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Strawberries are one of the most attractive fruits in the world of fruit. For their vibrant color, sweet flavor and health benefits, they are the favorite fruit of all. They can also turn any garden into a mini paradise. If you wish to grow strawberries in your home garden, this article can greatly help you. Today, in this article, I will show you how to grow strawberries indoors. You can grow strawberries in pots, hanging baskets or garden beds in your home garden. However, read the article attentively and follow my instructions to grow strawberries indoors.

Secrets to Growing Lush and Sweet Strawberries at Home

Choosing Your Strawberry Plant

Types of Strawberries to Grow

To grow strawberries indoors, first, you have to choose the right variety of strawberries. There are three main varieties of strawberries. They are-----

June-bearing varieties produce one large crop in early summer.
Everbearing varieties yield two smaller crops in early summer and fall.
Day-neutral varieties continuously produce small harvests throughout the season.

Selecting the Right Variety for Your Climate

June-bearing varieties are the best for cold countries. On the other hand, day-neutral or everbearing varieties grow in mild-climate countries. You can take advice from the owner of the nursery which varieties are suitable for your home garden.

Preparing the Planting Area

Finding the Perfect Spot

Strawberries need lots of sunlight at least 6-8 hours a day. So, choose a sunny spot in your garden or use containers so that you can take them to a sunny place if needed. They also grow well in well-draining soil.

Soil Preparation for Optimal Growth

The soil of strawberries should be slightly acidic with a pH of around 5.5-6.5. For this purpose, mix compost or well-rotted manure into the soil to improve drainage and add essential nutrients. If you grow strawberries in pots, use high-quality potting soil for the best results.

Growing strawberries from seeds or Seedlings

How to grow strawberries from seeds

To grow strawberries from seeds, first collect high-quality hybrid seeds. Then bring the seeds home and dry them in the sun for one day. Once the seeds have cooled, soak them in water overnight and immediately prepare the pot for seed germination. Then follow the steps below to germinate the seeds well.

Mix 25% coco peat, 25% sand, 25% cow dung manure and 25% leaf rot manure to make seed germination soil.
Take a pot of 8 inches.
Place 1/2 piece of brick on the hole in the bottom of the pot.
Give a handful of stone or brick pieces in the pot.
Apply sand 1 inch thick on stone or brick pieces.
Then give the soil prepared for seed germination in the pots and press it by hand.
Keep a small amount of soil to cover the seeds and fill the pot with soil leaving the mouth of the pot one inch empty.
Soak the upper soil of the pot well by spraying water.
When the water is dry, spread the seeds on the wet soil.
Then lightly spread the soil that you have left on the seeds and cover the seeds well.
When the seeds are covered with soil, spray water lightly on the soil.
Then cover the pot with polythene and leave it in a shady place for six or seven days.
After six or seven days you will see that all your seeds have germinated.
Keep the pot in the sun little by little every day. After three or four days, leave the pot in full sun.
When the seedlings are one month old, transfer the seedlings to another pot.

How to grow strawberries from runners

It is very easy to grow strawberries from runners. To grow strawberries from runners, first, buy 2/3 strawberry plants from your nearest nursery. After bringing the strawberry plants from the nursery and planting them, many runners will come out from those plants when they are completely standing. Then where you will see the root part of these runners place it with the soil and fold the hard thin wire on top of it and press it well in the ground with the root part so that the roots go into the soil.

Now wait at least 15 days. After 15 days, you will see that new roots have emerged from those runners and plants have been grown. Now cut the runners from the mother plant and separate them. After 15 more days, transfer the new plants from the mother plant pot to another pot. In this way, you can grow 10/15 strawberry plants from one mother strawberry plant.

What to do after bringing strawberry plants from the nursery

If you don't want to grow strawberries from seeds, buy some seedlings from your nearest nursery. Never grow the strawberry plants immediately after collecting them from the nursery. Keep the plants in a shady place for at least three to four days. After three or four days, when the plants adjust to your home environment, grow them in pots. If the plants are grown immediately after being brought from the nursery, the plants may die.

