When to plant Strawberries in Birmingham

Fragaria × ananassa

Strawberry
Strawberry · Fragaria × ananassa

A hardy perennial fruit for most UK gardens. Plant in a sunny, sheltered spot with free-draining soil. A little light shade is fine. Keep it watered while the roots settle and the fruit swells.

25 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water

Add to garden

Calibrated to Birmingham · last frost ≈ 27 Apr

Plant out September to December, harvest June to July. Frost risk October to April.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Plant outNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYes
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNo

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

  1. 01

    Plant Runners

    11 Sept to 29 Dec

    Plant bare-root runners during 11th September - 29th December in well-prepared, free-draining soil. Set each crown at soil level. Space apart. Water in well. They fruit next summer.

    • If the ground sits wet, wait until it drains.

  2. 02

    Water to Establish Roots

    11 Sept to 29 Mar 2027 Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    From 11th September to 29th March 2027, keep the soil evenly moist while roots establish. Water at the base in dry spells. Keep the crown clear of mulch.

  3. 03

    Mulch and Feed

    13 Apr to 11 May 2027 Optional · repeat every 365 days

    From 13th April 2027, mulch around the plants with well-rotted compost or manure, leaving the crown clear. Do this once a year.

  4. 04

    Net Plants

    11 Jun to 11 Jul 2027

    Put netting over the plants from 11th June 2027, before the fruits start to colour. Keep it taut and well clear of the foliage. Take it off after picking.

  5. 05

    Harvest Fruit

    11 Jun to 11 Jul 2027

    Pick when the berries are fully red, in the warm part of the day, from 11th June 2027 through 11th July 2027. Summer-fruiting types crop then. Perpetual types can keep picking later.

    • Put straw under the fruit as they form.

  6. 06

    Remove Runners

    11 Jul to 26 Jul 2027

    After harvest, from 11th July 2027, cut old leaves on summer types. Lift or cut away most runners. Keep a few strong ones if you want to replace older plants.

Suggested varieties

Popular varieties of Strawberry to consider

Mara des Bois

A fragrant, late-cropping type with a good dessert flavour.

Cambridge Favourite

A reliable early variety for open ground and containers.

Hapil

A strong-cropping mid-season variety with large, glossy fruit.

Florence

A late-season variety that crops well and usually holds fruit for longer.

Strawberry guides by town

See how Strawberry timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.