How to grow strawberries in a raised bed

Strawberries are made for raised beds — the fruit hangs over the edge clean and off the soil, out of reach of many slugs, and right at picking height.

Quick facts

• Position: full sun, 6+ hours
• Spacing: 25–30 cm apart
• Tub depth: our 23 cm or 35 cm depth
• Time to harvest: fruits through spring and summer

When to plant: Plant runners in autumn or early spring. Strawberries are perennials, so they'll crop for a few seasons before you refresh them. Our free planting calendar shows the right months for your postcode.

Growing them in a raised bed: Plant with the crown right at soil level — too deep and they rot, too high and they dry out. A raised bed's drainage and height keep the fruit clean and the slugs at bay.

Watering and feeding: Keep moisture even, especially as fruit swells, but water the soil, not the fruit, to avoid rot. A drip system is perfect. Feed while fruiting.

Common pests: keep an eye out for slugs and snails, aphids, two-spotted mite and earwigs. Most are easily managed — see our safe pest guide.

Common diseases: the main ones are powdery mildew, leaf spot and rust. Good airflow, morning watering and steady moisture prevent most.

Companion plants: Borage, lettuce and spinach are good companions; keep strawberries away from brassicas. See our companion planting guide.

Harvest and storage: Pick when the berries are fully red, ideally in the cool of the morning — they're sweetest then and don't keep long, so eat them fresh.

Plan your patch: our free planting calendar shows what to plant now where you live. Ready to grow? Browse our raised garden beds or build your own with the garden bed builder.

Image: Ivar Leidus, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.