More than 28,000kg (equating to over two million) strawberries will have been eaten in just two weeks by the time Wimbledon comes to an end on Sunday. Feeling inspired to start your own summer harvest to rival that?
These perennials are super easy to grow at home in containers and raised beds. They have a long season, and there are still growers online selling plants that may fruit this summer with luck. Look for late-season or repeat-fruiting (everbearing) varieties.
How to grow
A south-facing window box is ideal, but anywhere that gets the sun for more than half the day should produce a decent crop. For shady spaces, try the alpine or woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca), which is resilient in less light. You may need to protect fruit from hungry pests and it’s best that it doesn’t touch the ground as it can easily rot.
Which variety?
Not all strawberries are equal: some will fruit all season, others have been bred to fruit at a specific time. Select a range for the longest season. Fragaria vesca has small fruits, which, while delicious can be fiddly to pick. At the opposite extreme “Sweet Colossus” produces huge fruits, but you may only get five or six per plant.
Post-summer care
Water well, even after they have finished fruiting, as the plants will continue growing and likely give you a bigger harvest the following year. This makes them perfect for growing in containers Strawberry plants clone themselves on runners after fruiting, in a similar way to spider plants. These can then be separated from the mother plant and grown on.
PYO locations
Rather someone else grow them? Pick your own strawberries at these farms in and around London, all within 10-15 minutes’ walk of a station.
North
Parkside Farm Pick Your Own
Advanced bookings only. Tues-Sun, train from Finsbury Park, or via the Piccadilly line.
West
Copas Farms The Fruit Fields
Iver farm location open Tues-Sun, via Elizabeth line to Langley.
South-east
Hewitts Farm
Check website for late July opening date, train from Victoria to Knockholt.
