Who doesn't love the sweet taste of freshly picked strawberries?
Imagine popping into your greenhouse and plucking a few ripe berries to enjoy on the spot.
Growing strawberries in a greenhouse is surprisingly easy and rewarding, making it a perfect project for both seasoned gardeners and beginners.
With just a little guidance and the proper care, you can harvest these delightful fruits all year round.
Ready to turn your greenhouse into a strawberry paradise? Follow these simple steps to learn how to grow strawberry plants in a thriving greenhouse and a fruit bowl overflowing with homegrown delights.
Quick Overview of Growing Strawberries in a Greenhouse
- Type: Perennial fruit crop
- Time from planting to harvest: 60-90 days (30-45 days after flowering)
- Ideal germination temp: 65-70°F
- First emergence: 2-3 weeks after planting seeds
- Optimal growing temp: 60-80°F (65-77°F in greenhouses)
- Plant size: 12-16 in height; spread 12-18 in (runners increases spread)
- Planting guide: Cool seeds before germinating; plant ¼-½ in deep, spaced 18 in apart with 30 in rows; thin to 8-12 in apart.
- Companions: Asparagus, beans, spinach, garlic, and peas.
- Avoid planting near: Brassicas, nightshades, melons, and roses.
How to Grow Strawberries in Your Greenhouse
Strawberries are a delicious fruit with a typically short growing season, but your greenhouse can change that. You can enjoy these sweet, succulent fruits with proper planning and care throughout the year. Here’s how to get started with growing strawberries in your greenhouse:
Select Your Strawberry Type
Choosing the right variety is crucial for your greenhouse strawberry project. Here’s a breakdown of the popular types:
- June-bearing strawberries: These plants produce a large, concentrated crop once a year, over two to three weeks. They are categorized into early, mid, and late season, each with their own fruiting timeline.
- Everbearing strawberries: These varieties produce two main harvests – one in early summer and another in early fall, offering a more spread-out yield.
- Day-neutral strawberries: True to their name, these plants can produce fruits consistently if the temperature remains between 35°F and 85°F, making them ideal for year-round cultivation in a greenhouse environment.
Plant Your Strawberries
Whether you’re planting in the ground, in raised beds, or in pots, here are some steps to follow:
- Soil and Preparation: Use well-draining, loamy soil enriched with organic compost to provide a nutrient-rich base. Maintain a pH between 5.5 and 7.0.
- Spacing: Plant your strawberry seeds about 18 inches apart, allowing 30 inches between rows. This spacing helps to minimize disease and ensures each plant gets enough sunlight.
- Depth: Ensure the crown of the plant is just above the soil surface to prevent rotting.
For those wondering when to plant strawberries in greenhouse, late winter or early spring is an excellent time to start, but day-neutral varieties allow flexibility year-round.
Maintain Optimal Growing Conditions
To maximize your strawberry yield, pay attention to these crucial factors:
- Watering: Strawberries need moist but not waterlogged conditions. To minimize evaporation, aim for about 1.5 inches of water per week, preferably in the morning.
- Lighting: Ensure your plants receive at least six hours of sunlight daily (some require up to 12). If natural light is insufficient, use grow lights, especially during shorter winter days.
Temperature: Use a heater to keep your greenhouse between 65°F and 77°F to encourage flowering and fruit development. Lowering the temperature after harvest helps plants enter a rest phase, crucial for the next season's growth.
Rain Gutter Method for Vertical Growing
Take your greenhouse to the next level by using rain gutters for vertical planting. Mount gutters along the walls, filling them with soil to grow strawberry plants in greenhouse.
Ensure proper drainage to prevent waterlogging. This space-saving method is perfect for small greenhouses.
Harvest Your Greenhouse Strawberries
Depending on the variety, strawberries will be ready to harvest about 30-45 days after flowering (60-90 days from seed). Harvest them every other day during the peak season to ensure optimal flavor and reduce rot.
Managing Pests and Diseases
Strawberries in greenhouses can still face pest and disease challenges. Here’s how to manage them:
- Pest Control: Regularly clean your greenhouse and remove plant debris to eliminate potential breeding grounds for pests. This includes fallen leaves and excess mulch that can harbor insects.
- Disease Prevention: Avoid overhead watering to reduce leaf wetness, which can lead to fungal diseases. Use organic fungicides and ensure good air circulation to keep diseases at bay.
- Organic Pest Control Strategies: To maintain a sustainable approach, incorporate companion plants like marigolds to repel pests. This method keeps your strawberries chemical-free and enhances their growth.
- Transitioning Outdoor Plants: If you have outdoor plants, relocate them to the greenhouse during late fall. Trim foliage, check for pests, and replant in fresh soil. This process extends productivity and revitalizes dormant plants.
Bonus Tips for Growing Strawberries in a Greenhouse
- Successive Planting: Consider staggering plantings every few weeks to extend your harvesting period.
- Renew Plants: Replace strawberry plants every three years to maintain health and productivity.
- Avoid Certain Neighbors: Steer clear of planting strawberries near brassicas, nightshades, okra, and melons to avoid growth issues.
- Companion Planting: To enhance strawberry health, plant alongside asparagus, beans, peas, rhubarb, spinach, or garlic.
- Prune Runners: Regularly trim runners to concentrate the plant's energy on producing larger, more abundant strawberries.
- Manual Pollination: To ensure fruit development, lightly brush the flowers or enhance greenhouse airflow to aid pollination.
Images from Planta Greenhouses’ customers.
Bring Your Strawberry Greenhouse to Life
Creating a vibrant strawberry patch in your greenhouse is both rewarding and delicious. By following these steps and incorporating advanced techniques like the rain gutter method and organic pest control, you can grow strawberries in greenhouse conditions all year long.
Ready to get started? Dive into our detailed guides or check out our premium greenhouse kits to find your perfect match.
Here’s to cultivating a vibrant and fruitful strawberry haven in your backyard!
FAQs
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How often should I water my strawberries in a greenhouse?
Strawberries require about 1.5 inches of water per week. It’s best to water in the morning to reduce evaporation and to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. -
Can I grow strawberries in my greenhouse year-round?
Yes! Day-neutral strawberries are ideal for year-round growth in a greenhouse, as long as the temperature stays between 35°F and 85°F. -
What is the best way to control pests in my greenhouse strawberry garden?
Regular cleaning, removing plant debris, and using organic pest control methods like marigolds or natural insecticides will help prevent pests without harming your strawberries.
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