The weather often throws a spanner in the works for allotment gardeners. If, on the other hand, strawberries are planted in the greenhouse, with a little gardening skill and our tips you can look forward to an excellent harvest of the aromatic fruits. Or: How about a strawberry tree?
How do I plant and care for strawberries in the greenhouse?
To successfully grow strawberries in the greenhouse, first plant them outside and leave them in natural temperatures during the fall and winter. Place in the greenhouse from December, start at 10 °C and slowly increase to 20 °C. Water and fertilize regularly, feed the plants and harvest from April.
Excellent protection from wind and weather, strawberries can also be grown in a greenhouse without any problems. In terms of taste, there is hardly any difference to those grown outdoors, even if there is no real sunlight under glass. A particular advantage of this protected cultivation is that crop losses do not occur at all due to the rot that often occurs due to heavy rainfall andpests hardly have a chance to spoil your harvest.
The driving starts shortly before Christmas
Until then, the plants should remain outside either directly outdoors or previously planted in pots. The special thing about strawberry plants is that they first have to experience the real autumn and winter temperatures, otherwise they will sprout poorly at the beginning of spring and fruit later. From the second week of December they can go into the house, which should be as bright as possible inside. The greenhouse strawberries are now slowly acclimated to the milder temperatures starting at 10 °C, before a few dayslater the temperature can be increased to approx. 20 °C.
How to care for strawberries in the greenhouse
In the following weeks, the root balls of the plants must under no circumstances dry out. Watering moderately, but regularly, is sufficient. From the beginning of the growth phase, liquid fertilizer can be applied every seven to fourteen days to regulate the nutrient supply. In nature the bees do it, but with greenhouse strawberries you have to do it yourself: shake the plants or work on them with a fine-haired brush. This ensures fertilization, which should begin at the beginning of the flowering period. Then you have to wait until the first weeks of April and the first red fruits begin to become ready to harvest.
Alternative for small greenhouses: planting strawberry trees
As an autumn and winter bloomer, the evergreen Arbutus unedo is areal eye-catcher in the glass house and with its characteristic strawberry scent, especially when in bloom, can be noticed from meters away. Here is his short profile with the most important facts:
- Wintering temperature: 2 to 8 °C;
- Flower color: white to pale pink;
- Flowering period: November to early March;
- Cutting time: if necessary (topiary);
- Propagation: Head cuttings can be cut and planted over the summer; Sowing fruit seeds is also possible (20 to 22 °C);
- Special features: also tolerates light frost; Also suitable for the winter garden because of its beautiful look;
Tip
Insects like to go to greenhouses, especially when the weather is bad. The best way to combat aphids and spider mites that threaten your strawberries is to specifically release beneficial insects, such as predatory mites or parasitic wasps, which you can purchase from specialist garden shops.