How to grow strawberries indoors

  

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To grow strawberries indoors is not as difficult as you may think. Strawberries are well know for being very robust plants and certain varieties even prosper in harsh wilderness conditions. However, they are just as well suited to being grown indoors. This makes strawberries a great plant for beginners to the indoor gardening lifestyle (Or to growing in general).

Information to get started growing strawberries indoors in your home:

• Choosing & Planting the seeds- What you need to know about which seeds you should pick for the best crop.

With strawberries it is very important to choose the right variety for indoor growing.You must choose a variety that is robust and can deal with the naturally changing temperatures of a regular household.It is also a good idea to ensure that the seeds/plants you choose are of the ever-bearing variety. This ensures a good yield of fruit 3-4 times a year from a single plant. They can also deal with varying lengths of light during the day as the year progresses. Strawberries do not need deep soil as they grow lateral, so each plant will need to be about 6 inches apart. Choose a plant that does not need to be hand pollinated where possible (hermaphroditic). 

Note - The runnerless varieties are also helpful as they are more space efficient and will not try and grow into their neighbouring plant's pot!

• Light & Temperature - How to provide the correct environment for your plants to ensure growth.

Strawberries require a moderate temperature that is usually maintained within an average household at most times in the year, whether by heating systems in the winter or by the heat of the sun in the summer (This is around 18-20 degrees Celsius (65-68 degrees Fahrenheit). Most sunny windows will provide enough light for a strawberry plant. Low light levels, especially in the winter months can be supplemented with a strong artificial light.

• Watering - Watering techniques specifically for strawberries.

If you have chosen a hardy, robust variety of strawberry then you will not need to worry about over-watering your strawberry plants.Keep the soil moist enough to form a ball as opposed to crumbling through the fingers.

In the winter months, the plants will need less water as they start to rest as part of their natural cycle.

• Feeding & Nutrition - How to make sure that your plants get all the nutrients that they need in order to survive and produce juicy fruits!

Feed your strawberry plants with a Plant food containing 15-20 percent Nitrogen.You should feed your plants twice a week but reduce feeding over the winter months.

• Pollination - How to ensure that your plants are productive in their indoor environment.

You should ideally choose a seed/plant variety that does not need to be hand pollinated.However, should you need to hand pollinate for whatever reason; you can either shake the plant gently, or use a cotton bud to very gently wipe the flower (use the same one for all the blossom flowers).

• Harvesting - How to collect your fruit safely and how to maximise crop growth for the future.

Approximately 1 month after the blossom first appears and after pollination, etc; you should start to see fruit reaching maturity.

Berries should be kept on the plant until fully ripened. They should be picked by twisting the stem gently.

DO NOT REMOVE THE STEM BEFORE WASHING THE FRUIT!!! 

Many more vitamins and minerals are lost unless you remove the stem AFTER washing the fruit.

So there you go! You can now grow strawberries indoors whenever you like!

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