Choose a Container: You don't need to invest in fancy containers right away. Strawberries can be grown in 2-liter plastic bottles, wooden crates, or repurposed buckets. Ensure the container has a soil depth of at least 12-14 inches to allow the root systems to flourish. Space the plants 10-12 inches apart to allow for horizontal spreading.

Get 'Runners' of the Right Variety: Strawberry plants are propagated by purchasing 'runners' from nurseries. There are 'June-bearing' variants that fruit in spring or early summer, and 'Ever-bearing' versions that yield from early summer to early fall. Select varieties suitable for your climate.

Prepare Strawberry Friendly Soil: Strawberries thrive in loamy, well-draining soil. Enhance the soil with organic matter like compost, shredded bark, or peat moss, along with sand or grit. Ensure the soil is free of weed roots and has drainage holes. If using hanging baskets, line them with sphagnum moss to retain moisture.

Start Planting: Place plants in the soil with their crowns slightly above the surface, spaced 10-12 inches apart. Firmly press the plants in place and moisten the soil around the roots. Mulch with dry leaves after planting to conserve moisture and feed beneficial soil bacteria. Expect runners to appear, which is normal.

Maintenance Tips: Feed with homemade fertilizers like leftover coffee grinds weekly and water regularly to promote flowering. Avoid overwatering shallow roots, especially in hot weather. Monitor for green strawberries, indicating fruit set. Care for plants during summer, as strawberries typically bloom and fruit from fall to winter.

Harvesting: Pick ripe strawberries when they are bright red all over, ideally during the hottest part of the day for optimal sweetness. Consume them fresh or turn them into preserves. After fruiting, trim foliage, leaving only new leaves intact. Remove runners to ensure plants bulk up again.

Now enjoy your homegrown strawberries with friends and family or savor them yourself!

(Note: This article has been collected from Krishi Jagran Agripedia and shared for readers' interest. All rights reserved with Krishi Jagran Agripedia for this article.)