Spanish Strawberry Seeds 100 Seeds

Spanish Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is a much-loved garden strawberry, famous for its glossy, heart-shaped berries that ripen to a deep, even red. The flesh is juicy and aromatic with a balanced sweet-tart taste that shines fresh from the plant, in jams and desserts, or layered into a fruit salad. Compact and productive, it also makes an attractive edging plant in beds and containers.

Planting

To raise plants from seed, sow in spring or autumn into trays of seed compost. Scatter the seed thinly and only lightly cover with sharp sand, pressing it into a moist mix rather than burying it. Germination takes about two to three weeks at a soil temperature of 16-24 C. In Egypt, start seed indoors in late summer so transplants are ready for the September to mid-October field window. Set transplants with the middle of the crown level with the soil, roots fully buried but the growing point uncovered. Space plants 35-40 cm apart in rows about 75 cm apart, in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct light.

Fertilizing

Apply phosphorus, potassium and part of the nitrogen at or before planting, then feed nitrogen again in August during runner production. For container plants, give a fortnightly general-purpose liquid feed, switching to a high-potassium feed once the first flower buds appear. After harvest, a renovation feed supports next season's growth.

Care

Provide about 25 mm of water per week, keeping the crown and fruit dry to avoid fungal disease. Manage runners to suit your system, removing excess daughter plants so they do not overcrowd. Watch for slugs, snails, spider mites and thrips, and avoid ground where tomatoes, peppers or potatoes grew. Pick berries when bright red all over, harvesting during the warmest, driest part of the day.