How to Grow Strawberry Plants From Seed

Save several berries after every harvest for seed planting.

Mention berries to fruit lovers and their first thought will likely be strawberries. These ruby red fruits of summer are ideal for eating raw or for baking in pies and desserts. Planting strawberries from seed allows growers to harvest specific varieties of the berries, like pure heirloom berries. Growing your strawberries from seed will give you fresh crops without the effect of viruses from previous crops. Seed growing your plants allows you more control over your ultimate harvest.

Things You'll Need

• Strawberry seeds
• Freezer bag
• Capillary matting
• Shallow planting container
• Water bottle
• Hand shovel

Instructions

1. Pour your seeds into an airtight freezer bag. Freeze them for two to four weeks. This emulates the berries' wintertime exposure and triggers the germination process in the seeds. Allow the seeds to return to room temperature before planting them. This usually takes several hours.

2. Spread capillary matting in a flat container. Sprinkle the seeds on top without burying them. Water seeds daily by with a spray bottle. Mist the plants often. Never allow the soil to dry out during germination.

3. Transplant your seedlings when they are four to six weeks old into well-draining prepared soil. The strawberry prefers a slightly sandy soil, so amend the soil of the planting area as necessary. After tilling the area, remove grass clumps that might compete with the strawberries for nutrients and water.

4. Dig small holes in the soil, deep enough to cover the plant except the green tips. Plant seedlings 18 inches apart. Use your fingers to spread the roots vertically in the hole. Backfill the hole, packing the soil firmly.

5. Water your plant immediately after planting, then water strawberries at least twice a week. If your garden receives an inch of rainfall, then skip the watering that week.

6. Remove any weeds immediately. Use a small hand shovel to pull up growing weeds.

References

• Organic Seed: Strawberry Seeds Growing Information
• Fraises des Bois: How to Grow Alpine Strawberries
• Backyard Gardener: Plant Strawberries This Fall