Are you thinking about growing your own strawberries? If so, you may be wondering how long it takes to grow them from seed. In this post, we’ll look at the timeline for growing strawberries from seed, as well as some tips on how to get started. Keep reading to learn more!
Strawberries are such a wonderful fruit to have in a home garden. One year I decided to buy 75 strawberry bare roots which was one of the best things I did in the garden. In previous years the strawberries we tried growing weren’t successful. We occasionally bought a plant from the garden center. But these bare roots have been great producers and we’ve been so happy with the results. My recommendation for growing strawberries is to get bare roots.
This post is about growing strawberries from seeds though. I’m including information about growing from seed in case that’s the route someone wants to go. It can take more time and effort compared to buying established strawberry plants from the store. Feeling an immense sense of pride when harvesting your first homegrown berry is absolutely worth it!
In this blog post we’ll explore all you need to know about growing strawberries from seed to understand what you’re getting into and be successful homesteaders or gardeners in no time.
This post is all about how long does it take to grow strawberries from seed.
[RELATED POST: What You Need to Know About the Different Types of Strawberries]
Table of Contents
Strawberry Growing Stages
What’s interesting about strawberries is that the seeds are on the outside. They’re tucked into the flesh of the fruit. There are 8 steps to go through during the strawberry growing stage:
- Seed
- Plant the seed
- Germination of the seed
- Sprout
- Seedling
- Seedling grows into a plant
- Plant grows flowers, signaling fruit is coming
- It reaches maturity and grows fruit
Are Strawberries Hard to Grow From Seed
Growing strawberries from seed is harder than it would be to grow from either a bare root or an established plant. Not only does the strawberry plant have to grow from a seed, but it needs to be established and mature enough to start producing fruit. However, it’s not difficult and not impossible.
How long do strawberry seeds take to germinate
To germinate strawberry seeds it can take days or weeks. (It usually takes anywhere from 7 days to 6 weeks.) Before the seeds are sown, they need to be stratified. Stratification means exposure to cold temperatures. The exposure is considered a pre-treatment to stimulate them to help with the germination process by breaking the seed’s dormancy. We can replicate stratification by placing the seeds in the freezer and then slowly warming them up. In doing so, it mimics what would happen if the seeds were to over-winter in the soil.
To stratify the seeds, place them in an airtight contained in the freezer.
Strawberry seed germination temperature
By placing the strawberry seeds in the freezer, they’re being exposed to freezing temperatures. After they’ve spent 3 to 4 weeks in the freezer, the seeds need to be brought up to room temperature. Once they’re at room temperature, they are planted in soil. To germinate, the temperature needs to be between 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, or 18 to 24 degrees Celsius.
Tip: How to germinate strawberries seeds in a paper towel
Instead of putting the seeds in a moist medium, or seed starting mix, after stratification you can opt to germinate them with a paper towel. Using a paper towel usually provides a faster germination rate.
Here’s how to germinate them with a paper towel in 7 easy steps:
- Space out the seeds evenly on one half of a piece of paper towel. They can be placed relatively close together since we’re just trying to get them to germinate.
- Fold the other half of the paper towel over the seeds to cover them.
- Add water to the paper towel just enough to moisten it. It should only be damp, not soaking wet.
- After the paper towel has been dampened, place the paper towel into a ziplock bag. The paper towel must lay neatly and flat in the bag.
- Seal the bag, but be sure to get as much air out of the bag as possible
- Label the bag with the seed variety and date.
- Place the bag on a window sill.
Don’t allow the paper towel to dry out. Paper towels allow more light to reach the seeds in comparison to soil, which is why they may germinate faster. It can take anywhere from 4 to 14 days to see sprouts.
When Do Strawberries Bloom
After you see the sprouts appear, it can take up to 4 months or longer until there are flowers and eventually fruit. During this time, each plant will go through various growth stages. The most crucial is the forming of the ‘crown’ at the base of runners. The forming of the crown triggers flowering and fruiting. If you’re looking to maximize your yield – setting out new strawberry runner plants each year is key! So although it may seem daunting at first, all that wait is worth it!
How long do strawberries take to grow after flowering
Once the strawberry plant starts to flower, it’s crucial to make sure it has ample sunlight, water, and nutrients.Fruit is ready to harvest between 4 to 6 weeks.
[RELATED POST: How to Grow Strawberries in Your Backyard]
Fruit Production: Do Strawberries Produce Fruit Their First Year
As with most fruit plants, there is a period of time before it starts to produce fruit. Fruit plants have to become well established until that happens. Strawberry plants take about a year to truly start producing fruit. Therefore, strawberries are really an investment for future fruit.
What Month is Best to Plant Strawberries
The best time to plant strawberries is during the spring when you’re able to work the soil. Strawberry plants tolerate cold weather, but the soil can be very hard and even frozen, depending on your climate and planting zone. Plants are ready to harvest (again depending on your climate and planting zone) in late spring (late May to early June).
How Many Strawberries Can I Expect From One Plant
If strawberry plants are provided what they need to thrive, each plant can produce about 1 quart of fruit. Since strawberries tend to be on the more expensive side, it’s well worth spending the time and money to grow them in your garden.
Recap
- Growing strawberries from seed can be more time-consuming and difficult than buying established strawberry plants, but it is possible.
- Strawberry growing stages include planting the seed, germination of the seed, sprouting a seedling that grows into a plant with flowers, and when it reaches maturity it grows fruit.
- To germinate strawberry seeds it can take days or weeks (usually between 7 days to 6 weeks). The process requires stratification by exposing them to cold temperatures which replicates what would happen if they were over-wintering in soil outside. Optimal temperature for germination is between 65 – 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18 – 24 degrees Celsius).
- After seeing sprouts appear, it may take up to 4 months before there are flowers and eventually fruit ready for harvest. From the time the flowers bloom, it’s then another 4 – 6 weeks. Fruit production usually begins during the second year when plants have become well established.
- One plant can produce about 1 quart of berries each season.
- Planting strawberries is best done in spring when soil has thawed enough for working; harvesting times vary based on climate zone as well as other environmental factors such as sunlight exposure and water/nutrient availability.
