Strawberries

Strawberries are a great hardy plant that can keep giving year after year. They can be grown in a range of containers from up cycled bath tub gardens to hanging baskets or vertical gardens.

There are also not many people that can resist a strawberry - especially after they have been part of growing them!

Strawberries are available as bare-root runners, that are best planted in the spring or as young plug and potted plants.
You can plant strawberries at any time of the year, as long as the soil is workable and not waterlogged or frozen. However, mid-spring or early autumn are the ideal times to plant strawberries for an effective and bountiful harvest.
When left to their own devices, strawberries may become very invasive, which is why many gardeners prefer to grow them in containers. Strawberries grow well in most containers and hanging baskets, as long as drainage holes are present.
When planting strawberries, try a sunny location as they fruit well in full sun. They will tolerate part-shade, although fruit yields may be smaller.
Strawberries like fertile but well-drained soil. If you are planting them directly in the ground or a raised bed, it’s worth incorporating some manure or general fertiliser into the soil before planting.
Space the plants 30-45cm (12-18in) apart, in rows 60-90cm (24-36in) apart
At the end of the season (or after two if you are lucky) the runners will start to regrow and embed themselves in the soil.
You made need to protect the plants over the winter with fleece or straw.