1. Pick a pot

If your horizontal space is limited, consider growing strawberries in a hanging basket or a stacked planter to allow the plant to take advantage of vertical growing space.

Make sure to choose a sunny spot outside your home that does not get too much wind.

2. Get the right variety of plant

There are two main kinds of strawberries available — ‘June-bearing’ plants that will bear fruit in spring or early summer, and ‘ever-bearing’ that can be harvested from early summer right up until early autumn.

Consult your local nursery to understand which variety grows best in your area’s climate conditions.

3. Choose the right soil

Happy soil, happy berries. Strawberries thrive in well-draining, rich, loamy soil. Add plenty of organic matter (such as compost, shredded bark or peat moss) as well as some sand or grit. Make sure that the soil is free of weed roots.

4. Plant it right

Place the plants into the soil, making sure that each crown, where the leaves emerge, rests just above the surface and is spaced 10-12 inches apart. Add mulch with dry leaves to reduce the loss of water due to evaporation. It also provides food for beneficial soil microbes.

5. Take care of them

To promote flowering, nourish the plants with all-natural homemade fertilisers (a weekly handful of leftover filter coffee grounds can work wonders!) and ensure regular watering.

Place some straw beneath the fruits to maintain cleanliness and dryness, and to deter slugs and snails, as wet fruit is prone to rotting easily.

6. Harvest happiness

Harvest strawberries when they exhibit a vibrant red colour all over, preferably during the warmest part of the day when they are at their most flavourful.

After the fruiting season, trim back the foliage, leaving only the central, young leaves intact. Remove runners unless you intend to propagate new plants, as having too many runners can drain resources and nutrition from the mother plant, affecting its growth.

Finally, enjoy your homegrown strawberries!