It's March and even though I've been gardening year round, Spring always signals the real beginning of garden life for me. The soil warms, the seeds begin to move, and little green shoots start appearing everywhere. This month is one of my favorite planting days because strawberry season officially begins in my garden.
If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I grow most of my plants in containers. It keeps things manageable, flexible, and incredibly productive in small spaces. But this year I’m doing something different.
This year… we’re going strawberry crazy.
From One Crate in 2017 to a Full Strawberry Garden
I can remember growing strawberries back in 2017 in something very simple — just a small crate. At the time they were more of a side fruit in my garden. A little treat here and there. Something sweet to snack on while tending to everything else.
But strawberries proved something important over the years.
They are reliable, resilient, healing and incredibly generous plants.
Even with minimal attention, they return year after year, sending out runners, multiplying, and quietly expanding their little territory in the garden.
Fast forward to 2026, and my strawberries are no longer just a side crop. This year they’re getting the center stage they deserve.
My Plan to Triple the Strawberry Harvest
Usually I grow strawberries in hanging baskets. Right now I have about nine baskets already established, and they’ve been producing beautifully year after year.
But this season I'm changing my approach.
Instead of letting several plants crowd each basket, I'm going to:
• Divide the existing plants
• Limit each basket to one strong root system
• Replant the extra runners and divisions everywhere
Yes… everywhere.
My plan is to plant strawberries:
• under larger plants
• around containers
• along edges
• tucked into empty soil spaces
Strawberries make wonderful living groundcover, and they thrive underneath taller plants where the soil stays slightly shaded and moist.
The goal this year is simple:
Triple the harvest.
Seeds vs Transplants: What I’ve Learned
Over the years I’ve experimented with both starting strawberries from seed and planting transplants.
Both methods work, but they perform very differently.
Growing Strawberries from Seed
Starting from seed can be rewarding, but it requires patience.
Strawberry seeds need:
• light to germinate
• steady moisture
• several weeks to sprout
• a full season to establish
They grow slower in the first year and typically produce very little fruit at the beginning.
Seeds are great for experimenting with new varieties, which I'll definitely be doing, but they take time. On the other hand.
Growing from Transplants or Runners is immediate pleasure!
Transplants are where strawberries really shine.
Runner plants already have established roots, so they:
• grow faster
• produce fruit sooner
• adapt quickly to containers
• multiply rapidly
In my experience, transplants outperform seeds every time for reliable production.
And the best part? Once strawberries settle into your garden, they tend to return year after year, expanding naturally.
How to Grow Strawberries Successfully
Strawberries are surprisingly easy to grow when a few basic conditions are met.
Sunlight
Strawberries thrive in full sun, ideally 6–8 hours per day.
A little afternoon shade can actually help in very hot climates, especially when grown in containers.
Soil
They prefer rich, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter.
A simple mix works well:
• quality potting soil
• compost
• a little worm castings
This gives them the nutrients they need for strong growth and fruiting.
Water
Strawberries like consistent moisture, but they do not like soggy soil.
Containers should drain well, and watering should be steady rather than excessive.
Spacing
Crowding reduces fruit production.
Each plant needs space for airflow and for sending out runners. That’s why I’m limiting each basket to one main root system this year.
Managing Garden Pests Naturally
Strawberries are sweet — and unfortunately pests think so too. One thing strawberry growers quickly learn is that slugs and small insects absolutely love strawberries as much as we do. Because my garden is mostly containers and natural systems, I prefer simple organic methods to control pests.
The most common visitors are:
- · Slugs
- · Snails
- · Aphids
- · Mites
- · Whiteflies
- · Ants
Bug Control
These critters love strawberries because the fruit sits low to the ground.
Some simple natural controls include:
Crushed eggshells
Sprinkled around the base of plants. The sharp edges discourage crawling pests.
Diatomaceous earth
A natural powder that damages soft-bodied insects.
Beer traps
A shallow container of beer placed near plants attracts slugs and traps them.
Copper tape
Placed around containers to create a barrier slugs avoid.
Other Helpful Garden Tricks
• Keep mulch light around the fruit so it doesn’t stay too damp
• Harvest berries frequently so pests don't find overripe fruit
• Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings
A healthy garden ecosystem usually balances itself over time.
Over the years I’ve used a few natural recipes that work incredibly well in my garden. Instead of filling the entire article with recipes, I created a printable guide you can download.
The Healing Power of Strawberries
Strawberries aren’t just delicious — they are incredibly beneficial for the body.
They are naturally rich in:
• Vitamin C
• Antioxidants
• Polyphenols
• Fiber
These compounds help support:
• immune health
• heart health
• healthy skin
• reduced inflammation
• improved digestion
Strawberries have even been studied for their potential role in supporting blood sugar balance and protecting cells from oxidative stress.
For something so sweet, they offer a remarkable amount of nourishment.
Slug Control
Slugs love strawberries because the fruit sits low to the ground.
Some simple natural controls include:
Crushed eggshells
Sprinkled around the base of plants. The sharp edges discourage crawling pests.
Diatomaceous earth
A natural powder that damages soft-bodied insects.
Beer traps
A shallow container of beer placed near plants attracts slugs and traps them.
Copper tape
Placed around containers to create a barrier slugs avoid.
Other Helpful Garden Tricks
• Keep mulch light around the fruit so it doesn’t stay too damp
• Harvest berries frequently so pests don't find overripe fruit
• Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings
A healthy garden ecosystem usually balances itself over time.
The Healing Power of Strawberries
Strawberries aren’t just delicious — they are incredibly beneficial for the body.
They are naturally rich in:
• Vitamin C
• Antioxidants
• Polyphenols
• Fiber
These compounds help support:
• immune health
• heart health
• healthy skin
• reduced inflammation
• improved digestion
Strawberries have even been studied for their potential role in supporting blood sugar balance and protecting cells from oxidative stress.
For something so sweet, they offer a remarkable amount of nourishment, so grow yourself some strawberries. They grow everywhere, small spaces no problems.
Love and Light!
“Download the Free Natural Pest Control for berries, herbs and veggies.