How to Grow Strawberries From Seed

 

Without been told growing strawberry plant from seed is actually a rewarding gardening project that allows you to raise healthy strawberry plants from the very beginning. Even though strawberry plants are often grown from runners or the strawberry young plants, starting the strawberry plants from seed is really less expensive and it also gives you access to many unique strawberry plants varieties. With endurance and also proper care, you can easily grow tasty strawberries right at home in pots, raised beds, and even on garden soil.

Why Grow Strawberry Plants From Seed?

A lot of gardeners choose the strawberry plants seeds because the strawberry plants seeds offer more variety and flexibility. The strawberry plants seeds are very easy to store, they are inexpensive, and also available in many types, including the everbearing strawberries, the alpine strawberries, and the June-bearing varieties.

Growing strawberry plants from seed also allows you to:

·  Produce a lot of strawberry plants at low cost

·  Try rare or the heirloom strawberry plant varieties

·  Avoid a lot of diseases that may come with older strawberry plants

·  Enjoy the full growing process from the strawberry plant seed to harvest

On the other hand, strawberry plants take longer to mature from seed than from runners, so endurance is very vital.

The Best Strawberry Plant Varieties for Seeds

There are some strawberry plant varieties that grow better from seed than others. The good options are:

·  The Alpine strawberries varieties

·  The Everbearing strawberries varieties

·  The Seascape strawberries varieties

·  The Alexandria strawberries varieties

·  The Temptation strawberries varieties

Furthermore, the Alpine strawberry plants are especially popular because they easily germinate and they also produce sweet fruits continuously throughout their growing season.

Also read: How to Grow Artichokes From Seed

When to Start The Strawberry Plant Seeds

The Strawberry plant seeds need to be started indoors about eight to twelve weeks before the last frost date in your area. Since the strawberry plants need a long growing season, early indoor planting gives the strawberry plant seedlings sufficient time to develop before transplanting outdoors.

Furthermore, in warm climates the strawberry plant seeds can at times be started during cooler months for winter or spring planting.

Materials You Will Need To Get Started

Before planting the strawberries you will need to gather the following materials:

·  The Strawberry plant seeds

·  A seed trays or small containers

·  A seed-starting mix

·  A good spray bottle

·  A good plastic wrap or humidity dome

·  A grow lights or a good sunny window location

·  A labels for the strawberry varieties

Actually using a light and a good well-draining seed-starting mix is very vital because a heavy garden soil may prevent the strawberry seed germination.

Cold Stratification of Strawberry Plant Seeds

The Strawberry plant seeds really germinate better after been exposure to cold temperatures. This process is actually called stratification and it helps to break the strawberry plant seed dormancy.

How to Stratify Strawberry Plant Seeds

1.    Place the strawberry plant seeds in a sealed plastic bag.

2.    Then put the bag in the refrigerator for about two to four weeks.

3.    Remove the strawberry plant seeds and then allow the seeds to warm to room temperature before planting them.

There are some gardeners that actually skip this step; nevertheless stratification usually improves seed germination rates significantly.

How to Grow Strawberry Plant Seeds

Preparing the Containers For Planting

Just fill the seed trays or small containers with a moist seed-starting mix. Make sure the soil is damp but not soaked.

Sow the Strawberry Plant Seeds

You need to sprinkle the strawberry seeds lightly on the soil surface. Make sure you don’t bury the strawberry seed deeply because the seeds actually need light to germinate. You need to gently press the strawberry seeds into the soil.

Provide Humidity Around The Strawberry

Make sure you cover the tray with plastic wrap or a humidity dome in other to keep moisture levels stable.

Keep the Location Warm and Bright

Make sure you place the containers in a warm location with temperatures that is between sixty-five degree Fahrenheit and seventy-five degree Fahrenheit. Make sure you provide bright light using grow lights or a sunny window.

Seeds Germination Time

The strawberry plant seeds can take anywhere from one to six weeks to germinate. Some strawberry plant varieties germinate faster than others, so don’t actually panic if the growth seems to be slow.

Make sure you keep the soil consistently moist during this period by misting gently with water.

