High-Quality Strawberry Seeds

Garden strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is the classic homegrown berry, loved for its glossy, bright-red heart-shaped fruit and that unmistakable sweet-tart flavour with a rich, perfumed aroma. Picked fully ripe straight from your own plants, the berries are far juicier and more fragrant than anything from a shelf. Use them fresh in bowls, blended into juices and smoothies, spooned over desserts, or simmered into jam. The neat, leafy plants also make a pretty edging or container display, so this variety is as decorative as it is delicious.

Planting

Sow seed in spring or autumn into trays of seed compost. Scatter the seed thinly across a moist mix and only lightly cover with sharp sand, pressing it onto the surface rather than burying it. Seedlings emerge in about 2-3 weeks when soil stays between 16 C and 24 C. In Egypt, start seed indoors in late summer so transplants are ready for the September to mid-October field window. Set transplants 35-40 cm apart in rows about 75 cm apart, with the middle of the crown level with the soil and roots fully buried.

Fertilizing

Work phosphorus, potassium and part of the nitrogen into the soil at or before planting, then feed nitrogen again during runner production. In containers, give a fortnightly general-purpose liquid feed and switch to a high-potassium feed once the first flower buds form. After harvest, a balanced renovation feed helps plants rebuild for the next season.

Care

Grow in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct light daily; 10 hours or more gives the sweetest, heaviest crops. Provide about 25 mm of water per week, keeping the crown and fruit dry to avoid fungal disease. Manage runners so plants do not overcrowd. Watch for slugs, spider mites and grey mould, and avoid beds where tomatoes or potatoes grew. Pick berries when bright red all over, harvesting on a warm, dry day for the best flavour.