Strawberries love cool winters to initiate flowering and can be grown in most areas of Australia. There is nothing nicer than plucking a ripe strawberry straight from the garden. They are the ideal berry to grow for small garden areas, pots or hanging baskets and are guaranteed to produce.
Virus free varieties are the best option for the home gardener and planting early will ensure they produce lots of flowers early. Plant into free draining well improved soil in any container. Ensure the container is large enough to hold a few plants to improve fruit set and there is adequate soil around the roots so plants don’t dry out too quickly in summer.
Remove the majority of side runners as they form so the plant will put its energy into flower production rather than leaf growth. Fruit production will reduce after the second year so it’s recommended to replant with virus free plants regularly.