Caring for The Strawberry Plant Seedlings

Once the strawberry plant seedlings emerge you can remove the plastic cover and then continue providing bright light.

Light Requirements For Strawberry Plant

The strawberry plant seedlings need at least twelve to fourteen hours of light daily. If natural sunlight is limited you can easily use grow lights.

Water Requirement

Make sure you keep the soil lightly moist but avoid overwatering. Soggy soil can actually lead to fungal diseases on the strawberry like damping-off.

Provide Air Circulation

A good airflow can really help to strengthen the strawberry plant seedlings and also reduces disease problems. Actually a small fan on low speed can really help to improve ventilation indoors.

Thinning The Strawberry Seedlings

When the strawberry plant seedlings develop their first true leaves you can carefully thin them so only the healthiest plants remain. The crowded strawberry plant seedlings actually compete for nutrients and light.

If multiple strawberry plant seedlings grow in one pot you can cautiously snip the weaker ones at the soil surface rather than pulling them out.

Transplanting Strawberry Plant Seedlings

When the strawberry plant seedlings are about two to three inches tall and the outdoor temperatures are suitable, the strawberry plant seedlings can be transplanted.

Harden Off the Strawberry Plant Seedlings

Before moving the strawberry plants outdoors permanently, harden them off over seven to ten days by gradually exposing the strawberry plants to outdoor conditions.

You can actually start with a few hours of shade each day and then slowly increase the sunlight exposure.

Choosing the Right Location For Strawberry

Strawberry plants actually grow best in:

·  A full sunlight location

·  A good well-draining soil

·  A slightly acidic soil with pH 5.5 to 6.8

Make sure you avoid areas where peppers, tomatoes, or potatoes were recently grown because these plants can easily share diseases with strawberry plants.

Growing Strawberry Plants Outdoors

Space the strawberry plants about twelve to eighteen inches apart in rows. Make sure the crown of the strawberry plant sits at soil level. Planting the strawberry too deep can easily cause rot, while shallow planting can expose the plant roots.

Make sure you water thoroughly after planting.

Growing Strawberry Plants in Containers

The strawberry plants also grow very well in pots, hanging baskets, and grow bags.

Actually container gardening really offers a lot advantages:

·  Container gardening offer the better pest control

·  Container gardening ensure easy harvesting

·  Container gardening offer improved drainage

·  Container gardening is ideal for small spaces

Make sure you choose a container with drainage holes and also use a good quality potting mix.

Watering the Strawberry Plants

The strawberry plants require a regular watering, most especially during flowering and also fruit production.

You can aim to provide about one to 1.5 inches of water weekly. Make sure you water at the base of the strawberry plant rather than overhead in other to reduce fungal problems.

Mulching around the strawberry plants will help to retain soil moisture and also keep the fruits clean.

Fertilizing Strawberry Plant

You can feed the strawberry plants with a good balanced fertilizer during their active growth. Make sure you avoid excessive nitrogen because it can easily encourage leaf growth instead of fruit production.

Also, a good organic compost and well-rotted manure helps to improve the soil fertility naturally.

Also read: How to Grow Onions From Seed

The Common Problems When Growing Strawberry Plants From Seed

Poor Strawberry Seeds Germination

This may actually happen because of:

·  A lack of cold stratification

·  Insufficient light on the plant

·  Dry soil used for planting

·  Old strawberry seeds

Damping-Off Disease On Strawberry Plant

Overwatering and poor airflow on the strawberry plant can cause the strawberry plant seedlings to collapse suddenly.

To avoid this:

·  You can use sterile seed-starting mix

·  Make sure you avoid excessive moisture

·  You need to provide good ventilation

Pests On Strawberry Plant

The common strawberry plant pests are:

·  Slugs

·  Spider mites

·  Birds

·  Aphids

Netting can really protect the ripening berries from bird damage.

How To Harvest Strawberries

You can easily harvest the strawberries when they are fully red and ripe. All you need to do is to pick the berries gently with the stem attached to avoid damaging the fruit.

The fresh strawberries actually taste best when they are really harvested early in the morning.