How to grow strawberries

There's something very rewarding about growing your own food, and one of the juiciest homegrown delights is strawberries.

PREPARING THE SOIL
Autumn and spring are great times to plant strawberries; the first job is to prepare the soil. Find a sunny position where the strawberries will get plenty of direct sunlight. Strawberries love a rich soil, so dig in plenty of organic fertiliser. 5 IN 1 Organic Fertiliser is just the ticket for healthy strawberry plants and a bountiful crop of juicy strawberries. To improve drainage, form the soil into raised mounds about 2 feet wide.  

If planting in pots and hanging baskets, Searles Fruit, Citrus & Rose Specialty Mix is ideal for pot life. 

MULCHING
The next important tip is to mulch the soil well. Use high quality mulch as this will help protect the soil from drying out, helps maintain a cooler root system and feeds for approximately 3 months, right through to fruiting time.

PLANTING & WATERING
When planting out, select healthy runners and plant each about 1 foot apart. Give them a good watering straight away. Strawberries will need watering about every 2-3 days, except when it rains. They don't like to dry out and they will not tolerate over wet conditions either. 

FERTILISING
To produce the much-loved juicy strawberry, they need regular fertilising. Being a fruit, strawberries respond extremely well to a high potassium fertiliser, such as Searles Liquid Potash. Fertilise every 2 weeks with the Liquid Potash up until fruit set.

So remember, for sweet & juicy strawberries

• Improve soil with 5 IN 1 Organic Fertiliser or Searles Fruit, Citrus & Rose Specialty Mix for pots/baskets. 
• Mulch after planting
• Water regularly & fertilise every 2 weeks with Searles Liquid Potash

If you do this, in 10-12 weeks you'll be munching on some deliciously juicy strawberries.