How to Easily Grow Delicious Strawberries from Seed

Did you know that you can grow strawberries from seed? I didn’t until a few years ago when I noticed seed packets for sale online.  I was blown away, but thought it would be difficult. Turns out, growing strawberries from seed is super easy and you can grow some delicious varieties that aren’t commonly found for sale as transplants. Growing strawberries from seed is also inexpensive and super fun!

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Reasons to Grow Strawberries From Seed

The main reason that I grow strawberries from seed is that it seems to be the only way to get access to delicious alpine varieties. The berries of alpine strawberries may be small, but they are packed full of flavor!  They are also very productive and I find that they produce earlier than the larger strawberries. In addition, the plant’s small size is perfect for containers and even fairy gardens! 

The second reason I grow strawberries from seed is cost.  It is often cheaper to grow your own plants from seed vs. buying transplants, and the elusive alpine strawberries are no exception.

Where to Buy Strawberry Seed

I have always had to order my strawberry seed online as I have never seen packets for sale in person.  Swallowtail Garden Seeds offers a few different varieties.  I am currently growing their Rainbow Treasure variety for the first time. Renee’s Garden offers both ‘Mignonette’ and the white ‘Heirloom Pineapple’.  I have grown both of those varieties with success. Botanical Interests sells a red and yellow blend allowing you to get both colors in one packet.  

How to Plant Strawberry Seeds

To ensure fruit the first year, plant your strawberry seeds in early spring.  Otherwise they can be started indoors at any time and then moved out to the garden.  Plant 2 seeds about ⅛ inch deep per each cell pack square or 2 inch container. Use quality seed starting mix, not outdoor soil.  Sometimes I will just use my favorite Foxfarm Ocean Forest potting soil.  I also use Jiffy seed starting mix.  

Always pre-moisten your seed starting mix, water after you lightly pack the cell or container with soil, and then plant your seeds. This way, you won’t have to water right away after planting and risk dislodging the seeds.  Cover with a humidity dome to make sure that the strawberry seeds stay moist.  Gently water if you notice them starting to dry out.

Be patient as strawberry seeds can take up to 28 days to sprout, but mine usually sprout in about a week at 70 degree home temperature.  It is best to place your sprouts under an LED light or grow light right away because they will grow quickly and can easily get leggy. Once the plants get growing and have a couple of sets of true leaves, clip out the weaker plant leaving one plant per cell. Fertilize the seedlings at half strength every couple of weeks. Once the strawberry seedlings are about 3 inches tall, slowly harden them off and plant outdoors in the ground or a pot. 

Notes on Caring for Strawberry Plants

Strawberries are one of the easiest plants to care for! They do best in shallow containers because they do not have a very deep root system (I always use my FoxFarm Ocean Forest soil). Be sure to follow the usual crown height guidelines for planting strawberries and avoid planting the crowns too deep or high.  Plant them right at the soil level they were growing. Give them at least 6 hours of sunlight and protect from hot afternoon sun in the hottest climates. Water when the top inch of soil dries out.

Alpine strawberries will not produce runners, but I find that mine reseed in their pots and multiply that way. You may need to divide clumps of alpine strawberries every couple of years if they get crowded in their pot. Additionally, alpine strawberries produce best for the first three years so plan on succession sowing.

Harvest alpine strawberries when they pull away from the stem easily. They will be soft and best eaten right away. If you leave them on the stem too long, the bugs usually find them and start eating holes in them. I don’t deal with any other pests on my strawberries. Most alpine strawberries are everbearing, but slow down during the hottest part of summer.

My strawberry plants usually stay green all year, but check your particular seed packet to be sure that variety is winter hardy in your area. Once spring arrives, wake them up with some organic fertilizer such as Neptune’s Harvest and then feed every month during the growing season.

Thank you so much for stopping by! Let me know in the comments if you have ever grown strawberries from seed, or if you plan to try. I also have blog posts on growing sweet peas, zinnias, and sunflowers from seed. Also, don’t forget to join me on Instagram for more gardening tips and inspiration!

Happy Gardening!

Heather

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