Strawberries, like most crops, can be propagated not only vegetatively but also by seedlings. To ensure strawberry seedlings are ready on time, sow them on time. Below, we'll learn how to calculate the optimal planting time.
When to plant strawberry seedlings?
To ensure strawberries thrive in a new location, gardeners take into account the entire range of factors affecting their growth and development. They consider not only the climate and berry variety, but also the position of the celestial bodies.
- ✓ Check the expiration date of the seeds, as old seeds may have low germination rates.
- ✓ Make sure the seeds have been stored properly: in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.
Depending on the region
To ensure strawberry seedlings are ready on time, plant the seeds in containers in late February or early March. When choosing a sowing date, consider the region's climate and the time it takes for the seedlings to reach maturity—approximately 2-3 months.
- × Avoid using soil with high nitrogen content for sowing strawberry seeds, as this may result in excessive foliage growth at the expense of fruiting.
- × Avoid over-watering the soil when sowing, as this may cause the seeds to rot.
Strawberry seeds take a long time to germinate – the first shoots appear 30-40 days after sowing.
The harsher the climate, the later the seedlings should be planted. Approximate sowing schedule by region:
- in the middle zone sowing begins in mid-January, the deadline is mid-February;
- in the south of Russia Sow strawberries at any time from January to March;
- in the Urals and Siberia – from the end of February to the end of March.
- ✓ Provide the seedlings with sufficient lighting, at least 12 hours a day, using phytolamps if necessary.
- ✓ Maintain the temperature in the room with seedlings within 18-22°C for optimal growth.
In northern regions, it's recommended to grow strawberries indoors. When grown without cover, they grow small and sour.
According to the lunar calendar
Most gardeners take the moon's influence into account when carrying out their agricultural practices. This is especially important when planting crops. It is recommended to sow strawberries during the waxing moon.
Lunar calendar for sowing strawberries:
| Month | When to sow strawberries? | When to stop sowing? |
| January | from 5 to 8 | 2-4, 9 to 13, 24 to 26, 30 and 31 |
| February | 1-5, 28 and 29 | from 8 to 10, from 21 to 24 |
| March | 1-3, from 27 to 31 | from 7 to 10, from 19 to 21, from 23 to 25 |
| April | 5-6, from 25 to 27 | 3 and 4, 7 to 9, 15 to 17, 20 to 24, 30 |
Planting strawberries is permitted during the waning moon—these are neutral days. However, no gardening should be done during the full moon or new moon.
Astrologers advise taking the position of the stars into account to achieve the highest possible harvest. Zodiac signs favorable for sowing/planting strawberries:
- Fish;
- Scales;
- Scorpion;
- Cancer;
- Taurus.
All other signs are unfavorable. Only in Leo are transplants and propagation permitted.
Depending on the variety
| Name | Ripening period | Disease resistance | Fruit size |
|---|---|---|---|
| White soul | Early | High | Average |
| Baron Solemacher | Average | Average | Large |
| Seasons | Late | Low | Small |
The later the strawberry variety, the longer it takes for the plant to develop, including at the seedling stage. The early maturity of the variety is taken into account when determining the sowing date.
Strawberry seed packaging lists the ripening period in days—this makes it easy to determine which category the variety belongs to. Early strawberries ripen in late May, mid-season strawberries in the first ten days of June, and late strawberries in the second half of July.
When to sow different strawberry varieties for seedlings:
- early – from February 15;
- mid-season – from March 15;
- late – from April 10-15.
The data applies to central Russia. For specific regions, adjust for climate.
According to breeders, the best varieties of garden strawberries for seedlings are White Soul, Baron Solemacher, and Seasons.
If garden strawberries are grown in heated greenhouses, sowing can be done at any time, regardless of the early maturity of the variety or the climate of the region.
An experienced gardener will explain how to plant strawberry seedlings in the following video:
Timing of planting in open ground
The seedlings are planted after a week of hardening off – the strawberries are regularly taken outside, gradually increasing the time spent outdoors. The conditions for planting strawberry seedlings in open ground are:
- the soil warmed up to a temperature of +14…+17 °C;
- the seedlings must have at least 6 leaves.
- • Start hardening off the seedlings 7-10 days before planting them in open ground, gradually increasing the time spent outdoors.
- • Avoid direct sunlight during the first days of hardening off to prevent leaf burns.
The approximate timing for planting strawberries in the ground depends on climatic conditions:
- in a temperate climate seedlings are planted from the second half of April to the second half of May;
- in the south countries carry out the landing earlier - from the beginning of April;
- in the northern regions - since the beginning of May.
In any case, make adjustments for weather conditions. Don't rush planting if it's cold. When there's a risk of frost, it's recommended to cover the seedlings at night. Plastic film also helps protect young plants from sunburn or heavy rain.
When is it better to plant strawberries – in spring or autumn?
Garden strawberries are planted in the fall or spring. Gardeners often debate which season is best. Those who favor fall planting argue that strawberries planted in the spring will only yield a harvest the following year.
Advantages of autumn planting:
- a lot of planting material - over the summer, strawberries produce runners with rosettes;
- the seedlings have time to take root well before the cold weather sets in, as the weather is favorable with moderate warmth;
- The first harvest can already be collected in summer.
Gardeners who prefer spring strawberry planting claim that the crop has a better chance of establishing itself during the warmer months. And this is true—not all seedlings planted in the fall survive the winter. However, spring planting also has a drawback: young seedlings don't tolerate the summer heat well.
You can learn about planting strawberry seedlings in open ground from the following video:
The success of the future harvest depends on how accurately you calculate the timing of your strawberry plantings. To avoid mistakes in seedling readiness, try to take into account as many factors as possible that influence planting time.