Strawberry

When to plant/sow in zone:

Requirements: Full sun; don't allow to dry out; mulch under plant; feed when flowering and fruiting

Soil: Well-drained soil enriched with compost and/or well-rotted manure or organic pellets.

How to start: RUNNERS: Bare-root runners are available in winter. They look dead but they're not! Dig 10-15cm deep x 20cm wide holes, spaced 30cm apart, or a 10-15cm deep x 20cm wide trench. Create a mound at the bottom of each hole or at 30cm spacings along the trench. Soak the runners for 5-10mins and place one runner on each mound, spreading the roots evenly over the mound. Cover each runner so the growing point of the plant is just above the soil surface. Water in well and mulch around the plants with straw. SEEDLINGS: Plant in the ground, spacing them 30cm apart, in rows 60-80cm apart. Water them in and mulch around the plants with straw. SEEDS: Sow in punnets into seed-raising mix, 3mm deep. Keep moist. Germinates in 20-50 days - be sure they don't dry out. When seedlings are big enough to handle, plant them in the ground as per instructions above. They can be planted in a 20-30cm diameter pot into premium potting mix.

How to grow: Keep moist and mulch with straw. Apply seaweed solution or liquid fertiliser fortnightly. Apply organic fertiliser pellets monthly while plants are flowering and fruiting.

When to harvest: Start harvesting fruit from 12 weeks. Check for ripe fruit every 2–3 days. Pick by cutting the stem. Store unwashed fruit in the fridge for 3–5 days.

Troubleshooting: Slugs and snails; aphids; caterpillars, cutworms; downy mildew; grey mould; rats, possums and lizards, strawberry rot