to focus on nurturing your young plants:

  1. Thinning and Transplanting: When the seedlings develop their first true leaves (the second set of leaves), thin them out if they are overcrowded. Keep the strongest seedlings and gently transplant them into individual pots or larger containers, being careful not to damage their delicate roots.

  2. Feeding: Once the seedlings are established, begin feeding them with a diluted, balanced liquid fertilizer. Young strawberry plants benefit from nutrients that support both root development and foliage growth.

  3. Hardening Off: Before transplanting your strawberry plants outdoors, they need to be acclimated to outdoor conditions. This process, called hardening off, involves gradually introducing the seedlings to the elements. Start by placing them outside in a sheltered spot for a few hours each day, gradually increasing the time and exposure to sunlight over a week or two.

Transplanting Strawberries into the Garden

Strawberries thrive in well-drained soil and sunny locations. Here’s how to prepare your garden and transplant your seedlings:

  1. Soil Preparation: Strawberries prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. Incorporate plenty of organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure, into the soil before planting to improve fertility and drainage.

  2. Plant Spacing: Space strawberry plants 12-18 inches apart, with rows spaced about 18-24 inches apart. Proper spacing ensures good air circulation, reducing the risk of fungal diseases.

  3. Planting Depth: When planting, ensure the crown (the point where the roots meet the leaves) is at soil level. Planting too deeply can cause the crown to rot, while planting too shallowly can lead to poor root development.

  4. Mulching: Mulch around the plants with straw, pine needles, or shredded leaves to keep the soil moist, suppress weeds, and protect the developing fruit from contact with the soil.

  5. Watering: Strawberries have shallow root systems and need consistent moisture, especially during flowering and fruiting. Water at the base of the plants, avoiding overhead watering, which can encourage fungal diseases.

Caring for Mature Strawberry Plants

Once your strawberry plants are established, they will require regular care to thrive:

  1. Fertilizing: Feed your strawberry plants with a balanced fertilizer after they begin to flower. Avoid over-fertilizing, as too much nitrogen can lead to excessive leaf growth at the expense of fruit production.

  2. Pest and Disease Control: Common pests include slugs, snails, and aphids. Use organic pest control methods, such as hand-picking pests or applying neem oil. Fungal diseases like gray mold and powdery mildew can be minimized by ensuring good air circulation and avoiding wet foliage.

  3. Pruning and Maintenance: Remove any dead or yellowing leaves, and trim back runners (long stems that produce baby plants) if you want to focus on fruit production rather than propagation.

Harvesting Your Strawberries

Strawberries grown from seed typically begin producing fruit in their second growing season. However, some day-neutral or everbearing varieties may give you a small harvest in the first year. Here’s how to know when to pick them:

  1. Check the Color: Harvest strawberries when they are fully red (or the mature color for your variety) and have no white or green spots. The deeper the color, the sweeter the berry.

  2. Pick Early in the Day: Harvest strawberries in the morning when they are cool and firm. Avoid picking during the hottest part of the day, as berries can be softer and more prone to bruising.

  3. Frequent Harvesting: Check your plants daily for ripe fruit during the peak of the season. Regular harvesting encourages the plants to produce more fruit.

Overwintering Your Strawberry Plants

If you live in a region with cold winters, it’s important to protect your strawberry plants:

  1. Mulching: After the first frost, apply a thick layer of straw or mulch over your plants to insulate them during the winter. This protects the crowns from freezing temperatures and prevents frost heaving.

  2. Remove Mulch in Spring: Once the weather warms up in spring, remove the mulch gradually to allow the plants to grow.

Conclusion

Growing strawberries from seed may take more time and effort compared to using runners or transplants, but the rewards are well worth it. By starting from seed, you have control over the varieties you grow and can enjoy the satisfaction of nurturing plants from the very beginning. With proper care and patience, your strawberry plants will reward you with delicious, homegrown berries season after season.

Happy gardening, and enjoy the sweet taste of your homegrown strawberries!