When to plant Strawberry?

Strawberries thrive in full sun and need at least six hours of direct sunlight daily to produce a good crop. Choose a site with well-drained loam or sandy soil; heavy clay should be improved with plenty of organic matter and grit to prevent waterlogging, which encourages root rot. The ideal soil pH is slightly acidic, around 6.0–6.5. Plant bare-root runners or pot-grown plants from March through to May, once the risk of hard frost has passed. If you're planting bare-root stock, soak the roots in water for an hour before planting. Dig a hole wide enough to spread the roots comfortably, and position the crown—the point where roots meet stems—exactly at soil level. Planting too deep causes the crown to rot; too shallow and the roots dry out. Space plants 30 cm apart in rows, with 60–75 cm between rows to allow for runners and easy picking. If you're growing in containers, use pots at least 30 cm wide with drainage holes, filled with multipurpose compost mixed with a little grit. Water thoroughly immediately after planting to settle the soil around the roots, then keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during the first few weeks while plants establish. Apply a 5 cm layer of straw or well-rotted compost around the plants (but not touching the crowns) to suppress weeds, retain moisture, and keep developing fruit clean. Remove any flowers that appear in the first six weeks after planting to encourage strong root development rather than premature fruiting.