The key to successfully growing strawberries actually begins in the preparation of the soil prior to planting. Ensure the area to be planted is well drained and mounted above existing ground level (about 7-8cm) by adding Daltons Compost along with Daltons Garden Time Strawberry Mix or 7in1 Strawberry Mix.

Mound the soil into rows and place strawberry plants in the ground approximately 10-15cm apart. Mounding the soil improves drainage and allows the soil to warm up quicker and maintain this warmth throughout the growing period. 

One of the secrets to successful strawberries is regular mulching so cover the areas between rows and plants with a layer of mulch. Explore our range of bagged mulch and bark products. This will provide a nice clean bed from which the strawberries will develop and avoids fruit rot from soil contact. 
 

During the early part of the growing season (October/November) before the fruit starts forming, the young plants side dress with Garden Time Strawberry Fertiliser or 7in1 Strawberry Fertiliser at three-to-four-week intervals. 

As the fruit starts begings ripening from early December onwards, discontinue fertilising the plants as we want them to produce fruit rather than leafy growth.