How To Grow Strawberries In A Greenhouse

Whether served with cream at Wimbledon or at a summer picnic, nothing says summer like fresh and delicious strawberries. Growing this quintessentially English fruit in a greenhouse has several advantages over growing outdoors too!

There are several different types of strawberry plant available – the perpetual fruiting, summer fruiting and alpine varieties. Perpetual fruiting strawberry plants will form their flowers in summer and start to crop in late autumn, over a long period. The alpine variety can be grown in cooler temperatures, often in the shade, and don’t require as much care. Summer fruiting strawberry plants produce large fruits, and you’ll see them flower in spring for a summer crop – this is probably the most popular type of plant in the UK.

‘Cambridge Favourite’ (AGM) is a popular and reliable variety of strawberry, and does well under glass.

Planting Your Strawberries

Strawberries need well-drained soils, as they’re shallow-rooting plants, and because of those shallow roots, the soil should be kept weed-free to avoid competition with other plants.

The soil or compost you use should be alkaline, high in organic matter and nutrient and mineral rich. When growing in a greenhouse, plant your strawberry plants individually in containers or growbags.

Growing Your Strawberries

Strawberries need plenty of sunlight and dry conditions in order to thrive, which is one of the great advantages of growing them under glass. Aim to give them as much sunlight as possible, which should be at least six hours a day; you can help ensure this by keeping the panes clean and clear.

Especially in the warmer months, strawberries do require frequent water, because those shallow roots can dry out quickly. That being said, they thrive in hot and dry conditions, so be careful not to overwater, which can lead to the soil becoming waterlogged and the fruit rotting.

A balanced fertiliser should be used every fortnight, which should be switched to a liquid fertiliser containing potash once flowering has begun to help the fruits form. As members of the rose family, a rose fertiliser could be used instead.

Growing in a greenhouse will require hand pollination. Use a brush to gently spread pollen between flowers, and check up on them frequently to ensure successful pollination has occurred.

As soon as the fruits are ripe, with a full colour, they’re ready to harvest. Pick them as soon as possible to ensure the best taste, bearing in mind that they’ll also rot quickly if left on the plant.

If you wish to keep your plants until next year, they need to be in a cool greenhouse or in a cold frame over autumn and winter in order for the cold period to initiate the following summer’s flowering.

Strawberry varieties suitable for a greenhouse

Here are some popular strawberry varieties suitable for greenhouse cultivation:

1. Albion: Albion is a popular choice for greenhouse strawberry production. It’s an everbearing variety known for its large, sweet berries with excellent flavour. Albion strawberries are disease-resistant and produce fruit consistently throughout the growing season.
2. Seascape: Seascape strawberries are another everbearing variety suitable for greenhouse growing. They produce large, firm, and sweet berries with a slightly tart undertone. These strawberries are known for their disease resistance and adaptability to container gardening.
3. San Andreas: San Andreas is a relatively new variety that has gained popularity in greenhouse cultivation. It produces large, firm, and sweet strawberries. This variety is well-suited for vertical gardening systems and can thrive in the controlled environment of a greenhouse.
4. Tristar: Tristar is a day-neutral strawberry variety that performs well in greenhouses. It yields small to medium-sized berries with a sweet and tangy flavour. Tristar strawberries are known for their consistent production and resistance to common strawberry diseases.
5. Fresca: Fresca strawberries are prized for their sweet, aromatic flavour and medium-sized, deep red berries. They are well-suited for greenhouse cultivation and are known to produce high yields.
6. Quinault: Quinault strawberries are a popular choice for greenhouse gardeners due to their sweet and juicy berries. They are day-neutral, meaning they produce fruit consistently throughout the growing season, making them a reliable option for greenhouse cultivation.
7. Eversweet: As the name suggests, Eversweet strawberries are known for their sweet flavour. They produce small to medium-sized berries and are suitable for greenhouse growing due to their everbearing nature.
8. Cambridge Favourite: Produces medium-sized soft berries with a good flavour in mid-season. A good producer of runners it also has excellent disease resistance

When selecting strawberry varieties for your greenhouse, consider factors such as taste preferences, disease resistance, and the available space and growing conditions. Additionally, proper care, including temperature, humidity, and pollination management, will help you maximize your greenhouse strawberry harvests and enjoy a steady supply of fresh, homegrown berries throughout the year.

Common Problems With Growing Strawberries

Growing in a greenhouse will reduce the risk of pests like slugs and birds, but several diseases can afflict greenhouse-grown strawberries.

Strawberry black eye occurs when frost damages the flower of the plant, the central part of which will turn black, resulting in the plant being unable to set fruit. Although greenhouses will reduce the risk of frost, still take measures to protect your plants from the cold.

One of the main things you need to consider when growing in a greenhouse is that your strawberries aren’t growing in damp conditions. Grey mould, which can affect many plants in a greenhouse, occurs when conditions become too damp or humid without proper ventilation. Ensuring your greenhouse is ventilated properly and that your plants aren’t overcrowded helps avoid grey mould.

Also look out for red steel rot, identified by stunted leaves and red discolouration on the root. Help avoid red steel rot by keeping soil well-drained.

Following these tips will have you on your way to growing these delicious fruits. Check out our blog for more growing guides and hints – like how to grow tomatoes in a greenhouse, or our guide to growing grapes.