Strawberries grow just about anywhere, the garden bed, old containers or even in a cut-off bit of drainpipe. As long as they can see the sun and the garden or pot is well drained, the results can be great.

Soil preparation is important. Strawberries prefer a soil pH of 5.8 to 6.2 which is slightly acid, so lime shouldn’t be necessary. The strawberry bed can be enriched by digging in potash and composted vegetable matter to provide a boost of food for the plants as they grow and fowl manure to reduce the pH.

If the strawberries are to go into a pot, use a top quality potting mix and, for an extra boost of goodness, apply a liquid fertiliser to the mix.

Each bundle of Awapuni Nurseries’ Traditional Value strawberry seedlings contains about four plants which should produce 60-100 strawberries by Christmas.

The seedlings may have last season’s leaves on them which will die off. When the plant is ready, it will shoot out new, healthy, strong leaves from the centre of the plant.

Before planting, raise the garden bed by mounding the soil which will encourage circulation, drainage and can add depth to shallow soil.

Plant the seedlings around the edges of the garden or pots to encourage the strawberries to hang over the sides and prevent the fruit from touching the ground and rotting.

Strawberries should be planted in rows that are 60cm wide and 100cm apart.

Dig a 10cm deep hole and place the seedling inside.

A deep hole is required to give the roots plenty of room to spread out and grow. But be careful not to bury the plant. Pack the soil firmly around each seedling.

When the weather starts to warm up, it’s a good idea to surround the seedlings with pea straw or newspaper to help keep away weeds and retain water. The more moisture they get the juicier the fruit will be.

Place netting or wire over the plants when they begin to produce fruit. This will block out birds and ensure a full harvest.

In spring, add another dose of general fertiliser to encourage sturdier plants that are more disease resistant heading into the warmer months. Then sit back and wait until Christmas to enjoy the sweet sensation of winter’s hard work.

Awapuni Nurseries’ Traditional Value strawberry seedlings are available from some local supermarkets, Warehouse or Bunnings stores. Alternatively log on to www.awapuni.co.nz and have the seedlings delivered.

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