Planting Strawberries

When to plant strawberries

Strawberry seedlings are planted from November to December for the winter season and from February to March for the summer season.

Read more:

How to Plant Strawberries

If strawberry plants are brought with soil from the nursery, keep them in a shady place at home for 4-5 days. Then grow one plant in each pot. And if you make strawberry plants at home or if you bring strawberry plants from the nursery without soil, you will grow 2 plants in each pot. Because plants without soil are more likely to die. So, you have to grow 2 seedlings in each pot.

After growing the plants, keep them in a shady place at home for 3-4 days. After 3-4 days, keep all the plants in full sun. When the plants are 15 days old, keep one healthy and vigorous plant in each pot and transfer the other plants to another pot. Now, follow the instructions below to plant strawberry seedlings in the open soil in the garden.

Spacing: Space each plant about 12-18 inches apart.
Depth: Plant them and cover the roots but the crown (the top of the root system) is just above the soil.
Watering: Water thoroughly after planting, and keep the soil consistently moist.

Mulching for Healthier Plants

Add a layer of mulch around your plants to keep the soil moist, prevent weeds and protect berries from soil contact. In this case, you can use straw or wood chips. They can work well and help regulate soil temperature.

Caring for Your Strawberry Plants

Watering and Fertilizing Tips

Strawberries need consistent moisture, especially when the fruit forms. So, water the seedlings every afternoon and apply a balanced fertilizer at the beginning of the season. When flowers start blooming, add high-potassium-rich fertilizer.

Pruning and Runners Management

Strawberry plants produce runners. If you want to grow more strawberry plants, propagate them by cutting the runners. If you don't want to propagate, prune the runners for a better yield.

Pest and Disease Prevention

Common Pests and How to Handle Them

Strawberries attract various pests like aphids, slugs and birds. Some organic ways to protect your plants are as follows:

Aphids: Use insecticidal soap or natural predators like ladybugs.
Slugs: Set up small barriers or sprinkle coffee grounds around plants.
Birds: Net the plants to prevent birds from stealing your ripe berries.

Diseases and Maintenance Tips

Common diseases include powdery mildew and gray mold are caused by overwatering or poor airflow. Give plants enough space and don’t get them too wet. Remove any diseased leaves to prevent the spread.

Harvesting Your Strawberries

When and How to Harvest for Best Flavor

Strawberries are ready to pick when they are fully red and slightly soft to the touch. Pick them in the morning when they are cool for the best flavor. Harvest frequently to increase fruit production.

Storing and Enjoying Your Fresh Strawberries

Freshly picked strawberries can last up to a week in the fridge. Wash them only at the time of eating. If you have extra strawberries, you can freeze them for smoothies or baking.

FAQ about growing Strawberries at Home

1. How long does it take to grow strawberries from seed?

It takes 6-8 weeks to grow strawberries from seed.

2. What is the best season to plant strawberries?

Spring is the best season to plant strawberries.

3. How much sunlight do strawberries need?

Strawberries need full sunlight to grow well. Actually, they need 6-8 hours of sunlight per day for better growth.

4. Can you grow strawberries in pots?

Yes, you can grow strawberries well in pots with good drainage and a lot of sunlight.

5. How can I protect my strawberries from pests?

Use netting or row covers to protect strawberries from birds and pests. In this case, you use mulching to deter insects.

In conclusion, strawberries are a tempting fruit for everyone. To grow strawberries at home is undoubtedly a pleasant task. If you can’t buy strawberries with money or do not get them in exchange for money, decide to plant them at home. According to the decision, buy 4/5 strawberry seedlings from the nearest nursery and start planting them by following the guide mentioned in this article. Within 40-45 days of planting strawberry seedlings, the delicious and attractive strawberry treasure will be hanging before you. When they are ripe, eat them yourself and give them as a gift to your relatives. You will keep receiving thanks like raindrops.

Are you ready to grow strawberries in your home garden? If so, collect your pots, soil, and a few strawberry plants and start your strawberry-growing journey, if anything is unknown, share it in the comments.

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